U.S. patent application number 13/882258 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for roller ski.
This patent application is currently assigned to HiTurn AS. The applicant listed for this patent is Jorgen Karlsen. Invention is credited to Jorgen Karlsen.
Application Number | 20130300098 13/882258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46024664 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130300098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karlsen; Jorgen |
November 14, 2013 |
ROLLER SKI
Abstract
The invention relates to a roller ski which is employed amongst
other things for training in classic cross-country skiing during
the summer. The object of this roller ski is to achieve a
pressure-dependent grip when a kick is generated, with the result
that more pressure on the ski from the foot provides better grip.
This is in order to simulate skiing on snow, where in classic style
pressure has to be placed on the ski during the kick in order to
obtain grip on the middle of the ski. The invention is based on a
common principle. Roller systems with free roll both forwards and
backwards are combined with roller systems with one-way roll, in
such a manner that when the pressure on the roller ski from the
skier increases, the roller system(s) with one-way roll will be
activated to an increasing extent as the pressure on the ski
increases, with the result that the ski obtains grip thereby
enabling a kick to be generated. The grip is obtained without any
risk of the ski jerking in the event of unexpected pressure from a
rough surface. Without extra pressure the roller ski will be liable
to back-sliding just like a classic cross-country ski with grip wax
under the middle and glide wax at the front and rear.
Inventors: |
Karlsen; Jorgen; (Hovik,
NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Karlsen; Jorgen |
Hovik |
|
NO |
|
|
Assignee: |
HiTurn AS
Raufoss
NO
|
Family ID: |
46024664 |
Appl. No.: |
13/882258 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 1, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO11/00307 |
371 Date: |
July 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/842 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/045 20130101;
A63C 17/0046 20130101; A63C 17/1454 20130101; A63C 17/226 20130101;
A63C 17/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/842 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/00 20060101
A63C017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 1, 2010 |
NO |
20101530 |
Nov 1, 2011 |
NO |
20111490 |
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. A roller ski with a central portion where the shoe is attached
to the profile connecting the wheels, where the different wheels
are so designed that when the roller ski is without pressure it
will roll fairly freely both ways, and when pressure is applied to
the roller ski, the rearward roll resistance will increase with
increasing pressure from the roller ski against the surface, this
being accomplished by a pressure-dependent brake locking the
rearward roll direction, while the forward roll direction continues
to roll with little or no braking when the roller ski is subjected
to pressure, wherein pressure-dependent resistance against rearward
roll is achieved by combining two roller systems, where a first
roller system has free forward roll and resistance to rearward
roll, the first roller system comprising a brake element and one or
more springs arranged in a glider pocket, and a second roller
system has free roll both ways, the second roller system comprising
a wheel an axle and auxiliary wheel or cylinder arranged on the
axle, the first and second roller systems being arranged in such a
manner relative to each other that without pressure on the roller
ski, the second roller system is active, but as the pressure
increases, the relative influence of the first roller system also
increases since the second roller system is braked when pressure on
the roller ski increases.
16. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein when the foot
presses on the profile under the shoe, the pressure will be
transferred to the first and second roller systems, with the result
that when pressure is applied to the roller ski, the second roller
system will be moved upwards relative to the first roller system
providing one-way roll, so that increased pressure on the roller
ski engages the first roller system, thereby providing
pressure-dependent grip when a kick is implemented.
17. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein the roller ski at
all times has only 2 wheels against the surface, one wheel in front
of the shoe and one wheel behind the shoe.
18. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein pressure-dependent
resistance against rearward roll is achieved by an axle which rolls
freely both ways being equipped with one-way ratchets, with the
result that when this axle is pressed against a brake consisting of
oppositely-directed ratchets, the axle is locked and thereby the
wheel in a rearward direction of rotation, while the wheel rolls
forwards with only a slight braking effect in this direction, even
when the pressure on the ski is so great that there is little or no
rearward rotation.
19. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein the axle is
equipped with one or more cylinders with a larger radius than the
axle, and braking surface or ratchets are placed on the cylinder,
with the result that the braking surface is greater than only the
axle, and opposite brakes are adapted to the cylinder.
20. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein the wheel is
suspended in an axle which rolls freely both ways, where this axle
is braked by a brake device which transfers pressure on the ski to
the brake via, e.g. a wire, and the wheel is mounted relative to
its axle with a backward stop, thereby enabling the wheel to always
roll freely forwards, but to be successively more prevented from
rotating backwards in this system with increasing pressure on the
ski.
21. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein the wheel is
suspended in an axle which rolls freely both ways, where this axle
is spring-suspended so that the axle's rotation will be checked
when it is pressed up against a fixed brake, and the wheel is
mounted relative to its axle with a backward stop, thereby enabling
the wheel to always roll forwards, but to be successively more
prevented from rotating backwards in this system with increasing
pressure on the ski.
22. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein a wheel is securely
suspended in the profile and that the wheel contains an integrated
roller system with spring-suspended axle which without pressure
rolls freely both ways, with the result that the axle's rotation
will be checked when the axle or an auxiliary wheel is pressed up
against a fixed brake, so that one-way rotation takes over.
23. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein a wheel which rolls
freely both ways is spring-suspended so that when pressure is
applied it is pressed up towards an overlying wheel which has
one-way roll, with the result that when pressure is increased, the
overlying wheel brakes the wheel's rearward roll, but provides free
forward roll regardless of pressure.
24. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein the pressure
required for braking the freely-rolling axle is transferred
hydraulically or pneumatically to a brake device.
25. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein pressure-dependent
resistance against rearward roll is assigned to the front wheel
instead of the rear wheel.
26. A roller ski according to claim 15, wherein it further
comprises an adjustable, non-pressure-dependent roll resistance.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a roller ski 100 comprising
a wheel system which provides a pressure-dependent resistance to
rearward roll.
[0002] Roller skis are employed by athletes and leisure skiers in
order to train for cross-country skiing and various cross-country
techniques, such as classic and skating, during the summer. A
roller ski of this kind will then usually comprise two wheels,
where the wheels are arranged at opposite ends of an elongated,
ski-like element 4, together with a ski binding 19 which is
designed to receive a ski boot, so that the user's foot is secured
to the roller ski. The roller skis may furthermore be equipped with
braking devices or the like, thereby enabling the user to slow down
his speed when it becomes too great, or when dangerous situations
arise during use of the roller ski.
[0003] Most of today's roller skis intended for training in classic
style have wheels with a so-called one-way roll, i.e. they roll
forwards and always lock rearward motion regardless of the pressure
applied to the ski. This means that with current roller skis it is
impossible to train for classic cross-country skiing with correct
technique while simultaneously using a propulsion technique
corresponding to that in classic cross-country skiing.
[0004] US 2008/0030014 A1 relates to a roller ski in which two
freely-rolling wheels and an intermediate wheel with one-way roll
are employed. The intermediate wheel is then arranged above ground
level, i.e. not in contact with the ground when the roller ski is
unloaded, and when a certain pressure is applied, the intermediate
wheel comes into contact with the ground, in order thereby to
provide the desired friction during a back kick. This solves the
problem by providing a rearward kick, but the solution requires the
use of at least three wheels. Furthermore, there is much discussion
in the publication concerning ordinary brakes against one of the
wheels which are mounted at the front or the rear of the roller
ski, and known methods are further described for achieving a
flexible roller ski in order to obtain pressure-dependence in the
braking.
[0005] One of the objects of the roller ski according to the
present invention is to provide a roller ski with a
pressure-dependent rearward roll resistance, in which two wheels
are sufficient, whereas three wheels are employed in the prior art.
In addition it is extremely important that the brakes should only
function in the rearward direction and on no account prevent almost
free forward roll, since, for example in the event of compression
in a dip, the risk would then arise of the roller skis braking,
thereby causing a fall. An important point for many of the design
variants in US 2008/0030014 A1 is that the brakes cause undesirable
braking where there are irregularities in the surface when only
using two wheels and in addition a device has to be employed which
brakes one or both wheels as a function of pressure on the roller
ski. This shows clearly that they have not seen the possibilities
of implementing one-way roll with the use of only two wheels
against the surface in the ways described by means of the roller
ski according to the present invention.
