Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 04~07
The present invention relates to a braking
device particularly usable for skates which comprise
an item of footgear composed of a quarter articulated
to a shell which is in turn associated with a
supporting frame for one or more wheels.
Currently, in known roller skates, whether
constituted by an item of footgear associated with a
support for two pairs of mutually parallel wheels or
by an item of footgear associated with a supporting
frame for one or more aligned wheels, the problem is
felt of braking said wheels in order to adjust the
speed of said skate.
It is thus known to use adapted blocks or
pads, usually made of rubber, which are arranged at
the toe or heel regions of the item of footgeari when
the user tilts the item of footgear forwards or
backwards, the free end of the pads or blocks
interacts with the ground and braking is thus
achieved.
However, these solutions are not optimum,
since they require the user to rotate the item of
footgear, and therefore the frame associated
therewith, at the toe or heel, and this can be the
cause of losses of balance with consequent falls.
U.S. Patent 1,402,010 issued on January 3,
1922 to Ormiston is also known; it discloses a roller
skate provided with a band which can be secured on
the user's leg above the malleolar region and to
which a rod is connected.
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2 1 04907
Said rod wraps around the leg to the rear
and is then curved so as to laterally affect the leg
until it is associated, at its ends, in the malleolar
region, with a lever system which is articulated to a
flap protruding from the wheel supporting frame.
Said lever system protrudes to the rear of
the frame is connected to a plate which is shaped
approximately complementarily to the curvature of
part of an underlying and facing wheel.
This solution is not free from drawbacks:
first of all, a relative movement occurs between the
band and the leg throughout sports practice, and this
does not make its use comfortable.
Furthermore, the plate is activated every
time the user bends his leg backwards beyond a given
angle, without actual and easy possibilities of
varying this condition.
Furthermore, each user has a specific leg
shape, and braking is thus obtained at different
rotation angles for equal lengths of the rod.
Furthermore, said rod rests and presses on
the malleolar region, and this can cause discomfort
or accidental impacts.
Finally, considerable wear of the wheel is
observed.
United States Patent 4,275,895 issued on
June 30, 1981 to Edwards is known as a partial
solution to this drawback; it discloses a brake for
skates with two pairs of mutually parallel wheels,
which acts at the rear wheels.
21 04907
Said brake is constituted by a flap
associated with the item of footgear in a rearward
positioni a blade is associated with said flap in a
rearward position and is pivoted at the supporting
frame for the item of footgear.
Said blade has, at its free end, a
transverse element on which a pair of C-shaped
elements is formed at the lateral endsi said elèments
interact, following a backward rotation imparted to
the flap, with the rear wheels which face them, so as
to interact with the rolling surface of said wheels.
However, even this solution has drawbacks:
it is in fact structurally complicated and thus
difficult to industrialize; it furthermore entails
the presence of adapted springs suitable to allow the
flap to return to the position in which the pair of
C-shaped elements does not interact with the wheels,
and this further increases structural complexity.
Furthermore, the structural configuration
of the brake causes the pair of C-shaped elements to
interact with the wheel even upon a minimal backward
rotation imparted to the flap and thus even due to
involuntary movements, and this produces unwanted
braking actions and therefore possible situations of
loss of balance or lack of coordination.
Finally, interaction of the C-shaped
element at the rolling surface of the wheels leads to
rapid wear of said wheels and thus to non-optimum
rolling, which necessarily entails continuous wheel
replacement.
21 04907
U.S. Patent 4,300,781 issued on November
17, 1981 to Riggs is also known; it relates to a
braking device for skates which comprise pairs of
mutually parallel wheels.
It furthermore comprises a brake
constituted by a blade pivoted transversely at the
rear end of the supporting frame for an item of
footgeari pads facing the rolling surface of the pair
of rear wheels are associated with the ends of said
blade.
The brake is activated by using a cable
suitable to
'.A~
2104907
~ impart a rotation to the blade in contrast with a spring
associated with the support for the pair of front wheels, so
as to move the pads into contact with the rolling surface of
the pair of rear wheels.
