Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02273638 1999-06-04
IN-LINE ROLLER SKATE WITH
ECCENTRICALLY MOUNTED PIVOT WHEEL FRAMES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheel frame for use with in-line roller
skates, and in particular,
relates to in-line roller skates with eccentrically mounted, single pivot
wheel frames.
Wheel frames, or mounts of in-line roller skates are well known in the art,
for example U.S.
5,690,344 to Kim Chen, U.S. 5,634,648 to Tonel, et al., U.S. 5,405,156 to
Gonella, U.S. 5,390,958
to Soo, U.S. 5,342,071 to Soo. However, the in-line skates of the prior art,
and their wheel frames,
are not particularly adapted to providing with increased manoeuverability,
flexibility and ease of
ride. In particular, the prior art does not provide for a wheel frame which
allows a first or front
wheel to be raised, or rotated upwardly in order to overcome (i.e. ride over)
an obstacle such as a
rock, twig or other such obstacles. The patents which allow for a front wheel
to be raised upwardly
however, are provided with wheel frames which are pivoted about two or more
pivot points,
therefore, needlessly complicating the construction of the wheel frame, adding
unnecessary costs,
and unnecessary weight to the skate. Further, single pivot wheel frames
disclosed in the prior art
are not eccentrically mounted about their pivot point, and therefore do not
make use of the
mechanical advantage which may result from eccentrically mounted wheels.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved
in-line roller skate
having improved wheel frames.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an in-line
roller skate with eccentrically
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mounted wheel frames in order to facilitate the use of the in-line roller
skate over rough or uneven
train.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an in-line
roller skate with eccentrically
mounted, single pivot, wheel frames in order to facilitate the use of the in-
line roller skate over rough
or uneven train.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an in-line
roller skate with eccentrically
mounted, single pivot, wheel frames in order to increase the manoeuverability
of the skate.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for an improved in-
line roller skate wheel
frame of more economical construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a general embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided for:
an in-line roller skate comprising
a boot
at least one wheel frame comprising at least two wheels rotatably mounted on
said
wheel frame
wherein said at least one wheel frame is eccentrically, pivotally mounted to
said boot.
In accordance with a further aspect, there is provided for an:
in-line roller skate comprising
a boot
a sole plate affixed to said boot
a first wheel frame having a front wheel and a rear wheel rotatably mounted
thereon
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a second wheel frame having a front wheel and a rear wheel rotatably mounted
thereon
wherein said first wheel frame is eccentrically, pivotally mounted to said
sole plate at a first single
pivot point, such that the moment arm of the front wheel about said first
pivot point is greater than
the moment arm of the rear wheel about said first pivot point,
and
wherein said second wheel frame is eccentrically, pivotally mounted to said
sole plate at a second
single pivot point, such that the moment arm of the front wheel about said
second pivot point is
greater than the moment arm of the rear wheel about said second pivot point.
In accordance with a further aspect, there is provided for a:
wheel frame suitable for pivotable mounting to an in-line roller skate about a
single pivot
point comprising at least a forward rotational axis and a rear rotational axis
for rotatably mounting
a wheel thereon, wherein the distance from the forward rotational axis to said
pivot point is greater
than the distance from the rear rotational axis to said pivot point.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided for
an in-line roller skate
comprising a boot onto which a sole plate may be affixed. Said sole plate may
be permanently
affixed to the underside of the boot or may be removably affixed to the boot.
Further, at least one
wheel frame may be pivotally mounted onto said sole plate, and two or more
wheels may be
rotatably affixed to said wheel frame. There may be provided with only one
wheel frame which may
be pivotally mounted to the sole plate or, alternatively two or more wheel
frames may be pivotally
mounted onto said sole plate. Further, in accordance with another aspect, the
in-line roller skate may
be provided with one ore more wheel frames pivotally mounted directly to the
boot (i.e. to to
underside of the boot), therefore obviating the need for a sole plate or other
intermediate structure
between the wheel frames) and the boot.
In accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention, an in-line
skate may be provided with
two or more wheel frames, i.e. a forward wheel frame and a rear wheel frame,
each pivotally
mounted to a sole plate. Each wheel frame may comprise two wheels rotatably
mounted thereon, the
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wheels being of conventional construction. Thus, in accordance with this
embodiment, the in-line
roller skate may comprise four wheels wherein the first two may be rotatably
mounted onto a
forward wheel frame. The third and fourth wheels may be mounted onto a rear
wheel frame. One
and/or both of the wheel frames may be eccentrically, pivotally mounted to the
sole plate.
