AU6910798A

AU6910798A - Sports appliance with a two-track rolling device

Info

Publication number: AU6910798A
Application number: AU69107/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jurgen Mayer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-16
Filing date: 1998-04-16
Publication date: 1998-11-11
Also published as: JP2001523123A; AT2056U1; EP0979128A1; WO1998046316A1; CA2287433A1

Description

- 2 A sports appliance with a two-track rolling device BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a sports appliance with a two-track rolling device, in particular a skateboard, comprising at least one deck and a truck connected to said deck, with the truck having two wheel axles which is provided with a longitudinal control wheel suspension for each wheel axle, which longitudinal control wheel suspension is swivellably connected with the deck about at least one lateral axis and the wheel axle is disposed on its first end averted from the deck, with at least one elastic element acting against the direction of excursion upon at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension. Sports appliances with two-track rolling devices such as skateboards or the like are provided with a horizontal deck on which wheel axles are connected more or less rigidly by way of a steering element. Such rolling apparatuses are therefore particularly suitable for smooth surfaces. Small jolts as a result of minor unevenness in the surface and very small obstructions are transmitted onto the rider of the skateboard without any shock absorption, which impairs the riding convenience. Even relatively small obstructions or minor unevenness such as loose chippings, gravel, grooves in the pavement or the like can cause substantial impairment to the ridability of the skateboard. When medium-sized obstructions and impassable terrain is encountered such as paths without asphalt or pavements with damaged surface the skateboard will even become unusable. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART From U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,223 a sports appliance with a two track rolling device of the kind mentioned above is known which - 3 is arranged as a skateboard and which is provided with several elastic shock absorbing devices between the wheel axles and the deck. Each wheel axle is attached to a longitudinal control wheel suspension which is rotatably held on the deck in the zone of the center of the deck. In the zone of the wheel axles each longitudinal control wheel suspension is supported on the deck by way of an elastic shock absorbing element. The shock absorbing elements made of rubber or plastic are inserted into cups rigidly attached to the wheel axle housing. This arrangement allows absorbing oscillations caused by small obstructions and minor unevenness. Since the known arrangement and embodiment of the shock absorbing elements only allow very small movements of excursion of the longitudinal wheel control elements as a result of the limited compressibility of the shock absorbing elements, it is not possible to ride over medium-sized obstructions such as potholes, branches or the like or to use the skateboard outside of roads and paths. Furthermore, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,161 a skateboard is known for off-road use which comprises vibration damper elements. A vibration damper element is each attached between the deck and the wheel axle. Every vibration damper element consists of a plurality of elastic plates which are connected with the deck by way of guide pins and connecting pins. These vibration damper elements also come with the disadvantage that the travel of spring is extremely limited and thus the ridability of the skateboard is very limited in the case of medium- and large sized obstructions, even if separate vibration damping wheels which are fastened to conventional skateboard wheels are provided for further damping of the vibrations. This is to primarily enable a simple conversion of a conventional skateboard into a vehicle that can be used outside of smooth pavements. Furthermore, from WO 93/12846 