The cable can be activated by means of rings or handles
associated with a band which can be arranged on the legs of
the user by virtue of the presence of temporary connection
means.
However, this solution has considerable drawbacks;
lo first of all, activation of the brake can lead to possible
losses of coordination during sports practice, since the
user has to perform an uncoordinated movement.
Furthermore, during the traction applied to the rings
the band may disengage from the legs, thus thwarting the
braking action.
In any case, there is a loose cable which can
accidentally catch during racing! especially since
coordination of the arm-legs movement causes the legs to be
located rhythmically laterally toward the outside.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to
eliminate the drawbacks described above in known types by
providing a braking device for skates which is structurally
very simple and easy to industrialize.
Within the scope of the above aim, an important object
is to provide a braking device which can be activated by the
user in case of actual need and thus not accidentally.
Another important object is to provide a braking device
which can be deactivated rapidly and simply by the user.
Another important object is to provide a device wherein
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2 1 04907
brake activation can be preset by the user according
to his own specific requirements, whether related to
the shape of the leg or to the particular type of
sport being practiced.
Another object is to provide a device which
protects the rolling surface of the wheels against
wear.
Another object is to obtain a device which
associates with the preceding characteristics that of
being reliable and safe in use, has low manufacturing
costs and can also be applied to known skates.
This aim, these objects and others which
will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a
braking device as disclosed in the attached claims.
Therefore in accordance with the present
invention, there is provided a skate comprising a
shell, a longitudinally-extending frame associated
with said shell and adapted to support a plurality of
wheels, and a quarter mounted for pivotal movement
relative to said shell about a first axis generally
transverse to said frame, a braking device
comprising:
a braking element pivotally connected to
and extending rearwardly with respect to said frame
for pivotal movement relative to said frame about a
second axis generally parallel to said first axis,
said braking element comprising:
a support having a pivot and pivotally
attached to said frame and an extending portion
extending rearwardly, with respect to said frame,
from said pivot end, and,
at least one brake pad supported by said
support at a point spaced rearwardly from said second
axis and having a braking surface adapted to interact
with the ground; and,
~ 2 1 0 4 9 0 7
an actuator having an upper end connected
to a rear portion of said quarter and extending
downwardly and rearwardly from said rear portion of
said quarter, and a lower end connected to said
braking element at a point rearwardly of said second
axis and above said braking surface such that
rearward pivoting of said quarter causes downward
movement of said lower end of said actuator and said
extending portion of said support and causes said
braking surface of said brake pad to move into ground
engagement and forward pivoting of said quarter
causes said braking surface of said brake pad to move
away from ground engagement.
Also in accordance with the present
invention, there is provided a skate comprising a
shell and a longitudinally-extending frame associated
with said shell and adapted to support a plurality of
wheels, and an upper support secured relative to the
leg of a user at a position above the ankle of the
user such that the upper support is movable generally
forwardly and rearwardly relative to said frame in
response to pivoting of the leg of the user about the
ankle region of the user, a braking device
comprising:
a braking element pivotally connected to
and extending rearwardly with respect to said frame
for pivotal movement relative to said frame about an
axis generally transverse to said frame, said braking
element including:
a brake support having a pivot end
pivotally attached to said frame and an extending
portion extending rearwardly with respect to said
frame, from said pivot end, and,
at least one brake pad supported by said
brake support at a point spaced rearwardly from said
axis and having a braking surface adapted to interact
with the ground; and,
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` 21 04907
a rod-like actuator disposed rearwardly of
said shell, said actuator having an upper end
connected to a rear portion of said upper support and
extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and a
lower end connected to said braking element at a
point rearwardly of said axis and above said braking
surface, such that rearward movement of said upper
support causes downward movement of said lower end of
said actuator and said extending portion of said
brake support and causes said braking surface of said
brake pad to move into ground engagement and forward
movement of said support causes said braking surface
of said brake pad to move away from ground
engagement.
