ROLLER FOR A SKATING DEVICE

Abstract

A roller for a skating device comprising a first material having a minimum elastic modulus of 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa and/or the maximum elastic modulus of the first material having 10 GPa, preferably at most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2018/052964, filed Feb. 6, 2018, claiming priority to EP 17155055.1, filed Feb. 7, 2017, the entire contents of each which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

Ice skating has been known for centuries and known as a preferred leisure, sport, and fitness activity. Roller skating was created to simulate ice-skating on a solid ground. First models of rollers skates were so called quad skates. They had four wheels placed in two lines. Quad skates were not as fast and maneuverable as ice skates, but still became very popular among people in 60s and 70s. The new age of skating began in the 90s when inline outdoor roller skates were introduced to the general public. The inline skates are faster and more maneuverable than the quad skates, but the experience is still not completely similar to ice skating. Inline skates have no opportunity to use the hockey stop and side slide breaking.

Several attempts were made to further improve inline skates.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,335 (B2) features an omni-directional wheel which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,138 (A) features an in-line roller skate including an elongate base plate having a top side to which a boot is secured, and an underside that mounts four wheel assemblies, the front wheel assembly having a fixed orientation and the remaining assemblies each having a caster-like construction. Springs bias each of the caster-like assemblies in a straight-ahead orientation, and first and second near-vertically extending fixed brake surfaces are spaced on opposite sides of the rearward most wheel such that the wheel frictionally engages a brake surface whenever the wheel is substantially turned to one direction or the opposite direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,550 (A) features a shaft extending in the skating directions supported by stanchions depending from a boot plate. Spherical wheels formed by hemispherical segments are rotatably secured to the shaft in fixed axial position by a ring member having wing axles extending transversely the shaft axis, the ring member being rotatable about bearing members secured to the shaft. One of the bearing members has a braking cam with a pair of oppositely positioned recesses which mate with a corresponding braking detent mechanism mounted in each wing axle. Each wheel segment is independently rotatably secured to a wing axle for rotation in the skating directions. The wing axles rotate with the wheels about the shaft in response to a stopping action transverse to the skating directions to provide a braking resistance in response to the detent mechanism riding against the cam surface. Different spring loads and springs are provided to allow for different skating stroke and stopping forces.

