U.S. patent application number 11/240600 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for high performance three-wheeled skates.
Invention is credited to Bob Crenshaw, Robert Smyler.
Application Number | 20060108755 11/240600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36460231 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060108755 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smyler; Robert ; et
al. |
May 25, 2006 |
High performance three-wheeled skates
Abstract
The three-wheeled skates system employs a conventional boot as
used in in-line skates to which is attached a frame from toe to
heel supporting a single wheel at the toe and a spaced pair of
wheels sharing a common axle at the heel, the wheels being of the
same type used in in-line skates. A mechanical braking system uses
a handgrip lever controlling a brake actuator lever by Bowden-type
sheath and cables. The brake actuator lever rotates about an axle,
which applies the pressure of attached brakes for speed control.
The rear axle is confined in generally frustroconical elastomeric
elements and held within receiving bores within the heel portion of
the frame, allowing the boot to lean inward relative to the wheels
during a turn. The cant of the boot is adjustable from a cruising
angle to a speed angle by settings of the front wheel on the toe
frame.
Inventors: |
Smyler; Robert; (Battle
Creek, MI) ; Crenshaw; Bob; (Portage, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman;Litman Law Offices, Ltd.
P. O. Box 15035
Crystal City Station
Arlington
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
36460231 |
Appl. No.: |
11/240600 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60614469 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 2017/1472 20130101;
A63C 17/1418 20130101; A63C 17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/011.212 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/14 20060101
A63C017/14 |
Claims
1. A three-wheeled skate system, comprising: a pair of boots, each
of the boots having a sole defining a toe and a heel; an elongated
frame extending along each of the soles, each of the frames having
a toe plate and a heel plate attached to the toe and the heel,
respectively, of the corresponding boot, each of the frames having
spaced side members extending the length thereof and forming a
respective toe portion and a heel portion, the toe portions
extending downward from, and forward of, each of the toes of the
boots, respectively; a front wheel axle assembly mounted on the toe
portion of each of the frames, respectively, each of the axle
assemblies having a front wheel mounted for rotation thereon
between the spaced side members of the boots; a rear wheel axle
assembly mounted on the heel portion of each of the frames,
respectively, each of the rear wheel assemblies having a pair of
rear wheels mounted for rotation thereon outside the spaced side
members of the frame; a brake unit attached to each of the frames,
respectively, each of the brake units having a pair of brake shoes
mounted for selective frictional engagement with each of the rear
wheels, respectively; and a brake control system connected to each
of the brake units, respectively, each of the brake control systems
having: a handgrip; a lever pivotally attached to the handgrip, the
lever pivoting between a brake release position and a brake engaged
position; and a pair of Bowden cables extending between the lever
and the brake unit, the cables acting to selectively engage the
brake shoes with the rear wheels in order to control rotation of
the wheels in response to pivoting the lever relative to the
handgrip.
2. The three-wheeled skate system according to claim 1, wherein the
toe portion of each of said frames has first and second pairs of
axle-receiving bores defined therein, the second pair of
axle-receiving bores being located above and to the rear of the
first pair of axle receiving bores, said front axle assemblies
being selectively mounted in the first pair of axle-receiving bores
for cruising style of skating, and being selectively mounted in the
second pair of axle-receiving bores for speed skating, forward cant
of said boots being increased when the front axle assemblies are
mounted in the second pair of axle-receiving bores.
3. The three-wheeled skate system according to claim 1, further
including a belt adapted for being worn about a user's waist, the
belt having: a buckle mounted on one end of the belt for adjusting
to the waist size of the user; a holster mounted on the belt for
holding said handgrip when not in use; and a cable guide mounted on
the belt for keeping said Bowden cables close to the user's body in
order to avoid snagging said cables on limbs and structures during
skating.
4. The three-wheeled skate system according to claim 1, wherein
each of said rear axle assemblies is mounted through and between
said frame side members, respectively, each of said rear axle
assemblies further comprising: a rear axle, said pair of rear
wheels being mounted on the rear axle on the outside of said frame
side members; elastomeric mounting outer washers disposed on the
rear axle between each of said rear wheels and each said frame side
member; elastomeric mountings disposed on the rear axle between
each of said elastomeric mounting outer washers and each said frame
side member; elastomeric mounting inner washers disposed on the
rear axle between said frame side members; and a rear axle central
spacer disposed on said rear axle between each of said elastomeric
mounting inner washers; wherein the elastomeric mountings permit
said frames and said boots to lean into a curve while said rear
wheels remain on a skating surface, thereby providing a user with
improved balance and traction during execution of a curve.
5. The three-wheeled skate system according to claim 4, wherein the
heel portion of each of the side members of said frames have rear
axle bores defined therein, said elastomeric mountings being
generally frustoconical in shape and being held within the rear
axle bores.