Further characteristics and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent from the
detailed description of preferred embodiments,
illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a partially sectional side view
of the braking device associated with a skate;
figure 2 is a view, similar to the
preceding one, of a further embodiment of the device;
figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along a
longitudinal plane, of the first and second rod
members in another embodiment;
figure 4 is a side view of a roller skate
according to a further aspect of the invention;
figure 5 is a rear view of the skate of
figure 4;
figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a
skate provided with a braking device according to a
fifth aspect of the invention;
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27104907
~ figure 7 is a detail front view of the rod member of
the device of figure 6;
figure 8 is a sectional view according to the plane
VIII-VIII of figure 7;
figure 9 is a sectional view according to the plane IX-
IX of figure 7;
figure 10 is a sectional view according to the plane X-
X of figure 7;
figure 11 is a partially sectioned side view of the
lo skate of figure 6 in the braking position;
figure 12 is a view similar to the pr~c~Aing one in the
inactive position;
figure 13 is a view similar to the prec~ing ones in
the braking position, wherein the threaded stem is
completely extracted to compensate for pad wear;
figure 14 is a view similar to the prec~ g one in the
position of maximum forward flexing;
figure 15 is a partially sectioned side view of the
rear portion of a skate according to a sixth aspect of the
invention;
figure 16 is a partial rear view of the skate of figure
15;
figure 17 is a partially sectioned side view of the
rear portion of a skate according to a seventh aspect of the
invention;
figure 18 is a partial rear view of the skate of figure
17;
figure 19 is a rear perspective view of a skate
according to an eighth aspect of the invention;
figure 20 is a rear perspective view of a skate
2104907
~ according to a ninth aspect of the invention.
With reference to the above figures, the reference
numeral 1 designates the braking device, particularly usable
for skates designated by the reference numeral 2.
Said skates comprise an item of footgear 3 comroC~A of
a quarter 4 which wraps around the rear lateral region of
the user's leg and is articulated to a shell 5; a frame 6 is
associated with said shell in a downward region and supports
one or more wheels, designated by the reference numeral 7,
lo which are preferably mutually aligned.
Adapted fastening levers for the quarter 4 and the
shell 5 may be also added.
The braking device comprises a first rod member 8 and a
~ con~ rod member 9 which are respectively connected to said
quarter 4 and to a braking element 10 which is oscillatably
articulated to said frame 6 or at the pivot of one of said
wheels 7.
The first rod member 8 and the second rod member 9
interact with adapted first and second means suitable to
adjust their working length; said first means are
constituted by an internally threaded cylinder 11 with which
complementarily threaded stems of a first bush 12 interact;
said first bush is pivoted, by means of a first pivot 13,
proximate to the lower perimetric edge 14 of the quarter 4
in the rear region thereof; the other threaded stem
~LoLLudes axially with respect to a shaft 15; the assembly
thus compose~ constitutes, in this case, said first rod
member 8.
Said first rod member is slidingly contained within a
210~907
`-- g
- first sleeve 16 which is internally hollow and has a
perforated end for the passage of said shaft 15 and an
internally threaded end.
A complementarily threaded end of a second sleeve 17
interacts with said internally threaded end; said sleeve 17
is internally hollow and rigidly coupled to said second rod
member 9.
The second sleeve 17 in fact has, on the side opposite
to the end which interacts with the first sleeve 16, a
lo threaded stem 18 protruding axially toward the braking
element 10 and interacting with the second means suitable to
adjust the working length of the second rod member 9, which
are constituted by a second bush 19 having an adapted and
complementarily threaded axial seat and being transversely
pivoted, by means of a second pivot 20, to a support 21
which constitutes said braking element 10 and the wings
whereof are pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 6 at the
pivot of one of said wheels 7.
At least one pad 22 which interacts with the yLO~d is
associated below the support 21.
The shaft 15 has a head 23, inside the first sleeve 16,
which is essentially T-ch~r~A and faces a tab 24 which
protrudes axially inside the second sleeve 17.
The purpose of the tab 24 is to act as stroke limiter
for the compression of the spring 26, forcing the lowering
of the braking element 21 when the head 23 presses on the
tab 24.