US application 2006/0214394 (A1) features the multi-directional skates with each skate being an assembly having a skate boot, at least four roller assemblies, and a skid plate. The skate boot is a traditional in-line/aggressive skate-type boot including an upper shoe portion and a sole portion. The roller assemblies each include a substantially spherical roller or ball that act as rolling surfaces for skate, allowing it to create movement in any direction, not just forward and backward, but also sideways and complete 360-degree movement. The number and alignment of the roller assemblies may be modified according to the desires of the individual skater, but they are intended to be aligned such that each skate is capable of balancing itself it an upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,308 (B1) features a roller skate which includes a frame, a structure for fixing the frame to a person's foot, and at least two balls, which are freely rotatably supported by concave rollers. Axes of rotation of the rollers extend in a horizontal direction, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the frame. A roller is located between the two balls which are arranged side by side. The roller bears against both balls during operation. This document is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,263 (A) features skates employing balls as the primary rolling elements which may be used in lieu of roller skates for street hockey or indoors on wood floors, concrete or other hard surfaces. In the preferred form the skate includes two balls, preferably of semi-hardened rubber, metal, wood, plastic or the like, one in the front and one at the rear of the skate. Each ball is supported by a set of rolling supports which allow the ball to rotate freely in a forward or backward direction but inhibits rotation of the ball in other directions. The supports include at least two transverse shafts on which are mounted spaced rollers or rings of different diameters and contoured to mate with the upper portion of the ball. The different size rollers are independently rotatable on the shaft to compensate for the different surface speeds of the ball as it rolls forwards or backwards. Since the rollers can rotate only about the transverse axis of the shaft, the friction produced between the ball and the supports in a direction other than forwards and backwards inhibits sidewise movement of the skate. A pusher block is provided at the forward end of the skate allowing the wearer to push himself forwardly either by tipping the block against the skating surface or by a sidewise pushing motion much like an ice skate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,011 (A) features a braking device for in-line skates including a resiliently biased, pivotally mounted load bearing wheel. The resilient element prevents contact between the wheel and a skate mounted braking surface during normal skating movements. The braking device is activated by exerting sufficient downward force on the load bearing wheel to overcome the resilient bias and thereby making frictional contact between the load bearing wheel and the braking surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,344 (B1) features a multidirectional roller skate device and an associated method of using the device. The device includes a foot platform having a plurality of rolling units attached to the bottom of the foot platform. The foot platform may be either a boot for use as a roller skate or a board for use as a skate board. Each rolling unit includes a wheel, an axle, a fork, and a steering housing. The fork has a top ring; two opposing arms attached to the top ring of the fork; a first flange attached to the top ring of the fork; and a second flange attached to the top ring of the fork The steering housing has: a top plate attached to the foot platform and pivotally attached to the fork; an anchor shaft attached to the top plate; a first coil spring having a first and a second end, the first end of the first coil spring is attached to the first flange of the fork, the second end of the first coil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steering housing; a second coil spring having a first and second end, the first end of the second coil spring is attached to the second flange of the fork, the second end of the second coil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steering housing; and a rectangular bearing set attached to the steering housing and attached to the fork. The method of using the device includes the steps of balancing, bending, contacting, lifting, obtaining, placing, pushing, repeating, and standing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,762 (A) features a multidirectional in-line roller skate comprising a boot to receive a foot of a skater. The boot has a sole. A frame is provided. A facility is for securing the frame to a bottom surface of the sole of the boot. A plurality of spherical wheel assemblies is also provided. A subassembly is for mounting each spherical wheel assembly in a removable manner to a bottom surface of the frame centrally along a common place, so that each spherical wheel assembly can rotate horizontally along a riding surface. An assemblage is for revolving each spherical wheel assembly vertically three hundred and sixty degrees in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction upon the riding surface, to allow the skater to perform tight figure skating maneuvers on the riding surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,565 (B1) features a skate assembly that allows a skater forward/backward motion as well as side-to-side motion. Various aspects of the skate assembly can be adjusted to fit the size and weight of the skater, the skill level of the skater, the skating or playing style of the skater, and the various surfaces to which it might come into contact. In one configuration the skate assembly is comprised of a plurality of linearly aligned roller assemblies. The skate assembly includes at least one friction plate mounted on the inside edge of the skate frame that provides a push-off area used by the skater to initiate motion, accelerate, or stop. In another configuration the skate assembly is comprised of at least one roller assembly interposed between a pair of conventional wheels. The pair of conventional wheels provides stability when the skater is moving in either a forward or backward direction since these two wheels are confined to rotation in a single plane. When the skater wishes to move laterally he or she tilts the skates, for example by inwardly angling both knees, causing the conventional wheels to be raised from the rolling surface and placing all of the skater's weight on the omni-directional, i.e., substantially spherical, rollers. At this point lateral skate motion is as easy as linear skate motion. The roller within each of the roller assemblies can be mounted between two sets of bearings mounted on either side of the roller; between an upper bearing set and a set of bearings that surrounds the roller; or within a roller cavity that has been coated with a low friction coating.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a new and/or alternate device and/or method to allow a user rolling over a substantially even surface. The present invention particularly provides a roller to house a ball with advantageous properties. The angle of the surface in relation to the axis of the roller can provide a more comfortable travel for a user while at the same time limiting noise during use and can also reduce friction. At the same time a suitable hardness can limit abrasion and prolong lifetime.

The roller according to the present invention is directed to find use in a skating device.

A roller can comprise a first material having a minimum elastic modulus of 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa. Further the maximum elastic modulus of the first material can have 10 GPa, preferably at most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

The roller can comprise an outer section and/or a layer being formed of the first material and a core having a second material.

The roller can be circumferenced by a surface comprising a substantially concave shape. However, the shape can vary and comprise an hourglass form.

Further, the roller can be circumferenced by a surface comprising two truncated right circular cones connected together on their smaller diameter faces with or without a spacer bar. This spacer bar can be provided between the two smaller diameter faces by a conical shaped and/or a polygonal or similar shaped spacer bar.

These two truncated right circular cones can also be separated and even be separately suspended separately on the same axle or on two separate axles.

The roller can comprise an angle α between the axis of the roller and the surface of the roller of at least α=10°, preferably at least α=12°, more preferably at least α=14°. Further the angle α can comprise at the most α=25°, preferably at the most α=20°, more preferably at the most α=17°.

The surface of the roller can further comprise a second and further angles β, γ, to prevent the ball escape from the roller in case of harsh breaking or transverse maneuver by the user, from the intended position in relation to the roller.

The roller can comprise a minimum Poisson's ratio of 0.30, preferably at least 0.35, and more preferably at least 0.39. Further, the maximum Poisson's ratio of the roller can be 0.50, preferably at most 0.45, and more preferably at most 0.41.

