WO2009027696A1 - Footwear with wheels and braking dependent lighting - Google Patents

Footwear with wheels and braking dependent lighting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009027696A1
WO2009027696A1 PCT/GB2008/002939 GB2008002939W WO2009027696A1 WO 2009027696 A1 WO2009027696 A1 WO 2009027696A1 GB 2008002939 W GB2008002939 W GB 2008002939W WO 2009027696 A1 WO2009027696 A1 WO 2009027696A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
footwear
article
brake
braking position
frame
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/002939
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Grossman Limited H
Martin Grossman
Original Assignee
Martin Grossman
Grossman Limited H
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Martin Grossman, Grossman Limited H filed Critical Martin Grossman
Publication of WO2009027696A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009027696A1/en

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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
    • A63C17/26—Roller skates; Skate-boards with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
    • 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
    • A63C17/14—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches
    • 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
    • A63C17/14—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches
    • A63C17/1436—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches contacting the ground
    • 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
    • A63C17/02—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged in two pairs
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
    • A63C2203/14—Lighting means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved article of footwear such as a skate or skates or similar type article of footwear comprising rolling means or wheels.
  • the invention also relates to a pair of such articles.
  • the invention particularly, though not exclusively, relates to an inline skate or pair of inline skates or the like incorporating a brake light and/or novelty illumination or lighting effect.
  • Roller skates have undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years. This is because of their increased use not only for recreational purposes but also as a fast and convenient means of transportation.
  • roller skates were of the inline design, but these were later superseded by quad skates, the design of which made skating curved edges easier.
  • the present invention addresses a number of problems in the prior art. For example: ease of manufacture; visibility of the skate/skater, in use; comprehension of a skater's actions, in use, e.g-. slowing down or braking.
  • skate or the like may be more desirable to a user, and also assist in making the user and his/her intentions (e.g. braking) more visible to others. This may contribute to improved safety for the wearer or user and for others.
  • an article of footwear such as a skate, comprising rolling means and at least one brake light or illumination means.
  • the article of footwear is a roller skate .
  • the article of footwear is an inline skate.
  • the skate may comprise a plurality of rolling means or wheels disposed in longitudinal relation to one another.
  • the article of footwear may comprise a base or frame having means, such as a recess (es), for receiving the rolling means.
  • the article of footwear may comprise a boot or shoe means which may be attached to the base or frame.
  • the receiving means may be provided on or adjacent a sole portion of the article of footwear.
  • the article may comprise at least a pair of front rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another and a pair of rear rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another.
  • the article may comprise a so-called quad skate.
  • the inline skate may have a plurality, e.g. two, three, four, five or more, wheels arranged in a line.
  • the article of footwear comprises a brake means such as a brake means, preferably a rear brake means .
  • the brake means is provided at or near a heel of the article of footwear.
  • the brake means comprises a brake pad.
  • the brake means may be biased by biasing means to a non-braking position.
  • a gap between the brake means and a surface such as the ground upon which the rolling means are placed there is provided a gap between the brake means and a surface such as the ground upon which the rolling means are placed, while in a braking position or state the brake means may contact, e.g. frictionally, a surface such as ground, e.g. by pivoting the article of footwear rearwardly, e.g. around a rearmost rolling means.
  • the brake means may, in use, be depressed into a braking position by a user forcing the brake means against a surface such as the ground. Removal of the user's pressure from the brake means may cause the brake means to return to the non-braking position.
  • the user may apply the force by forcing their heel against a surface such as the ground, and/or lifting their toes or the front of their foot up from the surface, such as the ground .
  • Movement of the brake means to the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the braking position may cause the at least one brake light or illumination means to illuminate or switch on, e.g. constantly or intermittently or flash. Movement of the brake means from the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the non-braking position may cause the at least one brake light or illumination means to not illuminate or switch off.
  • the at least one brake light may comprise at least one LED.