Al a one-track skate is known with several wheels arranged successively in a row. In order to increase the skating convenience for the user of the skate, - 4 which is also known as an inline skate, and to keep any vibration stresses away from the user's legs as a consequence of any uneven or rough surface, the wheels are held in U-shaped longitudinal control elements which on their part are swivellably mounted on a boot carrier, with a tension spring which is connected with the boot carrier acting on the side of the longitudinal control element which is averted from the wheel. The axis of the tension spring is arranged substantially normal to the boot carrier, which is why only relatively small travels of spring and excursions of the longitudinal control element are possible. As a result, only minor unevenness and small obstructions can be compensated. This known skate is hardly suitable for use outside of roads and paths. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to avoid such disadvantages and to further develop a sports appliance of the kind mentioned above in such a way that it can even be ridden in impassable terrain and over relatively large obstructions. This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the one point of application of force of the elastic element is arranged in the zone of the half of the longitudinal control wheel suspension facing the deck, preferably in the third of the longitudinal control wheel suspension facing the deck, ideally in the zone of the lateral axis, with the elastic element being movably, preferably swivellably, held on the longitudinal control wheel suspension, and that an angle formed between the vertical axis of the deck and an axis of the elastic element is different to O', preferably greater than i 301 , and particularly preferably greater than l ± 60 | . This ensures that even in the case of a relatively small change in length of the elastic element a large travel of spring is possible in the zone of the wheels and that consequently major obstructions can be overcome with ease. In a very simple embodiment it is provided that the elastic element is held movably, preferably swivellably, in the zone of - 5 its other point of application of force on the deck or a frame element which is rigidly connected with the deck. Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the elastic element is held movably, preferably swivellably, on the other longitudinal control wheel suspension in the zone of its other point of application of force. At least the one elastic element can be arranged approximately in the zone of a lateral center plane of the rolling device. The elastic element is thus optimally protected against soiling and pollution. Moreover, a very compact embodiment of the invention which allows a relatively high amount of clearance above road surface is enabled in that the axis of the elastic element is arranged at least predominantly in the longitudinal direction of the rolling device, preferably in at least a position of the longitudinal control wheel suspension which is approximately parallel to the deck (figs. 9 to 31) . It is particularly preferable when the elastic spring element is situated immediately beneath the deck. A particularly high riding convenience in impassable terrain is achieved with one elastic element each per longitudinal control wheel suspension, with the elastic elements being arranged adjacent to one another on either side of a longitudinal center plane of the deck and preferably the axles of the elastic elements being arranged approximately parallel with respect to one another in at least one position of the longitudinal control wheel suspension. This allows achieving particularly large travels of spring of the mutually uncoupled elastic elements, providing a high clearance above road surface at the same time. The longitudinal control wheel suspension can optionally be arranged as a two-arm or single-arm lever. The relevant aspect is that the length of the lever arm of the elastic element is substantially shorter than the lever arm of the wheel axis relating to the lateral axis.

