Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BP# 7 0 65 - 00 9
2I22526
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Title: ROT.T.R~ SRATE BRARE A.~.~MRT.y
FIELD OF T~ INVENTION
The present invention relates to a braking
system for roller skates.
RA~TCG~OuND OF THE lNv~r~lloN
Roller skates typically utilize a braking system
comprising a rubber brake pad mounted at the toe or heel
of the skate. The skater actuates the braking system by
tipping the skate forwardly or rearwardly until the brake
pad is placed into frictional contact with the skating
surface.
One problem with this type of braking system is
the high degree of coordination required for the skater to
use the brakes. Many skaters have difficulty balancing on
one skate while lifting the heel or toe of the other skate
to apply the brakes. This can be especially difficult when
a skater is required to make an emergency stop. Another
problem with this type of braking system is the difficulty
in applying the brakes while a skater is moving backwards.
Backward skating is often required when the skater is
playing a sport such as hockey.
U.S. patents 5,192,099 (Riutta), 5,232,231
~Carlsmith), 5,143,387 (Colla) and U.K. patent 1,433,268
(Wilje) describe various attempts at improving upon the
conventional braking system described above.
The Riutta and Carlsmith patents are directed to
braking systems that are actuated by the skater shifting
his weight rearwardly in order to press downwardly on the
heel of the skate. This causes a brake pad to frictionally
-30 engage the skate wheels. Nhile these types of braking
systems do not require the skater to actually lift a
- portion of the skate, they still require the skater to
adjust his centre of balance to shift his weight to the
heel of the skate. As a result, the skater is still
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required to have a significant degree of coordination in
order to apply the brakes.
The Colla patent is directed to a brake system
that is actuated by movement of the skater's toes. The
skater curls his toes to move a slide bar located within
the skate boot. The slide bar causes a brake pad to engage
the skate wheels. While this type of braking system does
not require the skater to significantly adjust his center
of balance, it does require a significant degree of
dexterity for the skater to move the slide bar. Also, the
comfort and fit of the skate boot can be negatively
affected by the addition of the slide bar within the boot.
The Wilje patent is directed to a roller skate
having a frame that is adapted to slide transversely on
the wheel axles so that a brake pad located on the frame
may be brought into frictional contact with the sides of
the wheels. The frame is normally urged away from the
wheels by a spring located on the wheel axles. The skater
actuates the brakes by inducing the frame to move
transversely on the axles until the brake pad is brought
into engagement with the wheels. One problem with this
type of braking system is the lack of stability occasioned
by the change of position of the frame relative to the
wheels. As the frame slides transversely along the wheel
axis the skater's centre of balance changes relative to
the wheels. As a result a skater would require a
significant amount of coordination to apply the brakes.
This problem is accentuated if the roller skates are in-
line skates.
Another problem with the braking systems
described in the above patents is their rather complicated
design. These braking systems are not adapted for simple
installation to existing skate designs.
What is needed is a braking system for roller
skates that allows a skater to maintain his center of
balance over his skates while applying the brakes. The
braking system would allow the brakes to be applied in a
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controlled manner over a broad range of braking forces.
Also, the braking system would have a simple construction
that is inexpensively manufactured and that may be
installed to existing skate designs.
SUMNARY OF THE INVENTION
When observing skaters learning how to skate one
sees that most skaters naturally tend to bring their knees
together and lean their skates toward one another to
achieve better balance over the skates. This natural
balancing position acts to evenly distribute the skater's
weight between the two skates. The present invention
provides a braking system that allows a skater to assume
this natural balancing position when applying the brakes.
One aspect of the invention provides a brake
assembly for a roller skate comprising:
means for braking movement of said skate;
means for actuating said braking means when said
skate is tipped a predetermined amount to one
side of said skate; and
means for attaching said braking means and said
actuating means to said skate.