Each singular roller can have a minimum weight of 5 g, preferably at least 10 g, more preferably at least 20 g, more preferably at least 30 g, more preferably at least 35 g, more preferably at least 40 g, and even more preferably at least 49 g. Further the maximum weight of the roller can be 100 g, preferably at most 90 g, more preferably at most 80 g, more preferably at most 70 g, more preferably at most 60 g, and even more preferably at most 51 g.

The minimum outer diameter of the roller can be 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, and more preferably at least 2.9 cm. A maximum outer diameter of the roller can be 5 cm, preferably at most 4 cm, and more preferably at most 3.1 cm.

The roller can comprise one section having an at least mostly concave shape and/or is adapted to provide contact with the ball at least at one point and/or one contacting surface, preferably at least at two points and/or two contacting surfaces, more preferably at least at one elliptical surface and/or two elliptical surfaces.

The roller can rotate by means of an axle, which can be arranged to pass centrally through the roller. Further the roller can be connected to the axle by means of at least one bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allows the roller to transfer an angular momentum from the ball to the bearings.

The surface of the roller can further comprise a pattern, used to adjust the coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, and/or can comprise a design and/or a text.

A skating device can comprise at least two rollers according to the above and the following descriptions. Preferably, at least three rollers, and more preferably at least four rollers can be provided, most preferably one roller more than the number of balls implied.

The skating device can comprise at least two rollers and can further comprise a chassis and a support for fixing a boot.

A method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device is disclosed particularly according to the above and following descriptions, allowing a minimum elastic modulus of the roller to be 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa. Further the maximum elastic modulus of the roller can be 10 GPa, preferably a most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

The method for manufacturing a roller which can comprise a core and an outer layer is disclosed.

Further, a method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device is described, allowing the minimum Poisson's ratio can have a value of 0.30, preferably at least 0.35, and more preferably at least 0.39. The maximum Poisson's ratio of the roller can be at most 0.50, preferably at most 0.45, and more preferably at most 0.41.

The method for manufacturing a roller is disclosed allowing the minimum weight of the roller to be 5 g, preferably at least 10 g, more preferably at least 20 g, more preferably at least 30 g, more preferably at least 35 g, more preferably at least 40 g, and even more preferably at least 49 g. Further the maximum weight of the roller can be 100 g, preferably at most 90 g, more preferably at most 80 g, more preferably at most 70 g, more preferably at most 60 g, and even more preferably at most 51 g.

The method for manufacturing a roller, allowing the minimum outer diameter to be 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, and more preferably at least 2.9 cm. A maximum outer diameter of the roller to be 5 cm, preferably at most 4 cm, and more preferably at most 3.1 cm may be provided.

The method for manufacturing a roller is described allowing the roller to comprise at least one section which can be at least mostly concave and/or can be adapted to provide contact with the ball at least at one point or contacting surface, preferably at least at two points or contacting surfaces, or at least at one elliptical surface.

The method for manufacturing a roller can allow the roller to rotate by means of a rotational axis, which can be arranged to pass centrally through the roller, can be connected to the roller by means of at least one bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allows the roller to transfer an angular momentum from the ball to a chassis.

The method for manufacturing a roller (20) for a skating device (1) according to any of the claims 15 to 21, allowing the roller (20) to further comprise to comprise a pattern on the surface of the roller (20), used to adjust the coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, and/or to comprise a design and/or a text.

The method for manufacturing a skating device that can comprise at least two rollers, preferably at least three rollers, and more preferably at least four rollers, most preferably one roller more than the number of balls implied.

The method for manufacturing the skating device can allow the skating device to further comprise the chassis and a support for fixing a boot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to give further understanding of the invention, without limiting the scope.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller according to one of the embodiments hereof;

FIGS. 2a-2b depict aspects of a roller according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 3 shows the skating device as a whole comprising at least one ball and a chassis.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, a series of elements is described. The skilled person will appreciate that unless specified by the context, the number or the position of elements is not critical for the resulting configuration and its effect.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller 20 comprising an axle 25, a ball bearing 30 and a surface 22 according to one of the embodiments of the invention. The skating device 1 (FIG. 3) can be adapted to provide a skater an experience to some extent comparable to the one of ice-skating and/or roller skating. To achieve this kind of experience, the device is adapted to allow balls 15 to rotate in all directions where friction depends on the direction of rotation of the ball, where the minimal friction can be in the forward/backward direction of a skating device 1, and the maximal friction is in the direction perpendicular to the forward/backward one. The rollers 20 keep the balls 15 (FIG. 3) at their position within the skating device 1. The individual ball 15 (FIG. 3) can have contact to the roller 20 comprising a substantially concave shape, at least at one point, preferably at two points. In this embodiment the roller 20 is resting on an axle in abutment with a ball bearing. However, it should be understood, that any other bearing is admissible. For instance, a fixed axle can be provided and the revolving motion of the rollers is conferred via bearings 30 at the support between the axle 25 and the chassis 5.