6. The three-wheeled skate system according to claim 1, wherein
said brake unit further comprises: a lever axle mounted for
rotation between the side members of said frame, said brake shoes
being mounted on opposite ends of the lever axle; a brake shoe
lever fixed to, and extending normal from, the lever axle for
rotation therewith, one of said pair of Bowden cables being
attached to the brake shoe lever; a spring anchor bar extending
between the side members of said frame; and a brake spring having a
first end attached to the spring anchor bar and a second end
attached to the brake shoe lever, the brake spring biasing said
brake shoes away from contact with said rear wheels when the brake
unit lever is in the brake release position.
7. A three-wheeled skate, comprising: a boot having a sole defining
a toe and a heel; an elongated frame extending along said sole and
having a toe plate and a heel plate attached to said toe and said
heel, respectively; said elongated frame having spaced side members
extending the length thereof and forming a respective toe portion
and a heel portion; said toe portions extending downward from and
forward of said toe of said boot; a front wheel axle assembly and a
front wheel; said toe portion supporting said front wheel axle
assembly supporting said front wheel mounted for rotation between
said spaced side members at a point downward from and forward of
said toe of said boot; a rear wheel axle assembly and a pair of
rear wheels; said heel portion respectively supporting said rear
wheel axle assembly supporting said pair of rear wheels mounted for
rotation on respective outer sides of said spaced side members of
said frame; a brake unit attached to said frame having a pair of
brake shoes mounted for selective frictional engagement with said
pair of rear wheels; and, a brake control system comprising a lever
and a grip device acting on a Bowden cable, said cable extending to
said brake unit and acting to selectively engage said brake shoes
with said rear wheels so as to control rotation of said wheels in
response to rotating said lever relative to said grip device.
8. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 7, further
comprising: first and second pairs of axle receiving bores located
in said toe portions of said front frames, respectively, each said
second pair of axle receiving bores being located above and to the
rear of respective said first pair of axle receiving bores, said
front axle assembly being selectively mounted in said first pair of
axle receiving bores for cruising style of skating and in said
second pair of axle receiving bores, thereby increasing the forward
cant of said respective boots for speed skating.
9. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 7, wherein said rear
axle assembly is mounted through and between said frame side
members, said rear axle assembly further comprising: a rear axle
for mounting said pair of rear wheels on the outside of each of
said frame side members; elastomeric mounting outer washers on said
rear axle between each of said rear wheels and said frame side
members; elastomeric mountings on said rear axle between each of
said elastomeric mounting outer washers and the outside of each of
said frame side members; elastomeric mounting inner washers on said
rear axle adjacent to the inside of each of said frame side
members; and, a rear axle central spacer on said rear axle between
each of said elastomeric mounting inner washers between the inside
of each of said frame side members; wherein said elastomeric
mountings allow said frame and said boot to lean into a curve while
said rear wheels remain on a skating surface providing a user with
improved balance and traction during execution of a curve.
10. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 9, wherein said
elastomeric mountings are generally frustoconical in shape and are
held within conforming receiving bores in said heel portion of said
frame side members.
11. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 7, wherein said 2
brake unit further comprises: a brake-actuating lever connected to
one of said pair of Bowden cables; an actuating lever axle
connected to and allowing rotation of said brake actuating lever; a
brake shoe connector for fixedly connecting said pair of brake
shoes to each other to respond to rotation of said actuating lever
axle; and, a brake release spring attached between said brake
actuating lever and a spring anchor bar extending between said heel
portion of said frame side members; whereupon when said Bowden
cable is released, said brake release spring is extended, rotating
said brake-actuating lever and said brake shoes away from
engagement with said rear wheels allowing them to rotate
freely.
12. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 11, wherein said
actuating lever axle and said brake shoe connector are one in the
same.
13. The three-wheeled skate according to claim 7, further
comprising a sheath connection mounted through said sole of said
boot for receiving said cable to connect to said brake unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/614,469, filed Oct. 1, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to roller skates. More
particularly, the present invention relates to high-performance
three-wheeled skates having hand-operated brakes.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The use of in-line skates is widespread, and capable of
substantial speeds. They require, however, a learning period for
their effective use and the learner is subject to repeated falls
and resultant injuries. They also require a continuous level of
attention, reducing their enjoyment when the skater desires to
relax and cruise. The brakes are generally rubber wedge brakes
mounted at the heel or toe that require substantial skill in their
effective use. It would be desirable to provide a skate which is
useful in the learning process of using high-performance skates
while reducing the risk of falls and resulting injuries to the
skater. It would also be desirable to provide a skate which is more
relaxing for cruising, requiring less attention by the skater,
while providing high performance capabilities when desired. It
would also be desirable to provide effective braking which is
effective under high-performance conditions and does not require
the skater to lift a portion of a skate to use a conventional
brake. Three-wheeled skates are known which provide the user with a
relative safe means of learning to skate, however known
three-wheeled skates are not capable of high-performance use and
have marginal brake systems if at all. A three-wheeled skate is
desired capable of high performance and providing a reliable and
easily used brake system for use as a step toward proficiency in
using in-line skates, and for cruising where constant attention to
skating is not required. It would further be desirable if such a
skate had high-performance capabilities and advanced cornering
ability over known three-wheeled skates.