A first resilient member 25 is arranged coaxially to
the shaft 15 and is preferably constituted by a spring
interposed between the perforated end of the first sleeve 16
2104907
~ 10
- and the wings of the head 23 of said shaft.
A second resilient member 26 is arranged coaxially to
the tab 24 and is constituted by a spring interposed between
the base of the second sleeve 17 and the wings of the head
23 of the shaft 15.
The device furthermore comprises at least one third
resilient member 27 which is constituted by one or more
springs interposed between the frame 6 or the shell 5 and
the wings of the support 21 of the braking element 10.
loA retention element 28, constituted by a raised portion
protruding laterally to the frame 6, is also provided.
The use of the braking device is as follows: first of
all, the first, second and third resilient members have such
an elastic constant as to allow, when at rest, to support
the braking element 10 so that the pad 22 does not interact
with the ground.
The user can thus customize the position of the braking
element by acting on the first rod member 8 and on the
second rod member 9, varying their position with respect to
the cylinder 11 and to the second bush 19, and can also vary
the pre-loading of the springs 25 and 26 by mutually
screwing and unscrewing the first sleeve 16 and the second
sleeve 17.
The gap between the ends of the tab 24 and the head 23
allows the quarter 4 to rotate backwards without directly
activating the braking element 10, thus allowing free
oscillation without producing a braking action.
Furthermore, the presence of the first resilient member
allows to adjust the forward flexibility of the quarter
4.
2104907
11
- The second resilient member 26 may also be suitable to
adjust the inclination of said quarter, since said third
resilient member 23 has a higher elastic constant.
Once all these adjustments have been performed, the
user produces the braking action at a preset angle of
backward rotation imparted to the rear quarter.
The various adjustments furthermore allow to comp~nC~te
any wear of the pad 22.
It has thus been observed that the invention has
lo achieved the int~n~ aim and objects, a braking device
having been obtA; n~ which can be activated by the user at a
presettable angle of backward rotation imparted to the
quarter; this can be achieved by producing the required
setting of the useful length of the first and/or second rod
members with respect to the support 21 and to the quarter 4.
Furthermore, both activation and deactivation of the
braking element 10 are very simple, so as to allow to obtain
a device which is structurally simple and easy to
industrialize; the device can also be applied easily to
known skates.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a further embodiment for a
braking device 101 which comprises a first rod member 108
and a second rod member 109, both of which are coupled at
their ends, by means of a first pivot 113 and a cec~n~ pivot
120, respectively to the rear of the quarter 104 proximate
to the lower perimetric edge 114 and to the support 121, the
wings whereof are pivoted to the frame 106 or at the pivot
of one of said wheels 107.
The first rod member 108 is constituted by a shaft 115
having a threaded end axially slideable inside a second
~_ 12 2 1 04907
~ sleeve 117 which is internally hollow and is rigidly coupled
to the second rod member 109.
The complementarily threaded end of a third sleeve 129
is associated with the threaded end of the shaft 115; a
first resilient member 125 is arranged inside said third
sleeve 129 and is constituted by a spring which interacts by
abutment at an adapted seat 130 formed axially at the base
of the second sleeve 117 toward the braking element 110.
A means suitable to guide the telescopic movement
between the first rod member 108 and the second rod member
109 ~o~des axially with respect to the third sleeve 129;
said means is constituted by a rod 131 freely slideable
within an adapted cavity 132 co~n~cted to the seat 130.
In the illustrated embodiment, the device comprises
means suitable to vary the mutual distance between the
support 121 and the pad 122; said means are constituted by a
screw 133 the head 134 whereof is emheA~^~ in the pad 122
and the threaded stem whereof interacts with a
complementarily threaded nut 135 accommodated within the
support 121.
In this case, too, the inten~A aim and objects are
therefore achieved, a braking device having been obt^in~A
which allows to adjust the angle of backward inclination of
the quarter 4 to achieve interaction of the pad 122 with the
ground.