  • the brake light (s) may be of any colour, particularly one colour, e.g. red, or alternatively a number of colours, e.g. red, yellow and blue.
  • the at least one brake light or illumination means may be provided so as to be rear facing on the article of footwear.
  • the at least one brake light may be provided on the base or frame of the article of footwear.
  • the article of footwear may comprise means for controlling the at least one brake light, e.g. to switch the at least one brake light on when braking and off when not braking .
  • the at least one brake light may be provided so as to be rear facing on the frame .
  • the brake means and the at least one brake light may be provided on a rear portion of the frame.
  • the brake means may be provided on a lower facing portion of the rear portion of the frame.
  • the lower facing portion of the rear portion of the frame may comprise an aperture for movably receiving the brake means.
  • the brake means may be moveable between a non-braking position and a braking position.
  • the non-braking position may be defined by biasing the brake means away from the frame.
  • the braking position may be defined by a protrusion or widened portion of the brake means which may abut an outer end of the aperture when braking.
  • the at least one brake light may be provided on a rear faces of the rear portion of the frame.
  • the rear face may be inclined at an angle, e.g. an acute upward angle to a sole of the article of footwear.
  • the rear face may be inclined at an angle, e.g. an acute upward angle to a like extending between rolling means.
  • the rear face may be included at an angle, e.g. acute angle, to the horizontal and/or vertical, when the article of footwear is in a non-braking or rolling disposition.
  • the rear face may be inclined substantially vertically or more vertically when the article of footwear is in a braking disposition.
  • the at least one brake light may be visible to an observer positioned to the rear of a wearer of the article of footwear or skater when braking.
  • the at least one brake light and/or the rear portion of the frame may be provided rearward of a heel portion of the boot or shoe means .
  • the at least one brake light and/or the rear portion of the frame may be provided rearward of a rearmost rolling means.
  • the rear portion may extend between a heel of the article of footwear to a rear of the article of footwear.
  • the brake light may be provided behind a transparent or translucent cover, e.g. a plastic cover.
  • the brake light may be coloured red, e.g. the cover may be tinted, e.g. red.
  • the cover may comprise one or more lens and/or light diffusion means.
  • the article of footwear may comprise electronic means activated by movement of the brake means.
  • the electronic means may comprise circuit means completed by movement of the brake means to a braking position and broken by movement of the brake means to a non-braking position.
  • the electronic means may comprise a switch means having a switch member biased into contact with the brake means .
  • the switch means when the brake member is in the non-braking position, the switch means is in a first or retracted position, and the switch means is in an "off" state, while when the brake member is in the braking position the switch member is in a second or extended position, and the switch means is in an "on" state.
  • the electronic means may comprise circuit means, which may include, for example e.g. one or more batteries, and the at least one brake light.
  • the batteries may be provided in a compartment, e.g. below or within the frame of the article of footwear, e.g. within an elongate slot therein.
  • the electronic means/compartment may comprise an on/off switch for the electronic means.
  • the brake means may comprise means for limiting movement of the braking means so as to define a braking position of the brake means .
  • an article of footwear such as an inline skate, comprising rolling means, a user- operable rear brake and at least one brake light operable by operation of the rear brake.
  • a pair of articles of footwear or skates comprising first and second articles of footwear, wherein at least one and preferably both of the articles of footwear comprise articles of footwear according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 a side view of a first (left foot) article of footwear or skate according to an embodiment of the present invention in a non-braking position;
  • Figure 2 a side view of a second (right foot) article of footwear or skate according to the embodiment of the present invention in a non-braking position;
  • Figure 3 a partial rear view from above and to one side of one skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
  • Figure 4 a close up side view of a heel or rear portion of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
  • Figure 5 a cross-sectional side view of braking parts and braking mechanism of the skate of Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 a close up rear view from above and to one side of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
  • Figure 7 a close up view from above of a rear of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
  • Figure 8 a close up rear view from above and to one side of the skate of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 9 a close up side view of a heel or rear portion of the skate of Figure 1;
  • Figure 10 a close up rear view of the skate of
  • Figure 1 and Figure 11 a circuit diagram of circuitry of the skate of Figure 1 (or of Figure 2) .