Another aspect of the invention provides a brake
assembly for a roller skate having a frame and a plurality
of wheels arranged along a longitudinal axis, said brake
assembly comprising:
a brake head having at least one brake pad for
frictionally engaging at least one of said
wheels;
means for attaching said brake head to said
frame, said attachment means facilitating
movement of said brake pad relative to said
frame; and
a sensor for sensing when said skate has been
tipped to one side of said longitudinal axis,
said sensor communicating information to said
brake head to move said brake pad into
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engagement with said wheel when said skate has
been tipped a predetermined amount.
Advantageously, the brake assembly of the
present invention allows the skater to actuate the braking
action without lifting a portion of the skate or otherwise
shifting his center of balance. Instead, the skater is
able to tip the skate to one side to actuate the brakes.
The skater's center of balance is thus maintained while
the braking force is applied. Moreover, the brake assembly
acts to improve the skater's balance when the brakes are
being applied by providing a further point of support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present
invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried
into effect, reference will now be made, by way of
example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show
preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a brake assembly in
accordance with the present invention attached to a right
foot roller skate;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the brake assembly
and roller skate shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the brake assembly
and roller skate as shown in Fig. 2 with the roller skate
being shown in a tipped position;
Fig. 4 is a view of one side of a brake assembly
in accordance with the present invention showing a sensor;
Fig. 5 is a view of the other side of the brake
assembly shown in Fig. 4 showing a pair of brake pads;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the brake assembly
shown in Fig. 4 taken along line 6-6;
Fig. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of
a brake assembly in accordance with the present invention
attached to a right foot roller skate;
Fig. 8 is a rear view of the roller skate and
brake assembly shown in Fig. 7, the roller skate being
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shown in an upright position;
Fig. 9 is a rear view of the roller skate and
brake assembly shown in Fig. 7, the roller skate being
shown in a tipped position; and
Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a third
embodiment of a brake assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
DETATT~n DESCRIPTION OF ~ PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A roller skate having a substantially
conventional body design is shown generally at 10 in the
Figures. The roller skate 10 includes a boot 12, a
plurality of wheels 14, and a frame 16. The wheels 14 are
each rotatably connected by bearings (not shown) to
respective axles 18. The frame 16 includes opposing
sidewalls 20 for supporting each axle 18, and a base 22
for supporting the boot 12. A channel 24 is defined
between the sidewalls 20 to provide space for the wheels
14. The wheels 14 are formed from a durable material
adapted to ride smoothly over a skating surface 26.
The type of roller skate 10 depicted in the
Figures is commonly known as an in-line skate where all of
the wheels 14 are aligned along a single longitudinal axis
28. While the embodiments of the invention described
herein are directed to use with such in-line skates, it
will be understood that the invention may also be applied
to other forms of roller skates. These include the older
styles of roller skates having multiple pairs of wheels
arranged along a longitudinal axis, as well as elongate
roller skates also known as roller skiis.
A brake assembly in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at
30 in Figs. 1 to 6. The brake assembly 30 includes an
attachment tab 32 and a brake head 34.
The attachment tab 32 facilitates attachment of
the brake assembly 30 to the frame 16. The attachment tab
32 is connected to the frame 16 by means of fasteners 36,
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such as bolts, pins, rivets or any other convenient
fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The
fasteners 36 extend through corresponding sets of
apertures 38a and 38b that are defined respectively in the
attachment tab 32 and the sidewall 20. The brake assembly
30 can thus be installed onto an existing set of skates 10
by drilling apertures 38b in appropriate locations in the
skate frame 16. The configuration of the attachment tab 32
and the arrangement of the apertures 38a,b is dependent
upon the design of the frame 16. For instance, some frame
designs have two separate portions for supporting the
wheels 14 forward and aft on the skate 10. In such cases,
it may be necessary for the attachment tab 32 to have a
pair of arms for attaching to each of the separate
portions of the frame 16. It will be understood that such
alternative tab 32 designs fall within the spirit of the
present invention.
The apertures 38a,b are spaced vertically from
each other to provide a means for adjusting the height of
the brake head 34 relative to the skating surface 26. This
allows a skater to adjust the point at which the brakes
will be actuated as discussed further below. Alternative
forms of height adjustment means may be used including the
rack-and-pinion assembly shown in Figure 7 and described
below with respect to a second embodiment of the
invention.