[0006] The present invention relates to a roller ski comprising a
wheel system which provides a pressure-dependent rearward roll
resistance, in order thereby to simulate how a ski on snow behaves
during skiing with classic style, where pressure has to be applied
to the ski in the back kick in order to achieve grip in the middle
of the ski, since the cross-country ski is provided with a camber
and in addition glide wax is applied in a front and rear area of
the cross-country ski, with the result that the cross-country ski
has a minimum of grip when the central portion of the cross-country
ski is not in contact with the surface.
[0007] The present invention is based on a common principle. A
roller system with almost free roll both forwards and backwards
when the roller ski is subjected to little or no pressure is
combined and integrated with a system which provides
pressure-dependent one-way roll, in such a manner that when the
pressure on the roller ski from the skier increases, the roller
system(s) with one-way roll will be activated to an increasing
extent as the pressure on the roller ski increases, thereby causing
the roller ski to obtain a grip so that a kick can be implemented.
Without extra pressure the roller ski will be liable to slide
backwards just like a ski with grip wax underneath the middle when
it is not given enough pressure in the back kick.
[0008] According to the present invention the roller system with
free roll 2 (or freely-rolling system) should be understood to be a
system which permits free rotation both forwards and backwards in
the roller ski's normal direction of travel when the ski is without
pressure. In a similar manner a roller system with
pressure-dependent one-way roll (or one-way roll system) according
to the present invention should be understood to be a system which
only permits rotation forwards in the roller ski's normal direction
of travel, with the result that a wheel with a roller system with
pressure-dependent one-way roll 22 may be an integrated combination
of free roll 2 and one-way roll 1. Furthermore, free roll wheel 27
should be understood to be a wheel which can rotate both ways,
regardless of the pressure load, while a roller system with
pressure-dependent one-way roll should be understood to be a wheel
which, when the pressure load is increased, provides increasing
resistance to rearward roll.
[0009] Roller system 26 comprises wheels with axle 8 which without
pressure roll freely both ways 2 and are equipped with one-way
ratchets 1, 24, with the result that when this axle is pressed
against a brake 10 consisting of oppositely directed ratchets 23 or
25, the axle and thereby the wheel is locked in a rearward
direction of rotation, while the wheel can continue to roll
forwards.
[0010] Basically, the use might be envisaged of a simpler system
with a free roll wheel 27 combined with a pressure-activated brake.
This would function adequately much of the time, but the problem is
that when skiing over or on dips, or down in dips, thereby
inadvertently subjecting a roller ski to a higher pressure, a
roller ski of this kind will be braked, which can easily result in
a fall. The invention therefore prescribes instead that in the
event of increased pressure, one or more roller systems with
pressure-dependent one-way roll come into operation, thereby
permitting the roller ski to continue to roll freely forwards, but
giving it pressure-dependent rearward roll resistance, thus giving
force to the kick if the kick is combined with pressure increase on
the roller ski concerned. The present invention will therefore
provide the desired pressure-dependent grip for the kick, while
simultaneously preventing the roller ski from braking suddenly when
subjected to pressure.
[0011] A ski for classic cross-country skiing has so-called grip
zones under the shoe. The invention does not place grip under the
middle of the roller ski, since this may be impractical for the
roller systems employed. The primary aim is to obtain
pressure-dependent grip and not where this grip is provided on the
roller ski. Preferred combinations of wheels with free-roll and
wheels with pressure-dependent one-way roll may have
pressure-dependent one-way roll only at the rear or only at the
front of the roller ski, or both at the front and the rear. The
invention does not involve the use of a third wheel with one-way
roll 6 placed in line with or in series with two freely rolling
wheels, so that the third wheel is activated against the ground
when the roller ski is subjected to pressure.
[0012] The roller ski according to the present invention comprises
at least one wheel system with pressure-dependent one-way roll.
[0013] The roller ski according to the present invention will now
be described by means of some embodiments. The common feature of
most of the embodiments is that when the foot presses on a profile
under the ski boot, the pressure will be transferred to the roller
systems, at least one of which has a spring suspension, with the
result that the freely rolling system is pressed upwards, thereby
activating the system which restricts rearward roll. However, a
hydraulic/pneumatic system is also described, where the pressure
increase activates one or more brakes on the freely rolling system,
without it having a spring suspension.
