GB2333967A

GB2333967A - Steerable in-line skate

Info

Publication number: GB2333967A
Application number: GB9905577A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Christopher Walton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-02
Filing date: 1999-03-12
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: GB9905577D0; GB9826342D0

Abstract

A two-wheel skate comprises a steerable front wheel whose steering linkage comprises two linkages 5, 6 which produce an instantaneous steering axis which is inclined to the vertical and produces a caster effect.

Description

STEERABLE IN-LINE SKATES This invention relates to steerable in-line skates Conventional four wheel roller skates, with a wheel at 'each corner', are able to steer by leaning the foot to either side. The axles are usually mounted on pivots, which are inclined to the horizontal and incorporate a compliant elastomer block to self-centre the steering. Balancing while wearing the skates is fairly natural.

Leaning to the right produces a turn to the right and vice versa, which tends to correct the skater's balance.

With in-line skates steering is mainly accomplished by rotating the ankle about a vertical axis. That is, the skater points his foot in the direction he wants to go. This is not such a natural way of balancing, and it inevitably involves creating friction, sometimes unpredictably so, between the wheels and the road. In-line skates are popular because the skater can accelerate harder, and they tend to use large diameter wheels, which reduces rolling resistance.

The present design is that of a steerable in-line skate, which combines the advantages of conventional skates with those of in-line skates. This is an in-line skate, which can be steered by leaning the foot, as with a conventional 'quad' skate.

According to the present invention there are provided two (or more) wheels situated on the longitudinal centreline of the skate. A wheel is situated on or near the skate's longitudinal centreline at the front of the skate. This wheel steers about an instantaneous axis, which is inclined forward relative to vertical. That is, the horizontal distance between the wheel vertical centreline and the steering axis at the top of the wheel is greater than that at the bottom of the wheel. The steering axis intersects the ground (assumed flat) ahead of the point at which the wheel touches the ground. Thus a caster is produced with an inclined axis. The said steering axis is produced using two pivoted links. The exact position of the steering axis may move slightly as the wheel is tumed left or right. Each link comprises two parallel pivots, one at each end. The two links are positioned approximately symmetrically either side of the skate longitudinal centreline. The links are orientated so that the pivots are parallel to the steering axis. The two leading pivots are closer together than the trailing pivots. The trailing pivots are connected via a bracket to the wheel axle or spindle. The leading pivots are connected to the skate frame.

The said wheel is asymmetrical and dished in shape to allow the above assembly to be positioned near the skate centreline.

A further wheel (or wheels) is/are positioned to the rear of the skate, also approximately on its longitudinal centreline.

It is possible to use large or small wheels with this design depending on the intended use. Skates with small wheels can be made more compact for greater manoeuvrability. Large wheel skates are better for use on rough surfaces, or where higher speed is required.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagramatic elevation of the skate with a section through the front wheel to show the steering axis.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the skate incorporating the steering mechanism.

Figure 3 shows a variation of the steering mechanism Figure 4 shows the steering mechanism with the wheel turned to the left and to the right.

Referring to the drawings the skate comprises a boot 1, a frame 2, front and rear wheels 3 & 4, two pivoted levers 5 & 6, and a bracket 7, as shown diagramatically in figure 1.

The frame positions the boot relative to the wheels. Two pivoted levers connect the frame to the front wheel via a bracket. The levers are inclined to the vertical, and pivot in such way that the wheel steers about an instantaneous axis 8, which is inclined to the vertical, and positioned ahead of the wheel, A rake 9 and a caster 10 are created in this way which facilitates the turning effect. When the skate is leaned to the right with some downward force, the positioning of the steering axis is such that the front wheel is made to turn predictably to the right, and vice versa.

Claims

CLAIMS 1, A skate or device with wheels, hereafter referred to as a skate, comprising a wheel which steers about an instantaneous axis which is inclined forward relative to vertical and intersects the ground on which the wheel rests, which is assumed flat, ahead of the point at which the wheel touches the ground in the normal direction of motion thus producing a caster with an inclined axis, the said forward inclination of the axis meaning the horizontal distance between the wheel vertical centreline and the steering axis above ground level is greater than that at ground level.

2 A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is situated on or near the longitudinal centreline of the skate.

3, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is positioned near the front of the skate.

4, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second wheel is positioned to the rear of the skate also approximately on the longitudinal centreline of the skate.

5, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the approximate position of the said steering axis is produced using two pivoted links, where each said link comprises two parallel pivots, one at each end, where the two links are positioned approximately symmetrically either side of the skate longitudinal centreline, where the links are orientated so that the pivots are approximately parallel to the steering axis, and the two leading pivots are closer together than the trailing pivots in the normal direction of travel, where the said trailing pivots are connected via a bracket to the wheel axle or spindle, and the leading pivots are connected to the skate frame.

6, A skate as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said wheel is asymmetrical and dished in shape to allow the described assembly to be positioned near the skate centreline.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1, A skate or device with wheels, hereafter referred to as a skate, comprising a wheel which steers about an instantaneous axis which is inclined forward relative to vertical and intersects the ground on which the wheel rests, which is assumed flat, ahead of the point at which the wheel touches the ground in the normal direction of motion thus producing a caster with an inclined axis, the said forward inclination of the axis meaning the horizontal distance between the wheel vertical centreline and the steering axis above ground level is greater than that at ground level, wherein the instantaneous position of the said steering axis is produced using two pivoted links, where each said link comprises two pivots, one at each end, the two leading pivots being closer together than the trailing pivots in the normal direction of travel, where the said trailing pivots are connected via a bracket to the wheel axle or spindle, and the leading pivots are connected to the skate frame.
2, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said pivots are approximately parallel to each other and also to the instantaneous steering axis.
3, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said two links are positioned approximately symmetrically either side of the skate longitudinal centreline.
4, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is situated on or near the longitudinal centreline of the skate.
5, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is positioned near the front of the skate.
6, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second wheel is positioned to the rear of the skate also approximately on the longitudinal centreline of the skate.
7, A skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is asymmetrical and dished in shape to allow the described assembly to be positioned near the centre of the wheel.