Patents Assigned to Thistle Sports Enterprises, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5280931
    Abstract: A roller brake for a roller vehicle such as an in-line roller skate is mounted at an end of a substantially horizontal platform. The roller brake includes a non-rotatable brake hub connected to the chassis, the hub having a horizontal axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel. The brake hub has a circumferential periphery defining a V-shaped groove, for receiving a brake tire rotatably mounted annularly on the brake hub. The outer periphery of the brake tire is normally disposed above the ground surface but is selectively engageable with the ground surface, preferably simply by tilting the horizontal platform on an endmost ground-engaging wheel adjacent the roller brake. Contact with the ground surface engages the tire with the ground and produces rotation of the tire on the brake hub. Kinetic energy of motion is dissipated as frictional heating between the rotating brake tire and the fixed brake hub. The V-shaped groove is 120.degree. to 150.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Thistle Sports Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Burke Horton
  • Patent number: RE35493
    Abstract: A roller brake for a roller vehicle such as an in-line roller skate is mounted at an end of a substantially horizontal platform. The roller brake includes a non-rotatable brake hub connected to the chassis, the hub having a horizontal axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel. The brake hub has a circumferential periphery defining a V-shaped groove, for receiving a brake tire rotatably mounted annularly on the brake hub. The outer periphery of the brake tire is normally disposed above the ground surface but is selectively engageable with the ground surface, preferably simply by tilting the horizontal platform on an endmost ground-engaging wheel adjacent the roller brake. Contact with the ground surface engages the tire with the ground and produces rotation of the tire on the brake hub. Kinetic energy of motion is dissipated as frictional heating between the rotating brake tire and the fixed brake hub. The V-shaped groove is 120.degree. to 150.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Thistle Sports Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Burke Horton