EP0891795A1 - Inline rollerskate with adjustable wheelbase - Google Patents

Abstract

The roller skate has a chassis (5) which holds the wheels (6) and a boot (2) is fixed to its upper plate (4). The position of the axles (12) of the two central wheels (6A,6B) can be adjusted, between two positions, along the longitudinal axis of the chassis (WW'). Two inserts (14,15) are put in symmetrical longitudinal hollows (14a,15a) in each lateral wall (10) of the chassis. Each insert has an off set circular hole (18) which holds the axle of the wheel. The inserts are turned through 180 deg to adjust the position of the axles.

Description

The present invention relates to a skate of the in-line wheel type, more particularly intended for the practice of so-called 〈〈 aggressive 〉〉 skating.

In known manner, such a skate is constituted by a chassis comprising a longitudinal bottom part on which the wheels are arranged and which is surmounted by a plate intended for fixing the sole of a shoe.

The practice of so-called 〈〈 aggressive inage skating consists in sliding on different supports, in particular on metal guardrails, 〈〈 coping 〉〉, wall edges, etc, by placing its pads perpendicular to the direction of sliding.

These 〈〈 coping 〉〉, metal bars or sliding surfaces of the walls have different radii of curvature. Therefore the spacing between the two central skate wheels between which the sliding surface is housed is not necessarily adapted to the radius of the latter.

However, in order to perform in good conditions, these figures particularly perilous, it is necessary to have a good transverse timing of the two wheels centers of the skate with respect to the sliding surface, regardless of its radius of curvature.

Currently, this discipline is performed with inline skates whose wheel spacing does not allow a good timing on both sides of the sliding surface. Generally, this spacing is small and positions the center wheels of the skate on the top of the sliding surface, thus providing a bad balance.

This problem is also encountered with skates that have wheels of different diameters with respect to a given sliding surface.

Under these conditions, during a competition, certain skates will favor the skater and others will disadvantage him.

Certain known pads allowing the variation in height of the central wheels, relative to the end wheels, and particularly suitable for certain figures ("rockering" setting), can cause during this height adjustment, a incidence in the longitudinal direction position of the wheels but this modification is at most of the order of 1 or 2 millimeters, which is good insufficient for the discipline mentioned above and is always linked to an adjustment wheel height.

In document US Pat. No. 5,505,470, a known height adjustment of the wheels highlights set of polygonal adjustment parts which, due to the polygonal shape of the adjustment parts, inducing a longitudinal displacement of the wheels, but this displacement is always linked to the vertical adjustment, which is not desired in the execution of slides on the various supports mentioned and, moreover, this movement is very limited as mentioned above.

To remedy these problems, skates whose chassis have already been proposed have a multitude of mounting holes to vary the center distance of said wheels.

This of course has the major drawback of weakening the chassis, which is to be avoided for skates intended for the practice of skating said 〈〈 aggressive 〉〉, and particularly subject to shocks.

Document EP-A2-469,639 also mentions the "rockering" setting of the two central wheels, at least, of a shoe in two selectable vertical positions by means of eccentric removable parts arranged in a vertical direction. Such a skate therefore makes it possible to vary the maneuverability and the driving of the skate by modification of the relative height of the wheels. However, it does not provide any solution to the problem of adapting the center distance to the support used for sliding side of the skate.

Document US 5,388,846 relates to a skate having three wheels, two of which are fitted with devices for adjusting their longitudinal position so as to restore the distribution of the wheels along the chassis during the relative adjustment of the shoe on along the chassis using adjustment means arranged between the shoe and the frame. However, the skate does not provide a solution that can meet the problem of the practice of 〈〈 aggressive 〉〉 mentioned above.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these various drawbacks and to offer a skate particularly well suited to the practice of "aggressive".