- 6 The ratio of transmission can further be increased in that the longitudinal control wheel suspension is arranged as a multiple-member gear which acts upon the elastic element in a power-transmitting manner. In a highly preferable embodiment the longitudinal control wheel suspension is arranged as a four-member gear, with the longitudinal control wheel suspension being swivellably connected via two rotatable wheels with the deck at its deck-side end zone. It is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the longitudinal control wheel suspension is arranged as a link chain, with two mutually swivellably connected links being mutually connected by way of an elastic element. The elastic element can optionally be arranged as a tension or pressure element. In order to enable the sports appliance to be easily controlled it is provided that the truck is provided with a steering device which is disposed between the deck and at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension and which can be actuated by shifting the rider's weight in order to achieve a change of the riding direction. This embodiment leads to the advantage that the steering device is substantially protected against damaging and soiling. It is obviously also possible to arrange the steering device between at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension and a wheel axis. The elastic element can optionally be arranged as a coil, flat spiral, leaf, elastomer or as a pneumatic spring. Combinations of these types of springs are also possible. In order to increase the riding convenience it can further be provided that at least one shock absorbing element acting upon the longitudinal control wheel suspension is provided parallel to the elastic element. The shock absorbing element can be arranged as an oil dampener, pneumatic shock absorber or as a frictional damper. It is further possible that the rolling device is provided with two decks which are jointly connected by means of a pivot. The steering of the sports appliance occurs by relative twisting of the decks among one another, so that separate steering dev-ices which are based on shifting the rider's weight can be omitted. The off-road capabilities and the riding convenience can further be increased in that the wheels held on the wheel axles are provided with compressed-air-filled or gas-filled tires. In addition, the application of multi-layered wheels or such filled with foamed material is also possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now explained in closer detail by reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a rolling device with a deck comprising a longitudinal control wheel suspension as arranged in accordance with the invention in a first embodiment; Fig. la shows the longitudinal control wheel suspension in accordance with the invention in a second embodiment in a rolling device with two decks; Figs. 2 and 3 shows the longitudinal control wheel suspension in accordance with the invention in a third embodiment; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the longitudinal control wheel suspension in a fourth embodiment; Fig. 7 shows a front view of a rolling device in a fifth embodiment; Fig. 8 shows a detail of a longitudinal control wheel suspension in a sixth embodiment; Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal control wheel suspension in a seventh embodiment; Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal control wheel suspension in an eighth embodiment; Fig. 11 shows a detail of fig. 10; - 8 Fig. 12 shows a top view of said longitudinal control wheel suspension; Figs. 13 and 14 show a ninth and tenth embodiment of a longitudinal control wheel suspension; Figs. 15 and 16 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension in an eleventh embodiment; Figs. 17 and 18 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension in a twelfth embodiment; Figs. 19 and 20 show longitudinal control wheel suspensions in a thirteenth and fourteenth embodiment; Figs. 21 and 22 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension in a fifteenth embodiment; Figs. 23, 24 and 25 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension in a sixteenth embodiment; Figs. 26, 27 and 28 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension a seventeenth embodiment; Figs. 29, 30 and 31 show a longitudinal control wheel suspension in an eighteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Components with the same function are provided with the same reference numerals in the respective embodiments. Interlinked movements of excursion of the longitudinal control wheel suspensions and the elastic elements are indicated in the figures with the arrows Si and S 2 . Fig. 1 schematically shows a sports appliance 1 arranged as a skateboard, comprising a rolling device 3 which is mounted on a truck 4 and consists of a deck 2. Truck 4 is provided with two substantially similarly arranged longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5, with each longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 having a wheel axle 7 at a first end 6. Instead of a continuous wheel axle 7 it is also possible to provide axle - 9 pivots. Two wheels 8 with air-filled tires 9 are held on the wheel axle 7. The longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is swivellably connected with the deck 2 about a lateral axis 11 in the zone of end 10 which is averted from the wheels 8. In the embodiment as shown in fig. 1 a steering device 12 is arranged between the deck 2 and the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5, which steering device allows a change in the riding direction by a shift in the rider's weight. Conventional steering devices 12 of skateboards can be used for this purpose. The longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is further connected with the deck 2 by way of an elastic element 13 which is formed in fig. 1 by a coil spring 13a. The one point of application of force 14 of the elastic element is arranged in the half of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 facing the deck 2, with the elastic element 13 being swivellably held on the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. The other point of application of force 15 is situated in the zone of the underside 2b of the deck 2, with the connection between the deck 2 and the elastic element 13 being formed by a pivot 16. In the embodiment a shock absorbing element 17 is connected parallel to the elastic element 13, with the elastic element 13 and the shock absorbing element 17 forming a shock absorbing leg and being arranged integrally as a unit. The arrangement of the elastic element 13 and the shock absorbing element 17 allow a very large path of excursion of the wheels 8 at a relatively small travel of spring of the elastic element 13. The relevant aspect is the ratio of the lever arm 1 (as measured between the one point of application 14 of the elastic element 12 and the lateral axis 11) and the lever arm L (as measured between the wheel axle 7 and the lateral axis 11) . Particularly large movements of excursion can be achieved when the lateral axis 11 is situated as close as possible to the lateral center plane 18 of the rolling device 3.