A section and/or layer 27 comprising the first material can be seen attached over a core of a second material to on the one hand enable various properties and on the other hand ensure friction amounting as little as possible between the roller 20 and the ball 15 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 2a The roller 20 in this embodiment comprises an hourglass shape with one truncated right circular cone 23 inversely interposed, with a second truncated right circular cone 23 at their smaller diameters. At the location of the junction of the two cones a spacer can be fitted, the spacer can have cylindrical and/or a polygonal or similar shape. The outer diameter D to the inner diameter d are dimensioned so that a preferred angle α can be achieved. The angle α is the angle between the axle 25 and the surface 22.

The surface 22 can be attached to the core 23. This assembly 23 and 22 can be rotationally attached to the axle 25. In this embodiment the core 23 is secured to at least one ball bearing 30 to realize little friction while the roller 20 is rotating.

FIG. 2b focuses on the angle(s) of the surface 22 of the roller 20. Angle α represents the angle between the axis 25 (FIG. 2a) of the roller 20 and the surface 22 of the roller 20. This angle can be assumed to allow the ball 15 to be guided by the rollers 20 suffering from as little as possible friction to enable ease of use of the skating device 1.

Angle β can be provided to prevent, in case of harsh breaking or transverse maneuver by the user, the ball 15 to escape from the intended position of the roller 20.

FIG. 3 shows the skating device 1 as a whole comprising at least one ball 15 and a chassis 5.

EMBODIMENTS

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the disclosure is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to fulfill aspects of the present invention. The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here a relative term, such as “about”, “substantially”, “ca.”, “generally”, “at least”, “at the most” or “approximately” is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly) straight”. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

In the claims, the terms “comprises/comprising”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.

Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be the preferred order, but it may not be mandatory to carry out the steps in the recited order. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may not be mandatory. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like “after” or “before” are used.

It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A roller for a skating device comprising an outer section being formed of a first material, wherein the first material comprises an elastic modulus in a range of E=1 GPa to E=10 GPa.

26. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein the first material comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2 GPa to E=5 GPa.

27. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein the first material comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2.9 GPa to E=3.1 GPa.

28. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, comprising a layer being formed of the first material and a core having a second material.

29. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25 wherein a circumferential surface of the roller comprising a substantially concave shape, a cylindrical form, or an hourglass form.

30. The roller for a skating device according to claim 29, the circumferential surface of the roller comprising two truncated right circular cones connected together on the smaller diameter faces.

31. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, comprising an angle α between an axis of the roller and the surface of the roller wherein a is in a range of α=10 degrees to α=25 degrees.

32. The roller for a skating device according to claim 31, comprising a second angle β further bending the surface of the roller.

33. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein a Poisson's ratio of the roller is in a range of μ=0.30 to μ=0.45.

34. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein a weight of the roller is in a range of 20 g to 100 g.

35. The roller for a skating device according to claim 34, wherein the weight of the roller is in a range of 47 g to 53 g.

36. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein an outer diameter (D) of the roller is in a range of 2 cm to 4 cm.

37. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, further comprising a section having a concave shape and is adapted to provide contact with a ball at one point, at one contacting surface or at an elliptical surface.

38. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25 wherein, the roller is adapted to rotate using an axle, which is arranged to pass centrally through the roller, further the axle is configured to be connected to the roller using a bearing or a sliding surface and allow the roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis.

39. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, further comprising a pattern on the surface of the roller, said pattern configured to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability and color.

40. A skating device comprising two or more rollers according to claim 25, and further comprising a chassis and a support for fixing to a boot.

41. A method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device particularly according to claim 25, allowing a minimum weight of the roller to be 30 g, and a maximum weight to be 60 g.

42. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to comprise a section which concave and is adapted to provide contact with a ball at one point or contacting surface, or an elliptical surface.

43. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to rotate using a rotational axis, wherein, the rotational axis is arranged to pass centrally through the roller, and is configured to be connected to the roller by using a bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allow the roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis.

44. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to further comprise to comprise a pattern on the surface of the roller, used to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, and/or to comprise a design and/or a text.