[0014] A roller ski will often be equipped with an adjustable roll
resistance on the wheels which have free roll. This has two
advantages: it permits better adjustment of speed when training on
flat roads, and the brake can be adjusted in downhill slopes in
order to avoid reaching a dangerously high speed. An adjustable
fixed brake of this kind may also be adapted to suit a wheel with
pressure-dependent one-way roll if so desired.
[0015] The use of three wheels obviously results in a heavier
roller ski and a more expensive roller ski to produce, and this is
avoided with the roller ski according to the present invention.
However, the introduction of an extra roller system also adds a
little extra weight to the roller ski as well as extra production
costs. It will therefore be optimal to employ pressure-dependent
roll resistance only at one point, either behind the foot or in
front, but this may be combined if so desired. All embodiments of
the systems illustrated placed behind the foot may also be placed
in front of the foot, in which case one can choose whether to have
only a roller system with free roll 27 (freely rolling wheel)
behind the foot, or whether to have a roller system with one-way
roll (pressure-dependent system) for grip there too.
[0016] Pressure-dependent resistance may be obtained by, for
example, having the rear wheel 5 suspended in an axle 8 which rolls
freely both ways, but where the rotation in this axle may be
checked by a braking device, for example a brake, which increases
the braking effect with increasing pressure on the roller ski. The
rear wheel in turn is mounted in an additional bearing where the
rotation is one-way 1 (rearward block), thereby enabling the rear
wheel to always roll freely forwards, but in order to roll
backwards the brake on the axle must be off, i.e. the pressure on
the roller ski must be below a certain level. When the pressure
increases, the axle's rotation is checked successively more with
increasing pressure, with the result that the one-way roll in the
rear wheel becomes effective. One embodiment may be where the axle
which has to be braked has spring suspension 7, so that when under
pressure it abuts against a braking device 10, thereby achieving an
increasing braking effect when there is an increase in pressure.
This is particularly relevant if the brake is internally integrated
in the wheel. Alternatively, there may be a mechanism which presses
down on the axle when there is increased pressure on the roller
ski, or any other known method whatever may be employed for
checking the axle's rotation. In principle it is all the same
whether the freely rolling axle 8 which is braked is located inside
the wheel with one-way roll or vice versa, but it must be ensured
that the axle which rolls freely both ways is that which is
braked.
[0017] Pressure-dependent resistance may also be achieved by having
one wheel (or both wheels) with pressure-dependent one-way brake 26
equipped with an axle or cylinder which has ratchets 24 or notches
which permit rotation one way but prevent rotation the other way.
This axle or cylinder then has spring suspension 7, with the result
that when pressure is applied it will be pressed against a brake
element provided with corresponding notches or ratchets 23 or 25
which are oppositely directed. When a certain pressure is applied
the wheel will then be locked against rotation this one way, i.e.
rearwards, while it will continue to run almost freely in the
forward direction, where only a certain frictional resistance will
become manifest. In order to minimise this frictional resistance
during forward rotation, this embodiment will preferably be made of
a smooth, strong material. The roller ski will then behave very
like a real ski with grip wax, with the roller ski according to the
invention "jerking" slightly when inadvertently encountering
compression in dips, just as with ordinary skis when landing with
the waxed central portion in situations with extra compression.
[0018] This object is achieved with a roller ski comprising a wheel
system as indicated in the following independent patent claim 1,
where further features of the invention will become apparent from
the dependent claims and the description below.
[0019] The present invention relates to a roller ski comprising a
wheel system which provides a pressure-dependent resistance to
rearward roll, in order thereby to simulate how a ski on snow
behaves.
[0020] When the user's foot presses on the profile 4 under the ski
boot, the pressure will be transferred to the freely-rolling roller
systems 2, at least one of which has a spring suspension 7, with
the result that when pressure is applied to the roller ski 100 the
first freely-rolling, spring suspended roller system 2 will be
moved upwards relative to a brake, so that increased pressure on
the roller ski couples the braking system with free roll 2, and the
rotation of the roller system with one-way roll 1 is thereby
determined when the pressure becomes sufficiently great, and the
roller ski has resistance to rearward roll, and thereby
pressure-dependent grip when a kick is implemented.
[0021] In an embodiment of the roller ski according to the present
invention a wheel 27 which is permitted to rotate both ways may be
spring suspended 7, with the result that when the pressure on the
roller ski is increased, this wheel is pressed up against an
overlying wheel with one-way roll 1, 6, where, when the pressure is
increased, the overlying wheel with pressure-dependent one-way roll
brakes the rear wheel's rearward roll, but provides free forward
roll regardless of pressure.
[0022] In order to achieve a pressure-dependent resistance with the
roller ski, in a further embodiment of the present invention at
least one wheel may be suspended in an axle which is permitted to
rotate freely both ways (i.e. both forwards and backwards in the
roller ski's direction of travel), where this axle can be braked by
a brake device which transfers pressure on the roller ski to the
brake, for example via a wire 16, and where the wheel is mounted
relative to its axle 8 with a rearward block (one-way roll) 1, with
the result that the wheel can always roll forwards, but is
prevented from rotating backwards in this system, when sufficient
pressure is applied, so that an increasing pressure on the roller
ski successively brakes the axle, thereby providing increased
resistance to rearward roll.
[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention at
least one wheel may be suspended in the ski-like profile, where the
wheel comprises a roller system 26 with a spring-mounted axle which
without pressure is permitted to roll freely both ways, where the
axle is equipped with one-way ratchets 24, thereby causing rotation
to be checked when it is pressed against a one-way brake with
oppositely directed one-way ratchets 23 or 25, with the result that
under pressure the roller system only permits one-way rotation.
[0024] The above-described embodiments of the present invention
comprise the use of ball bearings etc., but it should be understood
that any technology whatever for suspension of rotating systems may
be employed, where a person skilled in the art will know how this
should be achieved. The known technology for roller systems with
one-way roll normally has ball bearings which only permit one
direction of rotation, these being employed in wheels 6 with
one-way roll.
[0025] Several non-limiting embodiments of the present invention
will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a roller ski with a wheel system 22 for
pressure-dependent resistance to rearward roll according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side, in cross
section from the side and from above,
[0027] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate details of a wheel system 26 in a
second embodiment of the roller ski according to the present
invention,
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate details of a wheel 26 with integrated
pressure-dependent brake inside the wheel according to the present
invention,
[0029] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate details 23, 24, 25 of a wheel system
26 for the roller ski according to FIGS. 2 and 3,
[0030] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an embodiment of the roller ski
according to the present invention, viewed from the side and from
above,
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates details of a wheel system of yet another
embodiment of the roller ski with wire brake 16 according to the
present invention,
[0032] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a wheel system 22 which can be
integrated in the roller ski according to the present invention,
viewed from the side and in cross section, and
[0033] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrates another wheel 22 with integrated
pressure-dependent brake inside the wheel according to the present
invention, viewed from the side and in cross section.
[0034] In the figures the different systems' direction of rotation
may be indicated by arrows, where a double arrow indicates that a
system is freely rolling (can rotate in both directions, both
forwards and backwards), while a single arrow indicates that a
system is pressure-dependent one-way (i.e. can only rotate in one
direction). The single arrows further indicate which way the wheels
rotate when the roller ski is used (in the roller ski's normal
forward "direction of travel"), except for in FIG. 5.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a roller ski 100
according to the present invention, where the roller ski 100
comprises a front wheel 3 and a rear wheel 5, which two wheels 3, 5
are connected by a profile 4. On the profile 4 a binding 18 is
mounted, to which a ski boot (not shown) is intended to be
connected, and a binding profile 19, where the binding 18 and the
binding profile 19 may be a unit, or also be composed of two
separate units. The front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 5 are equipped
with a roller system with pressure-dependent one-way roll 22. The
front and rear wheels 3, 5 are connected to the profile 4 by means
of a mounting device 14, to which mounting device 14 a shield 102
is also connected.
[0036] The roller 100 ski further comprises wheels with a
freely-rolling axle 8 which can be braked on each side, and the
axle 8 is located on the outside of a pressure-dependent one-way
roll axle 1 which always ensures free forward roll but is locked
rearwards in a one-way bearing. A spring 7, which in other figures
is often illustrated directly on the wheels' 3, 5 axle, is mounted
in FIG. 1 in the wheel's mounting device 14 inside the profile 4,
and springs 12 are mounted in the profile 4 so that the wheel's
mounting bracket 14 constitutes a spring arm.
[0037] Another adaption is for an overlying brake element 10 to be
mounted at an adjustable angle slantingly in towards the profile 4,
where the angle relative to a horizontal plane may typically vary
between 10 and 45 degrees. This will provide a slight increase in
brake pressure when contact is made between brake element 10 and a
cylinder or axle 13.
[0038] The roller ski 100 is further illustrated with an adjusting
device 9, thereby enabling the spring(s) 12 to be adjusted in order
to obtain the desired pressure-dependent braking effect on the axle
8.
[0039] FIG. 2A illustrates a system for pressure-dependent one-way
roll 26 which may be located at the rear (and/or the front) of a
roller ski according to the present invention, viewed here in cross
section from behind. The wheel has an axle 8 which is suspended in
ball bearings 11 and permits free rotation of the axle 8 in both
directions (clockwise and anticlockwise). The axle 8 is
spring-mounted relative to the roller ski 100, with the result that
when the pressure on the roller ski 100 exceeds a certain level,
the axle's 8 external cylinder (enlarged axle) 24 with one-way
ratchets 24A, 24B is pressed against the brake element 23, 25 (a
different brake element is indicated employed on each side of the
wheel, even though in principle either brake element 23 or brake
element 25 will be employed on both sides of the wheel which is
equipped with oppositely directed one-way ratchets 23A, 25A),
thereby causing the wheels to be locked against rotation in one
direction when a certain pressure is applied. In some embodiments a
certain resistance will also arise to forward roll when pressure is
applied to the system, but this resistance can be restricted by the
choice of smooth materials and correct geometry on cylinder 24 and
brake 23. If brake element 25 is used with spring ratchet 25A,
almost no forward roll resistance is to be expected. The pressure
required to obtain pressure-dependent one-way roll must be
adjustable, preferably both by being able to replace elements in
the roller ski which influence the resilience (for example springs
with different stiffness) and/or by using a device for pressure
adjustment of the roller ski (for example an adjustable distance or
moment). One possible example of pressure adjustment is illustrated
in FIG. 1.
[0040] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross section of a wheel and
suspension system 26 viewed from the side. The point here is that a
practical spring device 7 exists which ensures that the rear part
of the profile 4 provides an attachment for a glider pocket G with
spring resistance in which the ball bearing 11 holding the axle 8
will be able to be pressed upwards. In the glider pocket G one or
more springs 12 will then be mounted, which spring or springs will
be compressed when the ball bearing 11 and the axle 8 move in the
glider pocket G when pressure is applied.
[0041] FIG. 3B also illustrates a possible example of a vertical
glider pocket G, which according to the principle in FIG. 2 will be
placed on the outside of the actual wheel. However, instead of
glider pocket G the same arrangement as in FIG. 1 with a spring arm
may also be employed.
[0042] FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of a wheel with
pressure-dependent one-way roll roller system 26 integrated inside
the wheel, where the principle from FIG. 2 is integrated in its
entirety as a part of the wheel, so that it is attached to the
profile 4 in such a manner that there is no rotation in the
attachment point, and no spring suspension outside the wheel. The
wheel has a rotating axle 8 internally between two ball bearings 11
with free roll 2, where the actual ball bearing 11 is
non-rotatingly suspended in an extension of the wheel's attachment
to the profile 4, but the whole ball bearing 11 may be sprung
vertically. When the wheel 26 is subjected to pressure, the axle 8
with its cylinder 24 with one-way ratchet will be pushed upwards
and the rotation is stopped in a direction against the brake 23 or
25 which has oppositely directed ratchets. When the cylinder 24 on
the axle 8 is securely locked against the brake 23, 25, the wheel
can only roll forwards round the axle 8. The right and left sides
of the wheel are shown in different embodiments, only in order to
illustrate different arrangements and to show that symmetry is not
a requirement, but in practice a symmetrical arrangement is used in
one and the same wheel. Springs 7 are shown both above and below
the axle 8, and slightly different resistance may be employed in
the spring system above and below the axle 8, with the result that
if the wheel mount is rotated 180 degrees, a different pressure
resistance is obtained before the one-way roll is activated. The
same result may be achieved by using slightly different spacing
between axle and brake above and below the axle.
[0043] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross section through the vertical
spring suspension for the ball bearing 11 in which the axle 8
rotates.
[0044] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate different possible variants of
one-way ratchets on the axle or cylinder 24 and associated brake
element 23 viewed from the side and slightly enlarged. The object
here is to obtain a system which provides the least possible
braking effect for forward roll and the greatest possible effect
for rearward roll when the system with the axle or the cylinder 24
and the brake element 23 are brought into contact with one another
(pressed together). Low friction is achieved in the forward
direction, particularly with the use of spring ratchets 25. In the
figures the different directions of rotation are indicated by
arrows, where a double arrow indicates a rotation in both
directions without pressure, while a single arrow indicates only
one direction of rotation when cylinder 24 and brake element 23 or
brake element 25 are pressed together.
[0045] In FIG. 4A the brake element 23 is provided with a number of
ratchets 23A which will permit the axle or the cylinder 24 to
rotate one way (e.g. in the one-way arrow's direction, i.e.
clockwise), but will prevent the axle or the cylinder 24 from
rotating in an opposite direction. The axle or the cylinder 24 will
then be provided with corresponding notches 24A, with the result
that, when the brake element 23 and the axle or cylinder 24 are
brought into contact, a certain pressure on the roller ski will
cause a full stop to be obtained in a direction of rotation.
[0046] FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of the brake element
23 and the axle or the cylinder 24, where the brake element 23 is
now provided with notches 23B, while the axle or the cylinder 24 is
provided with corresponding ratchets 24B.
[0047] FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of a brake element
25, where the brake element 25 is now provided with a number of
spring ratchets 25A. The axle or the cylinder 24 may also be
provided with corresponding notches or ratchets as illustrated in
FIG. 4A or 4B.
[0048] FIG. 4D illustrates yet another embodiment of the brake
element 23 and the axle or the cylinder 24, where ratchets and
notches are of a different shape from those illustrated in FIGS. 4A
to 4C.
[0049] FIG. 5A illustrates an indirect method for implementing
one-way roll by means of pressure. The front wheel 3 is freely
rolling and the rear wheel 5 is freely rolling 27 and spring
mounted 7, and over the freely rolling rear wheel 5 a one-way
rolling system 1 is located. When the freely rolling wheel 5 is
pressed up towards the one-way rolling wheel 1, 6, the friction
between these two wheels 27, 6 will cause wheel 27 to also become
gradually more one-way rolling with increasing pressure on the ski.
Note that the one-way roll in wheel 6 here is the opposite way to
previously illustrated examples, since it acts indirectly via wheel
27.
[0050] FIG. 5B illustrates the roller ski viewed from above.
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a wheel system 22 with
one-way roll internally 1 and an axle 8 which rotates freely 2 in a
ball bearing 11, where this axle 8 has a brake disc which is braked
via a wire 16 to a brake 10 where the wire is tightened when
pressure is applied to the roller ski from the foot. This may be
accomplished in many ways. One way is to have the wheel 6
spring-suspended with the wire located in a fixed extension of the
roller ski. When the wheel 6 goes up, the wire 16 is tightened and
the brake 10 is activated. Another way may be with a device which
absorbs the pressure in the shoe attachment (not shown), thereby
pulling the wire.
[0052] FIG. 7A illustrates an integrated wheel 22 which can be
placed at the rear (and/or in front) of a roller ski, viewed here
in cross section from behind. The wheel has an axle 8 which has a
one-way roll 1, with the result that when the axle 8 is securely
locked, the wheel can only roll forwards round the axle. The axle
is spring-suspended externally in a ball bearing 11 with free roll
2 both ways. When the roller ski comes under pressure, the whole of
the external ball bearing 11 will be pressed upwards against the
resistance from a spring and the small wheel 13 which is fixed
externally on the axle 8 is pressed up towards a fixed rigid brake
10. The more pressure there is on the wheel, the more the free
rotation 2 in the axle 8 will thereby be braked, whereby the
one-way roll function 1 is gradually coupled inside the wheel, and
the rearward roll resistance is thereby increased with increasing
pressure on the ski.
[0053] FIG. 7B illustrates the integrated wheel 6 viewed from the
side. The rear part of the profile 4 is illustrated in a rough
outline--it has spring resistance against which the ball bearing 11
holding the axle 8 should be able to be upwardly pressed
against.
[0054] FIG. 8A illustrates a wholly-integrated wheel 22 viewed in
cross section from behind, where the principle in FIG. 7 is
integrated in its entirety as a part of the wheel, whereby the
latter is attached to the profile 4 in such a manner that there is
no rotation in the mounting point, nor is there any spring
suspension outside the wheel. The wheel has a rotating axle 8
internally between two ball bearings 11 with free roll 2, where the
actual ball bearing is non-rotatingly suspended in an extension of
the wheel's attachment to the profile 4, but the whole ball bearing
may be vertically sprung. When the wheel is subjected to pressure,
the axle 8 will be pressed upwards and the rotation checked against
the brake 10. The actual wheel is rigidly fixed to the axle 8 via a
one-way rotating system 1. When the axle 8 is securely locked
against the brake 10, the wheel can only roll forwards round the
axle 8 via the one-way roller system 1. The right and left sides of
the wheel are shown in different versions merely to illustrate
different arrangements and the fact that symmetry is not a
requirement, but in practice a symmetrical arrangement is usually
employed in one and the same wheel.
[0055] FIG. 8B illustrates a cross section from the side through
the vertical spring suspension for the ball bearing 11 in which the
axle 8 freely rotates.
[0056] There has been talk throughout of spring systems, but there
are far too many of these on the market to describe this in more
than a superficial manner. The use of any known spring system may
be envisaged implemented in this connection.
[0057] When we say here that a wheel system is pressed upwards
relative to another, it often means that it is the other system
which is pressed down, in which case it is only a matter of what
constitutes the fixed point.
[0058] Wheels with one-way roll are known from today's roller skis,
and the technology exists in many variants which we shall not
describe in greater detail here, but only present a schematic
illustration of a type of one-way roll. The same applies for the
one-way brake in FIGS. 2 and 3, where we intend to use a variant of
known technology, with the result that it is the combination of the
spring suspension applied to roller skis which is novel.
[0059] These were some outlines of variants of embodiments of the
principles of the invention, where in practice many other variants
thereof may be chosen.
[0060] The invention has now been explained by means of several
embodiments. Only elements connected with the invention have been
described and a person skilled in the art will understand that with
the present roller ski, spring systems not illustrated here may be
employed in order to achieve the desired braking effect.
REFERENCE TERMS EMPLOYED IN THE FIGURES
[0061] 1. Device/system with one-way rotation
[0062] 2. Device/system with free rotation both ways
[0063] 3. Front wheel
[0064] 4. Profile connecting front wheel and rear wheel
[0065] 5. Rear wheel
[0066] 6. Wheel with one-way rotation
[0067] 7. Spring (yielding) suspension
[0068] 8. Axle with free rotation
[0069] 9. Adjustment of pressure
[0070] 10. Brake
[0071] 11. Ball bearings or the like suited for axle mounting
[0072] 12. Elastic spring
[0073] 13. Small auxiliary wheel
[0074] 14. The wheel's mounting arrangement
[0075] 15. Line for hydraulic fluid/air
[0076] 16. Wire
[0077] 17. Ski boot
[0078] 18. Binding attachment for the shoe
[0079] 19. Binding profile under boot
[0080] 20. The ground, usually asphalt
[0081] 21. Tyre material
[0082] 22. System of wheel and suspension, where both system 1 and
system 2 are integrated
[0083] 23. One-way brake element with one-way ratchets
[0084] 23A. Ratchets in brake element
[0085] 24. Cylinder (wheel) axle with one-way ratchets
[0086] 24A. Notches in axle or cylinder 24
[0087] 25. One-way brake element with spring ratchets
[0088] 25A. Spring ratchets in brake element 25
[0089] 26. System of wheel and suspension, where both system 24 and
system 23/25 are integrated into a pressure-dependent one-way
roller system
[0090] 27. Wheel with free roll both ways (FIG. 5)
[0091] 100. Roller ski
[0092] 101. Notch
[0093] 102. Protective profile
[0094] 103. Reinforced portion
[0095] G. Glider pocket
[0096] S. Shield
* * * * *