GB2361968A

GB2361968A - Braking a steerable skateboard cart

Info

Publication number: GB2361968A
Application number: GB0010609A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ting-Hsing Chen
Original assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-04
Filing date: 2000-05-04
Publication date: 2001-11-07
Also published as: GB0010609D0; DE20009407U1

Abstract

A braking structure for the rear wheel of a steerable skateboard cart includes a pivoted brake plate 1, and a brake handle (76, Fig.2) connected to the brake plate by means of a steel cable 71. In its rest position, in use, the brake plate is spaced, by bias of spring 32, from the rear wheel. The brake can be applied by pulling on the handle and/or pressing the brake plate with the foot. The braking structure is characterized in that the brake plate is generally V-shaped, or provided with a generally V-shaped press plate (13, Fig.5), to more easily abut against the rear wheel.

Description

2361968 TITLE: BRAKING STRUCTURE FOR A SKATEBOARD CART BACKGROUND OF THE

INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates generally to a braking structure for a skateboard cart, more particularly to a braking structure including -a brake plate that is generally V-shaped or provided with a generally Vshaped press plate to more easily abut against the rear wheel of the skateboard cart.

(b) Description of the Prior Art:

A conventional skateboard cart includes a cart fi-ame having wheels respectively mounted at front and rear ends thereof, and a skateboard provided at a middle section of the cart frame. In use, the rider stands with one foot on the board, with the other foot on the ground to push the skateboard cart forward. When the skateboard cart gains inertia and moves forward on its own, the rider may stand with both feet on the skateboard. When the skateboard cart slows down, the rider repeats the same process to move the skateboard cart along. In this way, the rider can achieve the objects of exercising and recreation. In the past, skateboard carts were designed to be capable of moving forward in a linear manner only, and could not be steered like a bicycle. Later, a skateboard cart having an upright stem is provided at the front end of the cart frame, with a handle pivotally connected to the upright stem, whereby the handle is operable to steer the front wheel of the skateboard cart. In addition, the conventional skateboard cart is usually provided with a braking structure, which is generally a planar board t)W. When the skateboard cart advances, it in general will jolt along the ground, and the brake plate will also shake.

Hence, the skateboard cart cannot be immediately braked when the brake structure is,operated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a braking structure for a skateboard cart that includes a brake plate that is generally V-shaped or provided with a generally V-shaped press plate, a pivot and a reset spring in 5 combination with a hand brake and a cart frame for using on a rear wheel. The brake plate is provided with two lugs each having a through hole and extending downwardly from either side thereof A linking plate extends downwardly from the brake plate. The hand brake has a handle that puns one end o f a steel cable, the other end of the steel cable being fixed to the linking plate. The pivot passes through the reset spring and the lugs of the brake plate to be pivotally connected to the cart frame such that the brake plate is spaced a distance from the rear wheel in a normal state. The handle of the hand brake can be pulled or the brake plate can be pressed with foot. The braking structure is characterized in that the brake plate is generally V-shaped or provided with a generally V-shaped press plate to more easily abut against the rear wheel.

2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood.from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment assembled to a cart body; Fig. 3 is an assembled sectional view of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 4 is a. schematic view illustrating operation of the first preferred embodiment; and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment.

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Fig. 1, the first preferred embodiment of a brake structure for skateboard carts of the present invention includes a brake plate 1, a pivot 2, a reset spring 3, and a hand brake 7, in combination with a cart frame 4 5 for mounting on a rear wheel 5.

The brake plate I includes a main body (front section) that is generally Vshaped, two lugs I I each having a through hole I I I and extending downwardly from each of two opposite sides thereof, and a linking plate 12 extending downwardly from the brake plate 1. The linking plate 12 is provided with a slot 12.

The pivot 2 is formed with a threaded hole 21 at one end for receiving a securing bolt 22.

The reset spring 3 is a torsion spring that includes two abutting ends 31 and a U-shaped securing section 32.

The cart fi-ame 4 has a rear end provided with a rear plate 42, which is fixedly connected to a connecting frame 41. Rear ends of the connecting frame 41 is proVided with opposite through holes 411 for pivotal mounting of the rear wheel 5. A front end of the cart fi-ame 4 is provided with two pivot holes 412 opposite to each other. The cart frame 4 has provided thereon a pedal plate 6 that has a rear end generally flushed with the front end of the connecting frame 41. Intermediate sections of the rear plate 42 and the connecting fi-ame 41 are provided with threaded holes 42 1.

The hand brake 7 includes a steel cable 71, adjusting bolts 72, 74, positioning nuts 73, 75, and a handle 76.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the pivot 2 passes through the reset spring 3 and the through holes I I I in the lugs I I of the brake plate I and is mounted 4 between the pivot holes 412 of the connecting ffame 41 of the cart frame 4, with the securing bolt 22 inserted into the threaded hole 21 in the end of the pivot 2. The abutting ends 31 and securing section 32 of the reset spring 3 are respectively retained at the cart fi-ame 4 and brake plate I to subject the brake plate I to the action of the reset spring 3 such that, under a normal state when it is not. subjected to the action of the reset spring 3, the brake plate I near the lugs I I abuts against the rear end of the pedal plate 6 on the cart fi- ame 4 to be in a tilted state and spaced apart from the rear wheel 6 by a distance. The handle 76 of the hand brake 7 is fixed to a handle (not shown) of the cart fi-ame 4. When the handle 76 is pulled, the steel cable 71 is pulled synchronously, with the other end of the steel cable 71 passing through the threaded hole 421, positioning nut 73, adjusting bolt 72 and slot 121 with an end portion thereof secured outside the slot 121 to link up with the linking plate 12. In addition, the adjusting bolt 72 threadedly engages the positioning - nut 73 and the threaded hole 421. By turning the adjusting bolt 72 to move in or out of the threaded hole 421, the tautness of the steel cable 71 can be adjusted, with the positioning nut 73 locking the adjusting bolt 72. (The function of the adjusting bolt 74 and the positioning 75; therefore, a description thereof is dispensed with hrein.) In practice, referring to Figs. 2 and 4, when the rider directly presses the brake plate I downwardly with one heel, or when the rider pulls the handle 76 to pull the linking plate 12 via the steel cable 71 to cause the brake plate I to displace downwardly, or when he/she performs the two actions at the same time, the bottom side of the plate will directly abut against the rear wheel 5 to brake the same. Even if the skateboard cart is shaking, any one of the two sides of the V-shaped brake plate I will abut against the rear wheel 5 to immediately brake the skateboard cart.

Reference is made to Fig. 5, which shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. This preferred embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment except that a brake plate IA is additionally provided with a V-shaped press plate 13.

In view of the aforesaid, the skateboard cart of the present invention is provided with a V-shaped brake plate I or a brake plate IA with a V-shaped press plate 13 to perform immediate braking, which is absent in any of the prior art.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous 10 modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

6 WHAT IS CLAWED IS:

1. A.braking structure for a skateboard cam comprising a brake plate pivotally connected to a cart frame and spaced apart from a rear wheel by an appropriate distance when in a normal state, wherein said brake plate is generally V-shaped or provided with a generally V shaped press plate so as to more easily abut against the rear wheel.

Claims

2. A braking structure for a skateboard cart according to Claim 1, wherein

said brake plate is provided with two lugs each having a through hole and extending downwardly from either side thereof, and a linking plate extending downwardly therefrom.

3. A braking structure for a skateboard cart according to Claim 1, finther comprising a pivot and a reset spring, and a hand brake having a handle to pull one end of a steel cable, the other end of said cable being secured to said linking plate, whereby said pivot passes through said reset spring and a tubular seat of said brake plate to be pivotally connected to said cart frame such that said brake plate is spaced a distance from said rear wheel in a normal state.

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