To this end, the invention relates to an inline skate, more particularly intended for the practice of a so-called 〈〈 aggressive 〉〉 skating comprising a chassis provided a longitudinal lower part on which are arranged wheels of which at minus two central wheels and end wheels on either side of the wheels power stations ; the lower part being surmounted by a plate intended for the fixing of the sole of a shoe, characterized in that at least the two central wheels are associated with elements for adjusting the position of their hinge axis the along the longitudinal axis of the chassis, so as to allow the center distance to be varied in at least two positions without affecting the vertical position of each wheel relative to another.

The present invention also relates to the characteristics which will emerge during the description which follows and which should be considered in isolation or according to all their possible technical combinations.

• la figure 1 est une vue latérale d'un patin à roues en ligne selon l'art antérieur, positionné sur une surface de glissement,
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale d'un patin à roues en ligne, muni d'un dispositif de réglage longitudinal de ses roues selon l'invention, disposé sur la même surface de glissement qu'à la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue latérale du patin selon la figure 2 dont l'écartement des roues a été rétabli de manière traditionnelle, pour un patinage sur le sol ;
• la figure 4 est une vue latérale d'un patin selon une variation de réalisation de son dispositif de réglage de ses roues centrales, autorisant un meilleur calage sur un autre type de surface de glissement,
• la figure 5 est une vue latérale d'un patin selon une variante de réalisation de son dispositif de réglage, appliqué à ses roues centrales selon la figure 4 et étendu à ses roues d'extrémité en vue de permettre d'autres types de patinage sur sol ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique des moyens de réglage des roues selon la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique de toutes les combinaisons possibles des moyens de réglage, pour l'obtention de quatre écartements différents des roues centrales du patin,
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 6 des moyens de réglage selon d'autres modes de réalisation.

This description, given by way of nonlimiting example, will make it easier to understand how the invention can be implemented, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a side view of an in-line roller skate according to the prior art, positioned on a sliding surface,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of an in-line roller skate, provided with a device for longitudinal adjustment of its wheels according to the invention, disposed on the same sliding surface as in FIG. 1,
• Figure 3 is a side view of the skate according to Figure 2, the wheel spacing has been restored in the traditional way, for skating on the ground;
• FIG. 4 is a side view of a skate according to a variant embodiment of its device for adjusting its central wheels, allowing better wedging on another type of sliding surface,
• Figure 5 is a side view of a skate according to an alternative embodiment of its adjustment device, applied to its central wheels according to Figure 4 and extended to its end wheels in order to allow other types of skating on ground ;
• Figure 6 is a schematic view of the wheel adjustment means according to Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of all the possible combinations of the adjustment means, for obtaining four different spacings of the central wheels of the skate,
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the adjusting means according to other embodiments.

The inline skate 1 designated as a whole and shown in the figure 1, includes a shoe 2 consisting of an outer sole 3 intended to be made integral with the upper plate 4 of a chassis 5 on which the wheels 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, sole from which extends a rod 7 covering the entire foot and extending towards the skater's ankle.

The sole 3 of the shoe 2 is fixed to the upper plate 4 by by means of fixing means known per se, for example screws or rivets.

The frame 5 also includes a lower part perpendicular to the plate 4 along its longitudinal axis and is, for example, constituted by two wings vertical lateral 10, parallel to each other, and between which the wheels are fixed 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, by means of transverse articulation axes 12.

As shown in Figure 1, when performing a slide on a surface slip 13 with a traditional shoe, we see that the stalling of its wheels central units 6A, 6B on the top of said sliding surface 13 of radius r is done on a base of value D, deemed insufficient by the skater for a good balance of his skate.

According to the invention and as shown in FIG. 2, at least one of its wheels 6A comprises means 14 for adjusting the position of its articulation axis 12 along the longitudinal axis ww 'of the chassis 5 , so as to allow the variation of the distance of its axis 12 with that of another successive wheel 6B, between at least two positions, one corresponding to a center distance a , traditional, and the other corresponding to a center distance b , more particularly reserved and suitable for sliding on the sliding surface 13.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the passage from the center distance a to the center distance b for the central wheels 6A, 6B makes it possible to obtain a seat, for the same sliding surface 13 of FIG. 1 of radius r , with a value D1 greater than the value of the seat D obtained with a traditional skate.