  • Each article of footwear 5,5' comprises an in-line skate having at least one brake light or illumination means 10.
  • Article 5 comprises a left foot article, while article 5' comprises a right foot article.
  • the articles 5,5' are substantially the same, but mirror images of one another, each having a brake light.
  • the article of footwear 5 is a skate 15, particularly a roller skate, more particularly an inline skate.
  • the skate 15 has a plurality of wheels including front wheel 21, second wheel 22, third wheel 23, and rear wheel 24.
  • the skate 15 comprises a frame 30, a boot or shoe 35, and a brake means 40.
  • the brake means 40 comprises a rear brake means 45.
  • the brake member 45 is biased by biasing means (not shown) such as a spring to a non-braking position.
  • the brake means 40 comprises a brake pad.
  • the brake means 40 in use, is depressed into a braking position by a user forcing the brake means 40 against the ground. Removal of the user's pressure from the brake means 40 causes the brake means 40 to return to the non-braking position.
  • Movement of the brake means 40 to the braking position and/or maintenance of brake means 40 at the braking position causes the at least one brake light 10 to illuminate or switch on.
  • Movement of the brake means 40 from the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means 40 at the non-braking position causes the at least one brake light 10 to not illuminate or switch off.
  • the at least one brake light 10 comprises at least one LED, and in this embodiment three LEDs 50, 55, 60.
  • the at least one brake light 10 is mounted to be rear facing on the article 5.
  • the at least one brake light 10 is provided on a rear portion 65 of a frame 70 of the skate 15.
  • the article 5 comprises electronic means 75 activated by movement of the brake means 40.
  • the electronic means 75 comprises a circuit means completed by movement of the brake means 40 to a braking position.
  • the electronic means 75 comprise a switch means 80 having a switch member 85 biased into contact with the brake means 40.
  • the electronic means 75 comprises circuit means, including, for example, one or more batteries 76, and the at least one brake light 10.
  • the batteries are provided in a compartment 90, e.g. within the frame 30 of the skate 15, e.g. within an elongate slot therein.
  • the compartment 90 includes an on/off switch (not shown) for the electronic means .
  • the brake means 40 comprises means 46 for limiting movement of the brake means 40. When a user applies pressure to a heel portion of the article of footwear 5, the brake member 45 moves from the non-braking position to the braking position, movement of the brake member 45 being limited by movement limiting means 46 comprising protrusion 47 formed in a rear face of the brake member 45, and which abuts the frame 30 when in the braking position.
  • the brake member 45 can be made from a resilient material, e.g. rubber or the like. A lower surface of the brake member 45 can be textured to facilitate grip when braking.
  • the article of footwear 5 comprises means 100 for controlling the at least one brake light 10, i.e. to switch the at least one brake light on when braking and off when not braking.
  • the at least one brake light 10 is provided so as to be rear facing on the frame 30.
  • the brake means 40 and the at least one brake light 10 is provided on rear portion 65 of the frame 30.
  • the brake means 40 is provided on a lower facing portion 100 of the rear portion 65 of the frame 30.
  • the lower facing portion 100 of the rear portion 65 of the frame 30 comprises an aperture 105 for movably receiving the brake means 40, e.g. in a partially rotary fashion around pivot 110. By this arrangement the brake means 40 is moveable between the non-braking position and a braking position.
  • the non-braking position is defined by biasing the brake means away from the frame 30 by biasing means 111.
  • the braking position is defined by a protrusion or widened portion 47 of the brake means 40 which abuts an outer end of the aperture 105 when braking.
  • the at least one brake light 10 is provided on a rear face 115 of the rear portion 65 of the frame.
  • the rear face is included at an angle, e.g. acute angle, to the horizontal and/or vertical, when the article of footwear 5 is in a non-braking or rolling disposition.