Alternatively, only one of the wheel frames may be eccentrically mounted to
the sole plate, for
example, the forward wheel frame, while the rear wheel frame may be
conventionally mounted, or
for example, the forward wheel frame may be conventionally mounted to the sole
plate while the rear
wheel frame is eccentrically pivotally mounted to the sole plate.
In accordance with a particular embodiment, the present invention provides for
a in-line roller skate
comprising a forward and a rear wheel frame each of which may be
eccentrically, pivotally mounted
to said sole plate (or directly to the boot) about a single pivot point. The
expression eccentrically
mounted is understood to mean that, with respect to a wheel frame, the axis of
rotation of the front
wheel and the axis of rotation of the rear wheel are not equidistant from the
pivot point (i.e. the pivot
axis) of the wheel frame. In other words, the pivot point of the wheel frame
is located elsewhere than
at the geometric centre of the wheel frame. For example, the distance (whether
the straight line
distance or the right angle distance) between the axis of rotation of the
front wheel and the pivot
point of the wheel frame may be greater (or smaller) than the distance between
the axis of rotation
of the rear wheel and the same pivot point. As may be understood, the pivot
point of the wheel
frame may be disposed behind the midpoint of the wheel frame (i.e. rearward of
the mid point
between the front wheel and the rear wheel), such that less force is required
to vertically pivot the
front wheel about the pivot point then would otherwise normally be required if
the front and rear
wheels were equidistant about the pivot point. The expression eccentrically
mounted may further
be understood to mean that the moment arm of the forward most wheel about the
pivot point of the
wheel frame is greater than the moment arm of the rear wheel about the pivot
point of the wheel
frame. In accordance with a further definition of eccentrically mounted, the
centre of gravity of the
wheel frame may be disposed forwardly of the single pivot point of a wheel
frame.
The difference between the distance of the front and rear wheels to the pivot
point may be termed
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the eccentricity of the wheel frame, which eccentricity may also be expressed
in terms of a ratio of
one distance over the other. The eccentricity of a wheel frame may vary
according to operational
constraints. For example, the eccentricity may be minor, such that the forward
wheel is only
slightly disposed forwardly, i.e. the ratio of the distances of the forward
wheel and rear wheel may
for example be 50.1 to 49.9. Alternatively, the eccentricity may be greater,
for example 70 to 30.
In accordance with a particular embodiment, the eccentricity of a wheel frame
may be 54.8 to 45.2,
or a ratio of 1.21. The purpose of having an eccentrically mounted wheel frame
is to take advantage
of the lever effect created about the pivot point of the wheel frame, i.e. the
mechanical advantage that
is created or gained by such eccentricity. As may be understood, there is a
mechanical advantage that
is achieved when a longer moment arm is used, therefore necessitating a
smaller force in order to
obtain the same result, i.e. enabling the front wheel to bridge an obstacle.
If the moment arm of the
forward wheel is longer than that of the rear wheel, a smaller force is
required to cause the upward
motion of the front wheel in order to overcome the obstacle in its path.
In accordance with a further aspect, a wheel frame may be rotatably fitted
with more than two
wheels, i.e. three wheels, and may still also be eccentrically, mounted about
a single pivot point onto
a sole plate or directly to a boot. In this embodiment, the distance from the
forward most wheel to
the pivot point may be greater than the distance from the rear most wheel to
the pivot point. Further,
the distance of the middle wheel to the pivot point may also be greater than
the distance of the rear
wheel to the pivot point.
In accordance with a further embodiment, the wheel frame may be configured
such that the single
pivot point of the wheel frame may be disposed intermediate the forward wheel
and the rear wheel.
Alternatively, the single pivot point of the wheel frame may be disposed
behind i.e. rearward of the
rear wheel.