We can see, according to Figure 3, that a skate arranged for sliding on a particular sliding surface (figure 2) can easily resume its basic characteristics for traditional ice skating.

According to Figures 2 and 3, the adjusting means 14 of the center distance a , b of two successive wheels 6A, 6B are arranged on the central wheel 6A, they could also be arranged on the other central wheel 6B.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the adjustment means 14 and 15 of two successive wheels 6A, 6B are arranged on the two central wheels and make it possible to obtain a new center distance c corresponding to a new even greater spacing of the central wheels 6A, 6B, offering a possibility of sitting on the sliding surface 13, always of the same radius r with a value D2 greater than the previous values D or D1.

Thus, according to this same example in FIG. 4, it is possible to obtain a center distance a or b as in the example in FIG. 3, or even c .

The embodiment of FIG. 5 essentially differs from the previous ones in that adjustment means 14, 15, 16, 17 are arranged on the two central wheels 6A, 6B, as well as on the end wheels 6C, 6D, so as to be able to vary the spacings of all the wheels therebetween, this is how the end wheels 6C and 6D can have a variable spacing of a value respectively e and f , to allow other types of slipping on the ground.

According to any of the cases stated and corresponding to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 or 5, the means for adjusting each of the wheels 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D whatever it is either, are constituted by an insert arranged in a symmetrical longitudinal housing 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a of corresponding shape and axis ww ', formed on each of the side walls 10 forming the lower part of the chassis 5. Each of the inserts 14, 15, 16, 17 has on its longitudinal axis ww ', an eccentric hole 18 relative to its vertical median axis zz ', intended for the passage of a wheel axis 12 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, of so that each insert 14, 15, 16 or 17 can allow two positions different longitudinal sides of such a wheel, either by turning on itself at 180 °, relative to its respective fixed housing 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, either by crossing, without reversal of two successive inserts arranged symmetrically one by compared to each other in their respective accommodation.

In this case, the eccentric passage hole 18 of each of the inserts 14, 15, 16 or 17 is circular.

The table shown in figure 7 shows all the possibilities offered to a skater for a chassis 5 with four wheels 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, each of whose walls lower side 10 of said chassis has four identical housings and symmetrical 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a in which four inserts are arranged correspondents 14, 15, 16, 17, two of which 14, 15 have holes 18 eccentrically identical according to a first given value X, and both of which others 16, 17 have holes 18 which are eccentrically identical in a second value Y given, different from the previous X. This makes it possible obtaining four adjustment positions I, II, III, IV of the two central wheels 6A, 6B, either by reversing two central inserts 14, 15 offset according to the first X value offering two adjustment positions I, II, either by reversing the two inserts end 16, 17 offset according to the second value Y offering two other positions adjustment III, IV different from previous I, II, the other inserts being at each both used at the ends.

Intermediate adjustment positions at positions I, II, III and IV can can also be obtained by using inserts on the central wheels 6A, 6B comprising the two types of offset X and Y.

According to an embodiment shown in Figure 8, the means for adjusting each of the wheels 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D whatever it is, are constituted by an insert arranged in a symmetrical longitudinal housing of corresponding shape, formed on each of the side walls 40 forming the lower part of the chassis, each of the inserts having on its longitudinal axis ww 'a light also symmetrical, oblong in the longitudinal direction, intended for the passage of an axis 12 of wheel, so that each insert can offer a multiplicity of positions longitudinal of the latter, by translation of the axis of the wheel in the light oblong of the insert.