  • the rear face 115 is inclined substantially vertically or more vertically when the article of footwear 5 is in a braking disposition.
  • the at least one brake light 10 and/or the rear portion 65 of the frame 30 are provided rearward of a rearmost rolling means 24.
  • the rear portion 65 extends between the heel portion 120 of the article of footwear to a rear of the article of footwear 5.

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  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

There is disclosed an article of footwear (5; 5'), such as a skate, comprising rolling means (24, 24') and at least one brake light (10;10'). The article (5; 5 ' ) comprises a frame (30; 30 ') for the rolling means (24, 24'), and a boot means (35, 35'). A brake mean (40; 40') is provided lower facing on a rear portion (65, 65') of the frame (30, 30') and at least one brake light (10, 10') is provided upper/rear facing on the rear portion (65, 65' ).

Description

FOOTWEAR WITH WHEELS AND BRAKING DEPENDENT LIGHTING
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved article of footwear such as a skate or skates or similar type article of footwear comprising rolling means or wheels. The invention also relates to a pair of such articles. The invention particularly, though not exclusively, relates to an inline skate or pair of inline skates or the like incorporating a brake light and/or novelty illumination or lighting effect.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Roller skates have undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years. This is because of their increased use not only for recreational purposes but also as a fast and convenient means of transportation.
The earliest roller skates were of the inline design, but these were later superseded by quad skates, the design of which made skating curved edges easier.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the popularity of inline skates had a strong resurgence, to such an extent that they have become again a popular type of roller skate . The present invention addresses a number of problems in the prior art. For example: ease of manufacture; visibility of the skate/skater, in use; comprehension of a skater's actions, in use, e.g-. slowing down or braking.
It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved article of footwear such as a skate or the like.
It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate one or more disadvantages in the prior art.
It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an article of footwear or a skate or the like having a novel or novelty light effect. By such provision, the skate or the like may be more desirable to a user, and also assist in making the user and his/her intentions (e.g. braking) more visible to others. This may contribute to improved safety for the wearer or user and for others.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of footwear, such as a skate, comprising rolling means and at least one brake light or illumination means.
Preferably the article of footwear is a roller skate .
Most preferably the article of footwear is an inline skate. In such instance the skate may comprise a plurality of rolling means or wheels disposed in longitudinal relation to one another.
The article of footwear may comprise a base or frame having means, such as a recess (es), for receiving the rolling means.
The article of footwear may comprise a boot or shoe means which may be attached to the base or frame.
The receiving means may be provided on or adjacent a sole portion of the article of footwear. Alternatively the article may comprise at least a pair of front rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another and a pair of rear rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another. In such instance the article may comprise a so-called quad skate.
The inline skate may have a plurality, e.g. two, three, four, five or more, wheels arranged in a line. Preferably the article of footwear comprises a brake means such as a brake means, preferably a rear brake means .
Preferably the brake means is provided at or near a heel of the article of footwear. Preferably the brake means comprises a brake pad.
The brake means may be biased by biasing means to a non-braking position.
Preferably in a non-braking position or state there is provided a gap between the brake means and a surface such as the ground upon which the rolling means are placed, while in a braking position or state the brake means may contact, e.g. frictionally, a surface such as ground, e.g. by pivoting the article of footwear rearwardly, e.g. around a rearmost rolling means. The brake means may, in use, be depressed into a braking position by a user forcing the brake means against a surface such as the ground. Removal of the user's pressure from the brake means may cause the brake means to return to the non-braking position. The user may apply the force by forcing their heel against a surface such as the ground, and/or lifting their toes or the front of their foot up from the surface, such as the ground .
Movement of the brake means to the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the braking position may cause the at least one brake light or illumination means to illuminate or switch on, e.g. constantly or intermittently or flash. Movement of the brake means from the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the non-braking position may cause the at least one brake light or illumination means to not illuminate or switch off.