- 10 Moreover, the elastic element 12 is appropriately arranged for the achievement of large movements of excursion of the wheels 8 in such a way that an angle a formed between a vertical axis 18a of the deck 2 and an axis 13b of the elastic element 13 is different to 0', with the angle cc preferably being greater than l±301 , and particularly greater 1±601 . In the embodiments of figs. 9 to 13 and 15 to 18 which will be described below in closer detail, the angle ax is in the range of approx. 900, so that the axis 13b extends approximately parallel to the deck 2 in at least one position of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. Fig. la shows the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 of fig. 1 based on an example of a rolling device 3 with two decks 2a which are jointly connected by way of a joint 2b. Such rolling devices 3 with several decks 2a are also known under the name "snakeboard". In such rolling devices 3 the change in the riding direction is achieved by relative turning movements of the decks 2 towards one another, thus enabling steering devices to be omitted. The longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5 are directly connected with the decks 2a by way of the lateral axis 11. Figs. 2 to 6 and 8 show embodiments of the invention in which the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is arranged as a link chain with two links 5a and 5b, with the one link 5a being connected with the deck 2 by way of the elastic element 13 and the mutually swivellably connected links 5a and 5b being mutually connected by two further elastic elements 19 which can be arranged as pressure elements (figs. 2 to 6) or as tension elements 19b (fig. 8). In the embodiment as shown in figs. 2 and 3 the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is connected (as in fig. 1) with the deck 2 by way of a steering device 12. The overhead steering device 12 is optimally protected against damage and soiling. As the entire longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is turned by the steering device 12, even very small shifts in weight by the - 11 skateboard rider will lead to relatively large steering excursions, which has an advantageous effect on the versatility of the sports appliance 1. Very large obstructions that cannot be ridden over can therefore be avoided very easily and securely. As is shown by the illustration of the layout of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 as shown in fig. 3, the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is provided with a substantially rectangular or trapezoid shape. The longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 can also have the shape of a triangle with a base in the zone of the first end 6 and a tip in the zone of the second end 2 in which the steering device 12 is located. Figs. 4 to 6 show an embodiment in which the steering device 12 is arranged in the zone of the first end 6 of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. The steering amplitudes which are smaller in comparison with the preceding embodiment allow higher speeds and a highly dynamic mode of riding the skateboard at a tendency of the rolling device 3 to provide high roll. As in the example shown in figs. 2 and 3, one elastic element 13 is arranged per longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 in the zone of the longitudinal center plane 20, which element connects the link 5a of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 with the deck 2. The links 5a and 5b are mutually connected on either side by a further elastic element 19, as is also shown in the layout 5 and the front view 6 of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. In comparison, fig. 7 shows a front view of a sports appliance 1 with a steering device 12 positioned underneath in which (as in the embodiment as shown in fig. 1) a single elastic element 13 is provided for each longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 as a support against the deck 2. In the previously explained embodiments the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is arranged as a single-arm lever. Figs. 9 to 16 show embodiments in which the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is arranged as a two-arm lever. The - 12 lateral axis 11 is located approximately in the zone between the one point of application of force 14 and the first end 6 of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. The common aspect of these embodiments is that the elastic element 13 is arranged in the zone of the lateral plane 18. In the embodiments as shown in figs. 9 to 13 the elastic element 13 is arranged parallel to the deck 2, or slightly inclined thereto, and rests in the zone of the other point of application of force 15 on a frame element 21 of the rolling device 3, with the elastic element 13 intersecting the lateral plane 18. The steering device 12 can be arranged in the zone of the first end 6 (see figs. 9 and 12) or in the zone of the lateral axis 11 (fig. 10) . In the case of an overhead steering device 12 it is necessary to have an arrangement of the pivot 16 which is rotatable about a vertical axis 22 of the deck 2. This can be realized for example by a rubber bearing 23 (as shown in fig. 11) or a ball and socket joint. As is shown in fig. 12, the elastic elements 13 of each longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is arranged on either side of the longitudinal center plane 20, thus providing a particularly compact arrangement. The elastic elements 13 are protected optimally against damage and soiling. An additional protection against damage can occur by the arrangement of the frame element 21 which (as is shown in figs. 9 and 12) extends laterally on either side of the elastic elements 13. Fig. 14 shows an embodiment in which the elastic element 13 is arranged in the zone of the lateral plane 18 in the direction of vertical axis 22 and rests on a bracket-shaped frame element 21. Figs. 15 and 16 show an embodiment in a side view and a plan view in which only one elastic