CA 02273638 1999-06-04
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The forgoing an other features of the present invention may be more clearly
understood from the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an in-line roller skate fitted with
eccentrically mounted single pivot
wheel frames;
Figure 2 is a closeup schematic view of an eccentrically mounted wheel frame;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the wheel frame of Figure 2 shown overcoming
an obstacle in its
path;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an eccentrically
mounted wheel frame;
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a further alternative embodiment of an
eccentrically mounted wheel
frame;
Figure 6 is a schematic view of a further alternative embodiment of an
eccentrically mounted wheel
frame;
Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of an in-line skate having an
eccentrically mounted wheel
frame and a conventionally mounted wheel frame;
Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment of an in-line roller skate;
Figure 9 is an alternative embodiment of the eccentrically mounted wheel frame
of figure 2;
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Figure 10 is an alternative embodiment of an in-line skate further comprising
a rear mounted brake;
Figure 11 illustrates the in-line skate of Figure 10 showing the brake in use;
Figure 12 is an alternative embodiment of a wheel frame shown without wheels
rotatably mounted
thereon;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Figure 1, there is a illustrated in-line roller skate 1
fitted with eccentrically
mounted, single pivot wheel frames 19 and 21. In-line roller skate 1 comprises
a boot 2 which is
fitted with a sole plate 3 at attachment points 5 and 7. Sole plate 3
comprises a forward most portion
9 and a rear most portion 11, and although sole plate 3 is shown as having a
generally elongated
shape, it is understood that sole plate 3 may be configured and disposed in
any known manner. In-
line roller skate 1 comprises forward wheel frame 19 and rear wheel frame 21,
each of which is
shown to be pivotally mounted to sole plate 3 by a single pivot 31 and 33
respectively. Said pivots
31 and 33 may for example comprise a pin disposed in a slot, not shown.
Forward wheel frame 19
comprises two wheels 23 and 25 each rotatably disposed of forward frame 19
about rotation axis 35
and 37 respectively, through for example, a pin disposed in a slot. Rear wheel
frame 21 is also
shown fitted with two wheels 27 and 29 each of which is rotatably affixed to
rear wheel frame 21
about rotation axis 39 and 41, through for example, a pin disposed in a slot.
Although forward wheel
frame 19 and rear wheel frame 21 are shown to be substantially similar to each
other, it is understood
that they may be different one from the other, i.e. one may comprise more than
two wheels, may not
be pivotable, etc...
Forward wheel frame 19 is configured and disposed to be pivotally mounted onto
sole plate 3 about
a single pivot axis 31. Further, the mounting of forward wheel frame 19 to
said sole plate 3 is
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eccentric, namely that the right angle distance 43 from the axis of rotation
of wheel 23 to the pivot
point of forward frame 19 is greater than distance 45 from the axis of
rotation of wheel 25 to the
same pivot point 31. As shown, distance 43 is several times greater than
distance 45, but it is
understood that distance 43 may be only slightly larger than distance 45. Rear
wheel frame 21 is
configured and disposed similarly to forward wheel frame 19, with right angle
distance 44 of wheel
27 about pivot point 33 being greater than the distance 46 of wheel 29 about
pivot point 33. As
shown in Figure 1, distance 43 is equal to distance 44 and distance 45 is
equal to distance 46 but it
is understood that distance 43 may be greater than or less than distance 44
while distance 45 maybe
greater than or less than distance 46. Each of the distances 43 and 45 may
also be defined as the
moment arm of wheels 23 and 25 respectively about pivot point 31, while each
of the distances 44
and 46 may be defined to be the moment arm of wheels 27 and 29 respectively
about pivot point 33.
Figure 2 illustrates a closeup of an eccentrically mounted wheel frame 51
comprising wheels 59 and
58 rotatably mounted thereon. Wheel 59 is rotatably mounted on wheel frame 51
about axis 55 and
rear wheel 58 is rotatably mounted to wheel frame 51 about axis 57. As shown,
wheels 59 and 58
are touching the ground 50 and it is understood that the forward motion of
travel of the wheel frame,
and of the in-line roller skate I (not shown) is illustrated by motion arrow
69. As may be seen, the
moment arm 61 of wheel 59 about pivot point 53 is greater than the moment arm
63 of wheel 58
about pivot point 53. Wheel frame 51 further comprises a weight saving cut-out
portion 52 which
may be configured in any known manner. Although shown as being generally
triangular in shape,
wheel frame 51 may be configured as desired or required.
Figure 3 illustrates the wheel frame 51 of Figure 2 overcoming an obstacle 64
in the path of motion
of the in-line roller skate. Roller skate 1 (not shown) moving in the
direction of motion arrow 69,
in attempting to overcome obstacle 64, will cause wheel 59, and the forward
portion 56 of frame 51
to be displaced upwardly in the direction of motion arrow 65 and
correspondingly, will cause wheel
frame 51 to be pivoted about pivot point 53 in the direction of motion arrow
67. The eccentric
mounting of wheel frame 51 about pivot point 53 creates a mechanical advantage
which may
facilitate said motion of the wheel frame 51, therefore reducing the force
required to lift wheel 59
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upwardly in the direction of motion arrow 65.
Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of an eccentrically mounted wheel frame
90 comprising
forward wheel 93 and rear wheel 95. In accordance with this embodiment, moment
arm 97 of
forward wheel 93 about pivot point 91 is greater than moment arm 99 of rear
wheel 95 about pivot
point 91, and pivot point 91 is disposed behind rearmost wheel 95.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an eccentrically
mounted wheel frame
71. As shown, wheel frame 71 comprises a forward wheel 71, a middle wheel 75
and a rear wheel
77 rotatably mounted to said rear frame about rotation axis 79, 81 and 83
respectively. As shown,
moment arm 85 of forward wheel 73 about pivot point 70 is greater than moment
arm 87 of rear
wheel 77 about a pivot point 70. Further, middle wheel 75 may be configured
and disposed such
that moment arm 89 of middle wheel 75 about pivot point 70 is greater than
moment arm 87 of rear
wheel 77.
Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of an eccentrically mounted wheel frame
80 in accordance
with the present invention. As illustrated, wheel frame 80 comprises in
addition to forward wheel
87 a second wheel frame 84 pivotally mounted about pivot point 86. Second
wheel frame 84
comprises wheels 88 and 89 rotatably mounted thereon. The moment arm 92 of
forward wheel 87
is larger than the moment arm 94 of pivot point 86 about pivot point 82.
Further, second wheel
frame 84 is configured and disposed such that moment arm 96 of wheel 88 about
pivot point 86 is
greater than moment arm 98 of wheel 89 about pivot 86.
Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of an in-line skate 1 having an
eccentrically mounted wheel
frame 19 and a conventionally mounted wheel frame 21. As shown, moment arm 47
of wheel 27
about pivot point 33 is equal to moment arm 49 of wheel 29 about pivot point
33. Alternatively,
moment arm 43 of rear wheel 23 about pivot point 31 is greater than moment arm
45 of wheel 25
about pivot point 31.
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Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment of an in-line roller skate 100 wherein
wheel frame 107 and
wheel frame 109 are affixed directly to the boot via attachment point 1 O 1
and 102. As shown, wheel
frame 107 and 109 are eccentrically mounted about a single pivot point 103 and
105 respectively.
Figure 9 is an alternative embodiment of the eccentrically mounted wheel frame
51 as shown in
figure 2. As may be seen, the pivot point (pivot axis) 54 has been lowered in
comparison to the pivot
point 53 (shown in brackets) of the embodiment of figure 2. The lowering of
the pivot point 54
provides a further mechanical advantage, as the closer pivot point 54 is to
the imaginary line drawn
between axis 55 and 57, the easier it is for wheel frame 51 to pivot about
pivot point 54.
Figure 10 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an in-line
roller skate 120 fitted with
a brake 133 disposed at the rear most portion 130 of sole plate 126. Brake 133
may comprise a
cylinder fixedly disposed on sole plate 126 i.e. namely that it is not
rotatable. As may further be
seen in Figure 10, when the user of an in-line skate 120 desires to brake his
or her emotion, the front
of the foot, i.e. the front of the boot may be rotated upwardly in the
direction of motion arrow 140
such that a relative rotation of the boot 120 and the rear wheel frame 123 may
be caused about pivot
point 124. This relative motion i.e. or relative displacement characterised by
arrows 141 and 142
will cause wheel 131 to eventually come onto contact with fixed brake 133.
This contact will,
through frictional engagement of wheel 131 and brake 133, cause skate 122 to
slowdown and
eventually, if enough friction is generated, to come to a stop.
Figure 12 is an alternative embodiment of a wheel frame 150 shown without
wheels rotatably
mounted thereon. As illustrated, wheel frame 150 comprises a forward or front
rotational axis 151
and a rear rotational axis 152, each of which is configured and disposed to
accept therein a shaft
supporting a wheel (not shown). Wheel frame further comprises a pivot point
axis 153, which pivot
point axis is configured and disposed to be coupled (i.e. pivotally mounted)
to either a sole plate or
directly to the underside of a boot. As may be been, the moment arm 155 of the
front axis 151 is
greater than the moment arm 156 of the rear axis 152.