It is furthermore possible to control the backward
rotation of the quarter, giving a controlled and cushioned
rest during sports practice by virtue of the preC-nc- of an
adapted third resilient member 127 the elastic constant
whereof is greater than that of the first elastically
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21 04907
- deformable element 125.
The pres~nce of the screw 133 allows to vary the
position of the pad 122 according to its wear.
A further advantage of this further embodiment is
constituted by the fact that the forward rotation of the
quarter is not h; n~red by the connection with the braking
element, since the rod 131 is freely slideable within the
cavity 132.
Finally, there is a retention element 128 which
lo protrudes from the frame 106 and interacts with the support
121.
Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment, wherein the
first rod member 208 is again telescopically slideable with
respect to the second rod member 209, which is again rigidly
associated with a second sleeve 217 within which a shaft 215
is slidingly arranged. The shaft 215 has, inside the .sDcon~
sleeve 217, a third sleeve 229 for cont~ining a first
resilient member 225 and for supporting a second resilient
member 226, both of which are contained within the second
sleeve 217.
The use of these resilient members allows to achieve a
shock-absorbing effect both for a forward inclination of the
quarter and for a backward inclination thereof.
With reference to figures 4-5, the reference numeral
301 designates a braking device for a skate 302 according to
a further aspect of the invention.
Said skates comprise an item of footgear 303 which is
composed of a quarter 304, which wraps around the rear
lateral region of the user's leg and is articulated to a
shell 305. A frame 306 is associated with said shell in a
14
2 1 04~07
- downward region and supports one or more wheels, designated
by the reference numeral 307, which are preferably mutually
aligned.
Adapted fastening levers 308 may be applied to the
quarter 304 and the shell 305.
The braking device comprises at least one rod member,
generally designated by the reference numeral 309, which is
arranged to the rear of the item of footgear 303 and is
connected to the quarter 304 by means of one or more adapted
fast~n;ng members, such as for example screws or rivets 310.
The rod member 309 is shaped complementarily to the
quarter 304 and is arranged outside the shell 305; it
therefore has a curved shape which is suitable to arrange
its end 311, which faces toward the ground 312, in a region
to the rear of the frame 306, so that it can be connected to
a braking element 313 which is articulated to said frame 306
in an oscillating manner.
The braking element is constituted by a support 314 the
wings whereof are pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 306
by means of studs or rivets or by means of the pivot of said
wheel 315a and 315b, whereas the base 316 of the support 313
is connected to the end 311 of the rod member 309.
A pad 317, preferably made of rubber and suitable to
interact with the ground, is furthermore associated with the
support 314 in a downward region.
Use of the braking device is in fact as follows: by
virtue of the conn~ction of the end 311 of the rod member
309 to the base 316 of the support 314 of the braking
element 313, which is rotatably pivoted to the frame 306, if
the user imparts a backward rotation to the quarter 304, the
- 21 04907
~ end 311 of the rod member 309 moves so as to cause the pad
to interact with the ground.
This interaction occurs only for a preset rotation
imparted to the quarter 304 which, by virtue of the shape
which can be given to the rod member 309 can thus be preset.
The user can in fact modify the shape of the rod member
309 to adjust the working length of the rod member and
therefore to adjust the angle of inclination of the quarter
304 n~eA~A to brake.
loThis is done to allow interaction of the pad 317 with
the ground 312 only when a given angle of backward rotation
of the quarter 304 is ~Yc~A~, in order to avoid accidental
braking actions.
When the user resumes him normal skating position, the
15end 311 of the rod member 309 rises simultaneously, and thus
the pad A; C~ngages immediately from the yL o~,d.
It has been observed that the invention has achieved
the intenA~A aim and objects, a braking device having been
achieved which can be activated by the user at a presettable
angle of backward rotation of the quarter; this can be
achieved by giving the required shape or length to the rod
member.
With reference to figures 6-14, the reference numeral
401 designates the braking device particularly usable for
Z5 skates designated by the reference numeral 402.