element 13 is provided which rests only on the two longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5. The one point of application of force 14 is arranged on the one longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 and the other point of application of force 15 is arranged on the other longitudinal - 13 control wheel suspension 5, with the axis 13b of the elastic element 13 being positioned approximately parallel to the deck 2 in the zone of the longitudinal center plane 20 and intersecting the lateral plane 18. The elastic element 13 is encompassed on either side by protective frame elements 21 on which the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 and the lateral axis 11 are swivellably held. Figs. 17 and 18 show a further embodiment of a longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 in a side view and in a plan view, with the elastic element 13 being arranged as a tension element, i.e. the points of application of force 14 and 15 move away from one another during the spring deflection. Elastic element 13 can comprise a compression spring 13a. The points of application of force 14 and 15 are located in the illustrated example on one side of the compression spring 13a, with a tension bar 24 being provided between the point of application of force 14 and the compression spring 13a. Fig. 19 shows a further embodiment with an elastic element 13 which is arranged as a tension element whose one point of application of force 14 is disposed on the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 and whose other point of application of force 15 is disposed on an intermediate member 25 or on the deck 2. A further increase in the path of excursion of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is possible when the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is arranged as a multi-member gear 26 which acts on the elastic element 13 in a power transmitting manner. Embodiments with multi-member gears 26 are shown in fig. 20 as well as figs. 23 to 25. Fig. 20 shows a four-member gear, with the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 being swivellably held by intermediate members 5c and 5d on a frame element 21 which is rigidly connected with the deck 2. The one point of application of force 14 of the elastic member 13 is situated on the - 14 longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 and the other point of application of force 15 on frame element 21. Figs. 23, 24 and 25 show a further embodiment with a four member gear 26 in a front view, side view and plan view. In contrast to fig. 20 the members 5c and 5d are of different length and the shorter member 5d is arranged as a two-arm lever, with the one point of application of force 14 of the elastic element 13 being located on the lever arm which is opposite of the longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. The other point of application of force 15 on the frame element 21 is arranged in the zone of the lateral axis 11, with the longer member 5c being swivellably held about the same. Figs. 21 and 22 show a further embodiment of the invention in which the elastic element 13 is arranged, in analogy to the embodiments shown in figs. 9 to 13, approximately parallel to the deck 2 in the zone of the lateral plane 18. The longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 is swivellably held on the frame element 21 by way of the rigid intermediate members Se, 5f and the lateral axis 11 which form a triangle of joints. The one point of application of force 14 of the elastic element 13 is disposed on the intermediate member 5f and the other point of application of force 15 on the frame element 21. Figs. 26 to 28 show a further embodiment of a longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 in a side view, front view and plan view in which the two longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5, in analogy to the embodiment shown in figs. 15 and 16, are mutually supported by way of an elastic element 13. The one point of application of force 14 of the elastic element 13 is situated on the one longitudinal control wheel suspension 5 and the other point of application of force 15 on the other longitudinal control wheel suspension 5. As is shown in fig. 28, the two longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5 are substantially shaped like a fork and provided with a similar arrangement. Said longitudinal control wheel suspensions 5 are - 15 suitable for sports appliances 1 with steering devices 12 situated underneath in the zone of the first ends 6. Figs. 29 to 31, on the other hand, show a side view, front view and plan view of longitudinal control wheel suspensions 51, 52 for overhead steering devices 12. The longitudinal control wheel suspensions 51, 52 are formed differently with respect to one another as one-arm levers. The one longitudinal control wheel suspension 51 is arranged substantially as a U-shaped or O-shaped frame and creates an opening 51a in the zone of the longitudinal center plane 20. The other longitudinal control wheel suspension 52 is provided in this zone with a shaft 52a which crosses the longitudinal control wheel suspension 51 in the zone of the opening Sla. As a result of this mutual pivoting of the longitudinal control wheel suspensions 51 and 52 it is possible to provide a symmetrical arrangement of the longitudinal center plane 20, which in the case of an overhead steering device 12 is the prerequisite so as to enable a controlled steering of the sports appliance 1. The elastic element 13 per se can be arranged as a coil, flat spiral, pneumatic, leaf or elastomer spring. The shock absorbing element 17 which can be used in any of the illustrated embodiments can be based on the principle of oil damping, pneumatic shock absorption or frictional damping. The tires 9 are preferably filled with gas or compressed air. It is understood that tires made of full material or tires produced in a sandwich design are also possible. It is advantageous when the tires are profiled for use in rough terrain.