According to an embodiment not shown, the means for adjusting each wheels whatever it is, are constituted by symmetrical oblong lights arranged opposite along a longitudinal axis on each of the side walls of the chassis, to allow the passage of a wheel axle and the adjustment thereof according to a multiplicity of longitudinal positions by translation in said slots oblong.

By way of nonlimiting examples referring to the inserts described and relating in Figures 2 to 7, the offset value of the holes 18 of the inserts 14, 15 and 16, 17 is respectively of Y = 4 mm and X = 7 mm. With such offset values, we thus obtains according to the invention a possibility of adjusting the center distance of the wheels centers varying from 90 to 104 mm instead of the usual center distance of 90 mm.

Of course, these values are given by way of nonlimiting example. and can be chosen to provide even more center distance values important.

Claims (8)

In-line roller skate, more particularly intended for the practice of so-called 〉〉 aggressive 〉〉 skating, comprising a chassis provided with a longitudinal lower part on which are arranged wheels (6) including at least two central wheels (6A , 6B) and end wheels (6C, 6D) on either side of the central wheels; the lower part being surmounted by a plate (4) intended for fixing the sole (3) of a shoe (2), characterized in that at least the two central wheels (6A, 6B) are associated with adjusting elements (14, 15, 16, 17) of the position of their articulation axis (12) along the longitudinal axis (ww ') of the chassis, so as to allow the center distance to be varied according to the minus two positions ( a , b , c , I , II , III , IV ) without affecting the vertical position of each wheel relative to another. Skate according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting elements (14, 15, 16, 17) are associated with both the two central wheels (6A, 6B) and the wheels end (6C, 6D), so as to be able to vary the centers of all wheels arranged adjacent to each other. Skate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment elements (14, 15, 16, 17) of each of the wheels (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) include an insert disposed in a symmetrical longitudinal housing (14a, 15a, 16a, 17a) of corresponding shape, formed on each of the walls side (10) forming the lower part of the frame (5), each of the inserts (14, 15, 16, 17) having along its longitudinal axis (ww '), an eccentric hole (18) by relative to its vertical median axis (zz '), intended for the passage of a wheel axis (12) (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D), so that each insert (14, 15, 16 or 17) can offer two different longitudinal positions from the latter, either by turning on itself 180 °, either by crossing two successive inserts arranged symmetrically one in relation to the other in their respective accommodation. Skate according to claim 3, characterized in that the through hole of one of the wheels formed in the insert is circular. Skate according to claim 3, characterized in that the through hole eccentric of each of the inserts (14, 15, 16 or 17) is oblong in the longitudinal direction. Skate according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that being a four-wheel chassis (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D), each of the side walls lower (10) thereof has four identical and symmetrical housings (14a, 15a, 16a, 17a) in which are arranged four corresponding inserts (14, 15, 16, 17), two of which (14, 15) have eccentric holes (18) identical according to a first given value (X), and of which the other two (16, 17) have holes (18) eccentrically identically according to a second value (Y) given, different from the previous one (X), in order to allow obtaining at least four adjustment positions (I, II, III, IV) of the two central wheels (6A, 6B), either by reversal of two inserts (14, 15) offset according to the first value (X), either by reversal of two central inserts (16, 17) offset according to the second value (Y) or according to different values (X, Y). Skate according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment elements of each of the wheels (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) are constituted by a insert disposed in a symmetrical longitudinal housing of corresponding shape, formed on each of the side walls (10) forming the lower part of the chassis, each of the inserts having an oblong lumen on its longitudinal axis (ww ') in the longitudinal direction, intended for the passage of a wheel axle (12), so that each insert can offer a multiplicity of longitudinal positions of this last, by translation of the axis of the wheel in the oblong lumen of the insert. Skate according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for adjusting each of the wheels include oblong lights symmetrical opposite, directly on each of the side walls of the chassis, to allow the passage of a wheel axle and the adjustment thereof according to a multiplicity of longitudinal positions by translation in said slots oblong.

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