The at least one brake light may comprise at least one LED. The brake light (s) may be of any colour, particularly one colour, e.g. red, or alternatively a number of colours, e.g. red, yellow and blue. The at least one brake light or illumination means may be provided so as to be rear facing on the article of footwear. The at least one brake light may be provided on the base or frame of the article of footwear.
The article of footwear may comprise means for controlling the at least one brake light, e.g. to switch the at least one brake light on when braking and off when not braking .
The at least one brake light may be provided so as to be rear facing on the frame . The brake means and the at least one brake light may be provided on a rear portion of the frame.
The brake means may be provided on a lower facing portion of the rear portion of the frame.
The lower facing portion of the rear portion of the frame may comprise an aperture for movably receiving the brake means. By this arrangement the brake means may be moveable between a non-braking position and a braking position.
The non-braking position may be defined by biasing the brake means away from the frame. The braking position may be defined by a protrusion or widened portion of the brake means which may abut an outer end of the aperture when braking. The at least one brake light may be provided on a rear faces of the rear portion of the frame. The rear face may be inclined at an angle, e.g. an acute upward angle to a sole of the article of footwear. The rear face may be inclined at an angle, e.g. an acute upward angle to a like extending between rolling means. The rear face may be included at an angle, e.g. acute angle, to the horizontal and/or vertical, when the article of footwear is in a non-braking or rolling disposition. The rear face may be inclined substantially vertically or more vertically when the article of footwear is in a braking disposition. By this arrangement the at least one brake light may be visible to an observer positioned to the rear of a wearer of the article of footwear or skater when braking.
The at least one brake light and/or the rear portion of the frame may be provided rearward of a heel portion of the boot or shoe means .
The at least one brake light and/or the rear portion of the frame may be provided rearward of a rearmost rolling means.
The rear portion may extend between a heel of the article of footwear to a rear of the article of footwear.
The brake light may be provided behind a transparent or translucent cover, e.g. a plastic cover. The brake light may be coloured red, e.g. the cover may be tinted, e.g. red. The cover may comprise one or more lens and/or light diffusion means.
The article of footwear may comprise electronic means activated by movement of the brake means.
The electronic means may comprise circuit means completed by movement of the brake means to a braking position and broken by movement of the brake means to a non-braking position. The electronic means may comprise a switch means having a switch member biased into contact with the brake means .
Preferably by this arrangement when the brake member is in the non-braking position, the switch means is in a first or retracted position, and the switch means is in an "off" state, while when the brake member is in the braking position the switch member is in a second or extended position, and the switch means is in an "on" state.
The electronic means may comprise circuit means, which may include, for example e.g. one or more batteries, and the at least one brake light.
The batteries may be provided in a compartment, e.g. below or within the frame of the article of footwear, e.g. within an elongate slot therein.
The electronic means/compartment may comprise an on/off switch for the electronic means. The brake means may comprise means for limiting movement of the braking means so as to define a braking position of the brake means .
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of footwear, such as an inline skate, comprising rolling means, a user- operable rear brake and at least one brake light operable by operation of the rear brake.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a pair of articles of footwear or skates comprising first and second articles of footwear, wherein at least one and preferably both of the articles of footwear comprise articles of footwear according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings , which are :
Figure 1 a side view of a first (left foot) article of footwear or skate according to an embodiment of the present invention in a non-braking position;
Figure 2 a side view of a second (right foot) article of footwear or skate according to the embodiment of the present invention in a non-braking position;
Figure 3 a partial rear view from above and to one side of one skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
Figure 4 a close up side view of a heel or rear portion of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
Figure 5 a cross-sectional side view of braking parts and braking mechanism of the skate of Figure 1;
Figure 6 a close up rear view from above and to one side of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated;
Figure 7 a close up view from above of a rear of the skate of Figure 1 with the rear brake deployed and rear brake light thereof illuminated; Figure 8 a close up rear view from above and to one side of the skate of Figure 1 ;
Figure 9 a close up side view of a heel or rear portion of the skate of Figure 1;
Figure 10 a close up rear view of the skate of
Figure 1 ; and Figure 11 a circuit diagram of circuitry of the skate of Figure 1 (or of Figure 2) .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to Figures 1 to 10 there is shown a pair of articles of footwear, generally designated 5,5' according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each article of footwear 5,5' comprises an in-line skate having at least one brake light or illumination means 10.
Article 5 comprises a left foot article, while article 5' comprises a right foot article. In this embodiment the articles 5,5' are substantially the same, but mirror images of one another, each having a brake light.
Accordingly hereafter only article 5 will be described in detail. It will,' however, be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment only one of the articles 5,5' has at least one brake light 10, while the other article 5' ,5 does not have a brake light, and is therefore conventional in that respect.
In this embodiment the article of footwear 5 is a skate 15, particularly a roller skate, more particularly an inline skate. The skate 15 has a plurality of wheels including front wheel 21, second wheel 22, third wheel 23, and rear wheel 24. The skate 15 comprises a frame 30, a boot or shoe 35, and a brake means 40. The brake means 40 comprises a rear brake means 45. The brake member 45 is biased by biasing means (not shown) such as a spring to a non-braking position. The brake means 40 comprises a brake pad.
The brake means 40, in use, is depressed into a braking position by a user forcing the brake means 40 against the ground. Removal of the user's pressure from the brake means 40 causes the brake means 40 to return to the non-braking position.
Movement of the brake means 40 to the braking position and/or maintenance of brake means 40 at the braking position causes the at least one brake light 10 to illuminate or switch on.
Movement of the brake means 40 from the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means 40 at the non-braking position causes the at least one brake light 10 to not illuminate or switch off.
The at least one brake light 10 comprises at least one LED, and in this embodiment three LEDs 50, 55, 60. The at least one brake light 10 is mounted to be rear facing on the article 5. In this embodiment the at least one brake light 10 is provided on a rear portion 65 of a frame 70 of the skate 15.
The article 5 comprises electronic means 75 activated by movement of the brake means 40. The electronic means 75 comprises a circuit means completed by movement of the brake means 40 to a braking position.
The electronic means 75 comprise a switch means 80 having a switch member 85 biased into contact with the brake means 40.
By this arrangement when the brake means 40 is in the non-braking position, the switch member 85 is in a first or retracted position, and the switch member 85 is in an "off" state, while when the brake means 40 is in the braking position the switch member 85 is in a second or extended position, and the switch means 80 is in an "on" state.
The electronic means 75 comprises circuit means, including, for example, one or more batteries 76, and the at least one brake light 10. The batteries are provided in a compartment 90, e.g. within the frame 30 of the skate 15, e.g. within an elongate slot therein. The compartment 90 includes an on/off switch (not shown) for the electronic means . The brake means 40 comprises means 46 for limiting movement of the brake means 40. When a user applies pressure to a heel portion of the article of footwear 5, the brake member 45 moves from the non-braking position to the braking position, movement of the brake member 45 being limited by movement limiting means 46 comprising protrusion 47 formed in a rear face of the brake member 45, and which abuts the frame 30 when in the braking position. The brake member 45 can be made from a resilient material, e.g. rubber or the like. A lower surface of the brake member 45 can be textured to facilitate grip when braking.
The article of footwear 5 comprises means 100 for controlling the at least one brake light 10, i.e. to switch the at least one brake light on when braking and off when not braking.
As can be seen from the diagrams, the at least one brake light 10 is provided so as to be rear facing on the frame 30.
The brake means 40 and the at least one brake light 10 is provided on rear portion 65 of the frame 30. The brake means 40 is provided on a lower facing portion 100 of the rear portion 65 of the frame 30. The lower facing portion 100 of the rear portion 65 of the frame 30 comprises an aperture 105 for movably receiving the brake means 40, e.g. in a partially rotary fashion around pivot 110. By this arrangement the brake means 40 is moveable between the non-braking position and a braking position.
The non-braking position is defined by biasing the brake means away from the frame 30 by biasing means 111. The braking position is defined by a protrusion or widened portion 47 of the brake means 40 which abuts an outer end of the aperture 105 when braking.
The at least one brake light 10 is provided on a rear face 115 of the rear portion 65 of the frame. The rear face is included at an angle, e.g. acute angle, to the horizontal and/or vertical, when the article of footwear 5 is in a non-braking or rolling disposition. As can be seen from the diagrams, the rear face 115 is inclined substantially vertically or more vertically when the article of footwear 5 is in a braking disposition. By this arrangement that at least one brake light 10 is visible to an observer positioned to the rear of wearer of the article of footwear 5 or skater when braking. The at least one brake light 10 and/or the rear portion of the frame 30 is provided rearward of the heel portion 120 of the boot or shoe means 35.
The at least one brake light 10 and/or the rear portion 65 of the frame 30 are provided rearward of a rearmost rolling means 24.
The rear portion 65 extends between the heel portion 120 of the article of footwear to a rear of the article of footwear 5.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described is given by way of example only and is not meant to limit the scope thereof in any way. It will particularly be appreciated that while the disclosed embodiment is an inline skate the invention may be applied to other articles of footwear, e.g. quad skates, roller blades, or so-called "Heelies" (Trade mark) or the like shoes with wheels or rolling means in the sole, e.g. at the heel.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, such as a skate, comprising rolling means and at least one brake light or illumination means.
2. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article of footwear is a roller skate.
3. An article of footwear as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 , wherein the article of footwear is an inline skate or skate comprising a plurality of wheels disposed in longitudinal relation to one another.
4. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article of footwear comprises a base or frame having means, such as a recess (es) , for receivably retaining the rolling means.
5. An article of footwear as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5 , wherein the base or frame is provided on or adjacent a sole portion of the article of footwear.
6. An article of footwear as claimed in either, of. claims 1 or 2 , wherein the article comprises at least a pair of front rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another and a pair of rear rolling means or wheels disposed in transverse relation to one another.
7. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding1 claim, wherein the article of footwear comprises a boot or shoe which is attached to the base or frame.
8. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article of footwear has a brake means, such as a brake member, such as a rear brake member.
9. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 8, wherein the brake means is provided at or near a heel of the article of footwear.
10. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the brake means comprises a brake pad.
11. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the brake means is biased by biasing means to a non-braking position.
12. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein in a non-braking position or state there is provided a gap between the brake means and a surface such as the ground, while in a braking position or state the brake means contacts, such as frictionally contacts, a surface, such as the ground.
13. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the brake means, in use, is depressed into a braking position by a user forcing the brake means against a surface such as the ground, removal of pressure by the user from the brake means causing the brake means to return to the non-braking position, and wherein the user applies force by forcing their heel against a surface such as the ground, and/or lifting their toes or the front of their foot up from the surface such as the ground .
14. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 8 to 13, wherein movement of the brake means to the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the braking position causes the at least one brake light or illumination means to illuminate or switch on.
15. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14 , wherein movement of the brake means from the braking position and/or maintenance of the brake means at the non-braking position causes the at least one brake light or illumination means to not illuminate or switch off.
16. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light comprises at least one LED.
17. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brake light (s) is/are red, or alternatively a plurality of colours.
18. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light is provided so as to be rear facing on the article of footwear.
19. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light is provided on the base or the frame of the article of footwear.
20. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article of footwear comprises means for controlling the at least one brake light so as to switch the at least one brake light on when braking and off when not braking.
21. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light is provided so as to be rear facing on a/the frame.
22. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the brake means and the at least one brake light are provided on a rear portion of a/the frame .
23. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the brake means is provided on a lower facing portion of a/the rear portion of a/the frame.
24. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the lower facing portion of a/the rear portion of a/the frame comprises an aperture for movably receiving a/the brake means .
25. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the non-braking position is defined by biasing the brake means away from a/the frame, and a/the braking position is defined by a protrusion or widened portion of a/the brake means which abuts an outer end of a/the aperture when braking.
26. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light is provided on a rear face of a/the rear portion of a/the frame.
27. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear face is inclined at an angle, such as an acute angle to a sole of the article of footwear, and/or a longitudinal axis between rolling means, and/or to the horizontal and/or vertical when the article of footwear is in a non-braking or rolling disposition, and a/the rear face is inclined substantially vertically or more vertically when the article of footwear is in a braking disposition.
28. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light and/or a/the rear portion of a/the frame is provided rearward of a heel portion of a/the boot or shoe means.
29. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light and/or a/the rear portion of a/the frame is provided rearward of a rearmost rolling means.
30. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the rear portion extends between a heel of the article of footwear to a rear of the article of footwear.
31. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one brake light is provided behind a transparent or translucent cover, such as a plastic cover.
32. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 31, wherein the cover comprises one or more lens and/or light diffusion means.
33. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article of footwear comprises electronic means activated by movement of a/the brake means .
34. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 33, wherein the electronic means comprises circuit means completed by movement of the brake means to a braking position and broken by movement of the brake means to a non-braking position.
35. An article of footwear as claimed in either of claims 33 or 34, wherein the electronic means comprises a switch means having a switch member biased into contact with the brake means .
36. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 35, wherein when the brake means is in the non-braking position, the switch member is in a first or retracted position, and the switch member is in an "off" state, while when the brake member is in the braking position the switch member is in a second or extended position, and the switch means is in an "on" state.
37. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 33 to 36, wherein the electronic means comprises circuit means, one or more batteries, and the at least one brake light.
38. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 37, wherein the battery (ies) is/are provided in a compartment, optionally below or within a/the frame of the article of footwear.
39. An article of footwear as claimed in any of claims 33 to 38, wherein the electronic means/compartment includes an on/off switch for the electronic means.
40. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brake member comprises means for limiting movement of the braking member so as to define a braking position of the brake member.
41. An article of footwear, such as an inline skate, comprising rolling means, a user-operable rear brake and at least one brake light operable by operation of the rear brake .
42. A pair of articles of footwear or skates comprising first and second articles of footwear, wherein at least one or both of the articles of footwear comprise articles of footwear according to any of claims 1 to 40 or claim 41.
43. An article of footwear as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .
PCT/GB2008/002939 2007-09-01 2008-09-01 Footwear with wheels and braking dependent lighting WO2009027696A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0717034.3A GB2452328B (en) 2007-09-01 2007-09-01 Improved skate
GB0717034.3 2007-09-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009027696A1 true WO2009027696A1 (en) 2009-03-05

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ID=38617124

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/002939 WO2009027696A1 (en) 2007-09-01 2008-09-01 Footwear with wheels and braking dependent lighting

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2452328B (en)
WO (1) WO2009027696A1 (en)

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EP0990456A1 (en) * 1998-09-30 2000-04-05 Klaus Gebauer In- line skate with lighting assembly
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US4367515A (en) * 1980-10-29 1983-01-04 Beard Steven F Roller skate light attachment
US5484164A (en) * 1994-03-24 1996-01-16 Mcinerney; James M. Roller skate lighting system
US5921653A (en) * 1995-05-02 1999-07-13 Chien; Tseng-Lu Super-thin lighting arrangement for a moving object
US6000721A (en) * 1996-12-24 1999-12-14 Pfaeffle; Patricia In-line skates with fiber optic lighting
US20020030339A1 (en) * 2000-09-06 2002-03-14 Powers Ronald H. Scooter

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GB2452328A (en) 2009-03-04
GB2452328B (en) 2012-02-22
GB0717034D0 (en) 2007-10-10

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