Claims

1. A sports appliance (1) with a two-track rolling device (3), especially a skateboard, comprising at least one deck (2, 2a) and a truck (4) with two wheel axles (7) which is connected to the deck (2, 2a) and comprises a longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) for each wheel axle (7), which longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) is connected to the rolling device (3) in such a way that it can pivot around a lateral axis (11), and the wheel axle (7) is positioned on the first end (6) of the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) averted from the deck (2, 2a), with at least one elastic element (13, 19) acting upon at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52), with said elastic element (13, 19) acting against the direction of excursion, wherein the one point of application of force (14) of the elastic element (13) is positioned in the zone of the half of the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) facing the deck (2, 2a), preferably in the third of the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) facing the deck (2, 2a), ideally in the zone of the lateral axis (11), with the elastic element (13) being mounted on the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) so that it can move, and preferably pivot, and that an angle (ax) formed between a vertical axis (18a) of the deck (2, 2a) and an axis (13b) of the elastic element (13) is different to 00, preferably greater than ± 30'1 , and ideally greater than l ±600 .

2. A sports appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (13) is held in a movable, preferably swivellable, manner on the deck (2, 2a) or a frame element (21) fixedly connected with the deck (2, 2a) in the zone of its other point of application of force (15). - 17

3. A sports appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (13) is held in a movable, preferably swivellable, manner on the other longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) in the zone of its other point of application of force (15) (figs. 15, 16, 27 to 31).

4. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one elastic element (13) is arranged approximately in the area of the lateral center plane (18) of the rolling device (3) (figs. 9, 10, 12 to 18, 26 to 31).

5. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the axis (13b) of the elastic element (13) is arranged at least predominantly in the longitudinal direction of the rolling device (3), preferably in at least one position of the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) approximately parallel to the deck (2, 2a) (figs. 9 to 31).

6. A sports appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 5 with one elastic element (13) each per longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52), wherein the elastic elements (13) are arranged next to one another on either side of a longitudinal center plane (20) of the deck (2, 2a) and preferably the axes (13b) of the elastic elements (13) are arranged approximately mutually parallel in at least one position of the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) (figs. 9 to 14, 17 to 25).

7. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension (5) is arranged as a two-arm lever (figs. 9 to 16).

8. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) is arranged as a one-arm lever (figs. 1 to 8, 26 to 31). - 18

9. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5) is arranged as a multi-member, preferably four-member, gear (26) acting upon the elastic element (13) in a power transmitting manner (figs. 20, 23, 24, 25).

10. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5) is arranged as a link chain, with two mutually swivellably connected links (5a, 5b) being mutually connected by way of an elastic element (19) (figs. 2 to 6, 8).

11. A sports appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the truck (4) between the deck (2, 2a) and at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) is provided with a steering device (12) which can be actuated by a shift in the weight of the rider in order to enable a change in the riding direction (figs. 1, 2, 3, 10, 29 to 31).

12. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the truck (4) between at least one longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) and a wheel axle (7) is provided with a steering device (12) which can be actuated by a shift in the weight of the rider in order to enable a change in the riding direction (figs. 4 to 9, 26 to 28).

13. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the elastic element (13, 19) is arranged as a coil, flat spiral or leaf spring.

14. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the elastic element (13, 19) is arranged as an elastomer spring.

15. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the elastic element (13, 19) is arranged as a compressed-air or pneumatic spring. - 19

16. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the elastic element (13, 19) is arranged as a tension element.

17. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein a shock absorbing element (17) acting at least upon the longitudinal control wheel suspension (5; 51, 52) is provided parallel to the elastic element (13, 19).

18. A sports appliance (1) according to claim 17, wherein the shock absorbing element (17) is arranged as an oil dampener, pneumatic shock absorber or as a frictional dampener.

19. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 18, wherein the rolling device (3) is provided with two decks (2a) which are mutually connected through a pivot. (fig. la).

20. A sports appliance (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 19, wherein the wheels held on the wheel axles are provided with tires (9) filled with compressed-air or gas.