Said skates comprise an item of footgear 403 composed
of a quarter 404, which wraps around the rear lateral region
of the user's leg and is articulated to a shell 405; a frame
406 is associated with said shell in a downward region and
supports one or more wheels, designated by the reference
16 2~04907
- numeral 407, which are preferably mutually aligned.
Adapted fastening levers 408 are applied to the quarter
404 and the shell 405.
The braking device comprises at least one rod member,
generally designated by the reference numeral 409, which is
arranged to the rear of the item of footgear 403 and is
pivoted, at a first end 410, transversely to the quarter 404
by means of an adapted first pivot 411.
In the particular embodiment shown, the rod member 409
lo is compoee~ of two portions or segments 409a and 409b which
are mutually telescopically connected in order to allow to
adjust the position of the pad 417 with respect to the
ground 413, as explained hereafter.
The rod member 409 is sledeable with respect to the
shell 405 and has a second end 412 which is not associated
with the quarter 404, is directed toward the ground 413, and
is articulated to the braking element 414 by means of a
ceco~ pivot 420; said braking element 414 is in turn
oscillatably articulated to said frame 406.
The braking element is constituted by a substantially
C-ChA~ support 415, the wings 421a and 421b whereof are
pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 406 by means of studs
or rivets or by means of the pivot of a wheel 407; a pad
417, preferably made of rubber and suitable to interact with
the ground, is associated With the support 415 proximate to
the base 416.
There are also means for adjusting the mutual position
of said at least one rod member and of said braking element;
said means are constituted by an internally threaded
cyli~er 418 which is rotatably and longitll~iAlly
17 2 1 04907
~ associated with said rod member in an adapted seat formed
thereon.
A complementarily threaded stem 419 engages the thread
of the cylinder 418, and one end of said stem is associated
with the support 415 by means of the pivot 420, which
interacts with the wings 421a and 421b, so as to allow to
vary the distance of the pad from the ground.
Use of the braking device is in fact as follows: by
virtue of the connection of the end of the rod member 409 to
lo the support 415 or of the connection of the stem 419 to said
support 415, a backward rotation imparted by the user to the
quarter 404 is matched by a movement of the C~cQn~ end 412
of the rod member 409 which moves the pad, associated with
the braking element 414 which is in turn rotatably pivoted
to the frame 406, so that it interacts with the yLO~d.
This interaction occurs only for a preset rotation
imparted to the quarter 404, said rotation being set during
design to ensure the correct and safe use of the skate, thus
avoiding the OC~UL L ence of accidental braking actions for
minimal angles of backward rotation of the quarter.
By virtue of the possibility of adjusting the mutual
distance between the pad 417 and the yL~d 413 by means of
the cylinder 418, it is possible to determine the conditions
required to obtain the braking action and thus determine
them according to individual physical characteristics or to
the particular use of the skate or to the wear of the pad.
This allows to select the angle of backward rotation of
the quarter 404 beyond which interaction of the pad 417 with
the ground 413 begins, in order to both avoid accidental
braking actions while skating and compensate the unavoidable
~ 18
- 21 04907
wear of the pad 417, keeping constant the braking conditions
of the user.
Once the user returns to the normal skating position,
the second end 412 of the rod member 409 rises
simultaneously and the pad immediately disengages from the
ground.
With reference to figures 15-16, the reference numeral
501 designates a skate which is constituted by an item of
footgear 502 composed of a shell 503 which is associated, in
lo a downward region, with a frame 504 for two or more wheels
505 which are arranged in pairs parallel to each other or in
a line, as shown in figure 15.
A quarter 507 is articulated at the shell 502 by means
of studs 506, and interacts with means suitable to allow
closure of said quarter in order to fasten the foot of the
user.
The braking device, generally designated by the
reference numeral 508, comprises a rod member 509
advantageously composed of a rigid strut 510, preferably
made of steel, with which a covering 511, preferably made of
plastic material, is associated.
At one end, said strut 510 and said covering 511
surmount, or are associated with, a support 514, for example
by means of a first pivot 513; said support 514 is
articulated, in an oscillating manner, to the frame 504 or
to the C~CQn~ pivot 515 of one of the wheels 505; a pad 516
is associated with said support and is directed toward the
ground 517; this assembly constitutes a braking element for
the skate.
The strut 510 and the covering 511 have a cecon~ end
~ 19
- 21 04qO7
518 which interacts with means for adjusting the position at
least of the rod member 509 with respect to the quarter 507;
said means are constituted by a third pivot 519 which is
de~AchAhly associable at an adapted first seat formed on
5 said second end 518 of the strut 510 and/or of the covering
511.
Said third pivot 519 can furthermore be arranged at one
of a plurality of complementarily ChAp~ second seats 520
which are formed sequentially and along the same axis at the
lowings 521a and 521b of a rigid base 523, preferably made of
steel, which is U-~hApeA and is associated at the rear
region 524 of the quarter 507 proximate to its lower
perimetric edge 525.
Advantageously, the wings 521a and 521b are arranged
within an adapted recess 526 formed in a rearward region of
the quarter 507; adapted holes for the passage of the third
pivot 519 at the desired seat among the second seats formed
on the strut 510 are provided on the lateral walls 527a and
527b of said recess 526.
20Use of the device is thus as follows: by means of the
third extractable pivot 519, the user can place the secon~
end 518 of the rod member 509 at the desired seat among the
seats 520 formed on the wings 521a and 521b of the base 523.
In this manner, the user can select the distance
25between the lower perimetric edge 525 of the quarter 507 and
the support 514 of the pad 516.
Therefore, according to specific requirements such as
morphological configurations or the type of sport practiced,
the user can select the interaction of the pad 516 with the
ground 517 according to the desired angle of backward tilt
~ 20
21 04907
~ of the quarter 507, and thus achieve braking.
The braking device is also very simple and safe in use;
in fact the third pivot 519 can be locked in the preselected
position by associating it, for example, with an adapted
locking nut 528.
The number and arrangement of the seats 520 may of
course vary according to the specific requirements.
Furthermore, as shown in figures 17 and 18, the means
for adjusting the mutual position of the quarter 607 and of
the s~co~ end 618 of the rod member 609 may be again
constituted by a third pivot 619 which is pivoted at least
at the strut 610 and possibly at the covering 611, said
third pivot 619 affecting an adapted through seat formed on
the head 629 of a screw 630.
Said screw comprises a threaded stem 631 with which a
complementarily threaded sleeve 632 engages; said sleeve is
rotatably associated at an adapted base 623 which is rigidly
coupled in the rear region 624 of the quarter 607 proximate
to its lower perimetric edge 625.
Operation in this embodiment entails that a rotation
imparted to the sleeve 632 is matched by an axial movement
for the threaded stem 631 of the screw 630; in this manner,
the head 629 actuates the movement of the third pivot 619
and co~cequently varies the angle of the support 614 with
respect to the ground 617.
Figure 19 shows a skate 702, according to a further
aspect of the invention, comprising a braking device 701
which is constituted by a rod member 709 having an upper end
con~ected with the quarter 704 and a lower end 711 ~o~ cted
to a brake support 714. The brake 714 is pivoted to the
~ 21
21 04907
skate frame 706, at pivot 715, and supports a pad 717.
The brake support 714 also has a series of vertically
arranged holes 718 adapted to engage a rod pivot 719
associated with the lower end of the rod member 709. It can
be easily seen that the braking action can be varied by
arranging the rod pivot 719 in different holes 718. Only two
different holes 718, corresponding to two different braking
positions, are illustrated in figure 19, it is however
obvious that the number of holes may change according to the
lo requirements.
Figure 20 shows a skate 802 having a slightly
modified braking device 801, wherein the series of holes 818
is provided at the lower end of the rod member 809.
A further modified braking device, which is not
illustrated in the drawings, may have two series of
adjusting holes provided respectively at the lower end of
the rod member and at the brake support.
Naturally, the materials and the dimensions which
constitute the individual components of the invention may
also be the most pertinent according to the specific
requirements.