[0006] French Patent No. 2,556,228, published Jun. 14, 1985,
describes three-wheeled roller skates whose wheels can be inclined
laterally on turns in a manner that the weight of the user offsets
the centrifugal force and allowing the user to turn while the
skater's soles remain parallel to the pane of the wheels.
[0007] German Patent No. 19,833,653, published Feb. 10, 2000,
describes a three-wheeled roller skate having a support platform
onto which is fixed a show support and having two front wheels on a
common axle and a trailing rear wheel, the front wheels being
fitted to a sub frame which pivots allowing the front wheels to
adapt to ground contours and turns.
[0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus three-wheeled skates solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The three-wheeled skates of the present invention both
provide a learning skate platform for advancement to in-line skates
and a skate useful in itself for relaxing cruising and speed as
desired. The three-wheeled skates of the present invention employ a
conventional boot as used in in-line skates to which is attached
from toe to heel a frame supporting a single wheel at the toe and a
spaced pair of wheels sharing a common axle at the heel, the wheels
being of the same type used in in-line skates. A mechanical braking
system is provided using a handgrip lever controlling a brake
actuator lever by means of Bowden type sheath and cables. The brake
actuator lever rotates an axle, which applies the pressure of
attached wheel-conforming friction brakes, thus controlling speed
as desired by handgrip action of the skater. The rear axle is
confined in generally frustroconical elastomeric elements and held
thereby within conforming receiving bores within the heel portion
of the frame, allowing the boot to lean inward relative to the axle
and wheels upon executing a turn and thus providing for improved
tracking of the wheels around the turn. The cant of the boot is
adjustable from a cruising angle to a more canted speed angle by
settings of the front wheel relative to the toe frame, thus
allowing for relaxing cruising or speed skating.
[0010] It is an aspect of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of
high-performance three-wheeled skates according to the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of a
skate as in FIG. 1 at touring setting.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a skate as in FIG. 1 at
speed setting.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a skate as in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a lower exploded view of the frame, wheels, brake
system and brake control system of a skate as in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the brake control system and
support belt of the skate of FIG. 1.
[0018] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention is a three-wheeled skate employing a
conventional boot as used in in-line skates to which is attached
from toe to heel a frame supporting a single wheel at the toe and a
spaced pair of wheels sharing a common axle at the heel, the wheels
being of the same type used in in-line skates. A mechanical braking
system is provided using a handgrip lever controlling a brake
actuator lever by means of Bowden type sheath and cables. The brake
actuator lever rotates an axle, which applies the pressure of
attached wheel-conforming friction brakes, thus controlling speed
as desired by handgrip action of the skater.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an environmental
perspective view of the present inventive three-wheeled skates and
braking system referred to generally by 10. The system 10 is worn
by a skater S with three-wheeled skates 12 worn on legs L, the
brake control system 14 being supported for operation near the
skater's hand H on his waist W.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, there is shown a side elevation
view, partially cut away, of the inventive skate and brake system
in the cruising configuration; a side elevation view of the
inventive skate and brake system in the speed configuration; a
bottom view of the inventive skate; and an exploded view of the
inventive brakes, frame, and wheels of the inventive skate and
brake system, respectively.
[0022] As best seen in FIG. 2, brake control system 14 includes
hand lever system 16 having grip handle 18 and a hand lever 20 for
actuating the brake system by squeezing together by the skater's
hand H. Hand lever 20 has a hand lever connection 22 and a pivot
connection 30 for rotation relative to brake control body 24 as
mounted on grip handle 18. A pair of brake body cable sheath
connectors and stops 28 attach to Bowden-type actuating cables 32
which extend to respective skates 12 for operation of braking unit
34, as mounted on frame 36, in response to rotation of hand lever
20. Frame 36 is mounted on boot 38 between boot toe 40 and boot
heel 42, attached along sole 43 and at toe plates 44 and heel
plates 48. Toe plates 44 are attached to the toe portion of sole 43
by toe plate connectors 46, such as screws. Heel plates 48 are
attached to the heel portion of sole 43 by heel plate connectors 50
such as screws.