It is preferred that the brake assembly 30 is
attached to the sidewall 20 on the inside edge of each
skate 10. In this way, the brakes can be actuated by the
skater tipping both skates toward each other which is a
natural balancing position for a skater.
The brake head 34 is pivotally connected to the
attachment tab 32 by a hinge 40. The hinge 40 includes a
return spring 42 that biases the brake head 34 away from
the wheel 14. A backstop 44 is located at the lower end of
the attachment tab 32 to position the brake head 34
generally parallel to the sides of the wheels 14. As will
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be described further below, the return spring 42 ensures
that the brakes are disengaged until actuated by the
skater. While the attachment tab 32, brake head 34, hinge
and return spring 42 are described as separate
elements, it will be understood that they could be
integrally formed as a one piece unit. This is possibly
due to the advances in materials technology which provide
plastics having a high degree of durability and
resiliency. In such cases, the hinge 40 may be formed by
a score line defined between the attachment tab 32 and the
brake head 34. The resiliency of the plastic material
causes the hinge 40 to act as a return spring 42 as well.
A brake pad 46 is attached to one side of the
brake head 34 by glue, tape, rivets, screws or any other
convenient fastening means known to one skilled in the
art. The brake pad 46 is made from a durable material,
such as rubber or other suitable polymers, that is adapted
to frictionally engage the side of the wheel 14. It is
preferred that the brake pad 46 material is sufficiently
smooth to avoid sudden braking of the wheel 14 and to
permit braking in a controlled manner depending on the
braking force applied. The brake pad 46 is shaped so that
the full pad 46 surface engages the side of the wheel 14
when the brake head 34 has been pivoted a sufficient
amount.
As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the brake head 34
preferably extends across the sides of at least two wheels
14 located on either side of the centre of the skate 10.
This allows the braking force to be applied in a balanced
manner without causing the skate 10 to pitch forwardly or
rearwardly (depending on the direction of travel). Figure
5 shows a pair of brake pads 46 for engaging the two
middle wheels 14 of the skate 10. It will be appreciated
that a single continuous brake pad 46 could be provided
instead. Also, it will be appreciated that a longer brake
head 34 could be provided for placing brake pads 46 into
engagement with more than two of the wheels 14.
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A sensor 48 is defined on the other side of the
brake head 34. The sensor 48 is adapted to contact the
skating surface and move the brake head 34 and brake pads
46 toward the wheels 14. The sensor 48 is formed from a
durable smooth material such as a hard plastic that can
withstand frictional contact with the skating surface 26
without incurring significant wear. The sensor 48 is
preferably rounded on its face to allow a skater to
incrementally vary the braking force. This range of motion
provided by the rounded face also allows the sensor to
operate on uneven skating surfaces 26 such as may be
encountered during off-road skating. It should be noted
that the sensor 48 has a constant shape along the length
of the brake head 34. This allows the sensor 48 to operate
in the same manner when the skater is moving forwardly or
rearwardly.
The angle of the skate relative to a skating
surface 26 is defined herein as the attack angle ~. When
the skate is upright, the attack angle O is 90. This
angle ~ will become more acute as the skate is tipped to
one side until a critical point C where the skate can be
tipped no further without the wheel 14 losing contact with
the skating surface 26.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it may be seen how
the brake assembly 30 operates. By tipping the skate 10 to
the side of the frame 16 that supports the brake assembly
30, the attack angle ô is decreased until the sensor 48
contacts the skating surface 26. As the attack angle ~ is
further decreased, the sensor 48 causes the brake head 34
to pivot on its hinge 40 toward the wheels 14. Nhen the
attack angle ~ equals or exceeds an actuation point P the
brake pads 46 are brought into frictional engagement with
the sides of the wheels 14. The braking force can then be
varied by varying the attack angle ô over a range between
the actuation point P and the critical point C. The more
acute the attack angle ~ of the skate 10, the stronger the
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g
braking force. As a result, the skater can apply the
braking force in a controlled and balanced manner.
A second embodiment of the brake assembly is
shown at 70 in Figs. 7 to 9. The brake assembly 70 is
attached to a similar type of roller skate 10 as shown in
Fig. 1 and for convenience the same reference numerals are
used to refer to the skate 10 elements.
Referring to Fig. 7, the brake assembly 70 is
attached to the frame 16 by a guide housing 72. The guide
housing 72 is connected to the frame 16 by means of
fasteners 73 such as glue, clips, screws, or any other
convenient fastening means known to one skilled in the
art. As shown, the guide housing 72 sits within the
channel 24 defined between the sidewalls 20 of the frame
16.
The brake assembly 70 includes a brake head 74
that is connected to one end of a piston 76 that moves
within the guide housing 72. The piston 76 is suspended
from a threaded pin 90 as described further below. The
brake head 74 includes a sensor 78 and a pair of brake
pads 80. The brake pads 80 are adapted to engage the
circumferential edges of adjacent wheels 14 according to
movements of the sensor 78. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the
sensor 78 protrudes to one side of the skate 10 and is
adapted to contact the skating surface 26 when the skate
10 has been tipped sideways.
It will now be seen how the brake assembly 70
operates. When the attack angle H of the skate 10 equals
or exceeds the actuation point P, the sensor 78 causes the
brake head 74 and piston 76 to move upwardly until the
brake pads 80 engage the wheels 14. As shown in Fig. 7, a
float space 82 is defined at the upper end of the guide
housing 72 for allowing upward movement of the piston 76.
A return spring 84 is positioned between an end wall 86 of
the guide housing 72 and the free end of the piston 76.
The return spring urges the piston 76 downwardly away from
the end wall 86. This ensures that the brake pads 80 are
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disengaged from the wheels 14 until the attack angle
reaches or exceeds the actuation point P.
A height adjustment means extends from the end
wall 86 of the guide housing 72 for adjusting the height
of the brake head 74 relative to the skating surface 26.
- The height adjustment means comprises a rack-and-pinion
assembly having a threaded pin 90 that fits into a
corresponding threaded bore 92 defined in the free end of
the piston 76. By rotating the threaded pin 90 a desired
amount, the height of the sensor from the skating surface
26 can be precisely varied. This in turn varies the
actuation point P at which the sensor 78 will cause the
brake pads 80 to contact the wheels 14.
Further embodiments of the brake assembly 30,70
are conceivable. The two embodiments described above
incorporate a sensor 48,78 that requires physical contact
with the skating surface 26 to actuate the brakes.
Alternatively, a sensor can be provided that identifies
variances in the attack angle ~ without actually
contacting the skating surface 26. Such a sensor could
operate using the principles of a plumb bob, carpenter's
level or mercury switch to mechanically or electronically
actuate the brakes.
Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a
third embodiment of a brake assembly 100 attached to a
skate 10 by an attachment means 101. The brake assembly
includes a sensor 102 that does not require physical
contact with the skating surface 26 to actuate the brakes.
Instead, the sensor 102 incorporates a mercury switch 104,
or another suitable attack angle ~ sensor means known to
one skilled in the art, to identify variances in the
attack angle a. The mercury switch 104 is electrically
connected by a transmitter 105 to a brake head 106. The
brake head 106 moves a brake pad 108, using a motor 110 or
other movement means, into contact with the wheels 14. The
mercury switch 104 is capable of identifying variances in
the attach angle ~ between the actuation point P and
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critical point C, and transmits such variances to the
brake head 106 to vary the braking force. The brake
assembly 100 is connected to a power supply 112 to operate
the motor 100.
While the brake assemblies described above are
designed as after-market items that may be installed to
existing skates 10, it will be understood that the brake
assembly may be designed for fitting to a skate 10 at the
time of manufacture. In such a case, the means for
attaching the brake head (e.g. the attachment tab 32 or
guide housing 72) to the frame 16 may change according to
the most efficient mode of manufacture and installation.
It is to be understood that what has been
described are preferred embodiments of the invention. The
invention nonetheless is susceptible to certain changes
and alternative embodiments fully comprehended by the
spirit of the invention as described above, and the scope
of the claims set out below.