[0023] Frame 36 has a toe portion 52 extending forward of and
downward from boot toe 40. Front wheel 54 is mounted at toe portion
52 of frame 36, front wheel 54 being supported for rotation by
front axle assembly 56. Toe portion 52 has two pairs of bores for
mounting axle assembly 56, the first pair being cruising axle bores
58 as shown mounted in FIG. 2 and the second pair being speed axle
bores 60 located above and to the rear of axle bores 58 as shown
mounted in FIG. 3. An alternative configuration is shown in ghost
lines in FIG. 5 where slots 61 take the place of axle bores 58 and
60, providing a range of adjustments between the cruising axle
position and the speed axle position. Frame 36 has heel portions 64
to which heel plates 48 are attached.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 4, frame 36 is made up of side members
66 as attached by frame cross members 90 which provide spacing for
mounting front wheel 54 on axle assembly 56. The heel plates 48 of
frame 36 as defined by side members 66 are elevated relative to toe
plates 44 to provide a forward cant to boot 48.
[0025] As best seen in FIG. 2-4, rear axle assembly 70 is mounted
on heel portion 64 of frame 36 and supports rear wheels 72 for
rotation. Rear axle assembly 70 includes a rear axle 110 (see FIG.
5), elastomeric mountings 114, elastomeric mounting outer washers
116, elastomeric mounting inner washers 118 and rear axle central
spacer 120, the wheels 72 being secured on rear axle 110 by
threaded end cap nuts 122. Braking unit 34 is actuated by cable 76,
which extends beyond sheath connector 74 mounted through the sole
43 of boot 38. Brake shoes 78 conform to rear wheels 72 and are
rotated to frictionally engage rear wheels 72, respectively, for
speed control by braking unit 34.
[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, brake shoes 78 are attached
at opposing ends of actuating lever axle and brake shoe connector
82 upon which brake actuating lever 80 rotates in receiver bores
134 (see FIG. 5) of frame side members 66. Cable 76 is attached to
brake actuating lever 80 at cable attachment 86. Retraction of
cable 76 rotates axle 82, forcing brake shoes 78 against rear
wheels 72 to accomplish the braking action of braking unit 34.
Brake release spring 84 is a tension coil spring attached between
lever spring attachment 87 and hooked over spring anchor bar 88
extending between frame side members 66. Spring 84 is wrapped
around the lower portion of lever axle 82 such that, upon
retraction of cable 76, tension spring 84 is extended, pulling
against rotation braking rotation of lever 80. Upon release of
cable 76, as controlled by brake control system 14 in the hand of
skater S, tension spring 84 pulls braking lever 80 downward,
pulling cable 76 downward and rotating brake shoes 78 away from
engagement with rear wheels 72, freeing them to rotate freely.
Braking power may be varied for desired rates of slowing or
resistance to accelerating (down hill) by varying the force of the
squeezing pressure on the handgrip and hand lever of the brake
control system 14.
[0027] Frame side members 66 are connected by frame cross members
90 to frame 36. Frame cross members included threaded post 92,
spacer cylinder 94, and threaded cap nuts 96, threaded post 92
extending through cross member receiving bores 98 (see FIG. 5) and
secured by threaded cap nuts 96. Spring anchor bar 88 is a spacer
cylinder mounted by anchor bar threaded post 124 extending through
anchor post receiving bores 128 in frame side members 66 and
secured by anchor bar threaded end cap nuts 126.
[0028] As described above, rear axle assembly 70 includes a rear
axle 110 (see FIG. 5), frustoconical shaped elastomeric mountings
114, elastomeric mounting outer washers 116, elastomeric mounting
inner washers 118 and rear axle central spacer 120 the wheels 72
being secured on rear axle 110 by threaded end cap nuts 122. As
seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, axle assembly 70 is mounted between frame
side members through rear axle bores which fit over the tapered
outer walls of respective elastomeric mountings 114. When the
skater S turns into a curve, the elastomeric mountings 114 allow
frame 36 and thereby the boot 38 to lean into the curve, while rear
wheels 72 remain on the skating surface, providing skater S with
improved balance and traction during execution of the curve.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a detail view of the
brake control system and belt of FIG. 1. As described above, brake
control system 14 includes a grip device having a hand grip 18 and
a hand lever 20 mounted on brake control body 24 having brake body
cable sheath connectors and stops 28 for operation of the
Bowden-type cables 32. Belt 150 having buckle 152 is conveniently
worn around the waist W of a skater S, belt 150 having a
spring-type holster 154 which holds grip 18 when not in use. The
grip 18 is conveniently held within the easy grasp of the skater's
hand H for removal from the holster 154 for application of the
brakes during skating. Cable guide 156 is conveniently mounted on
belt 150 by fasteners 158 for keeping Bowden cables 32 close to the
body to avoid snagging on limbs or structures during skating.
[0030] It is understood that the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *