U.S. patent number 3,904,215 [Application Number 05/512,103] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-09 for walking roller skate.
Invention is credited to Andrew Bardy.
United States Patent |
3,904,215 |
Bardy |
September 9, 1975 |
Walking roller skate
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a
walking roller skate which may be used for the combination of
walking and skating as a result of wheel-locks and brakes and
unidirectional roll and slip-clutch combinations as a part thereof,
and a hinge between forward and rearward platforms providing a
flexible arch, there being forward, intermediate and rearward pairs
of wheels, each pair consisting of one wheel on each of opposite
sides of its respective platform, the forward pair of wheels being
caster wheels biased into a trailing centered relationship for
normal forward rolling, the central pair of wheels being
unidirectional enlarged located at a back end of the forward
platform such that the full body weight of the skater may be
supported on the sole of the person's foot on the forward platform
supported forwardly by the forward pair of wheels and rearwardly by
the central pair of wheels, with the central wheels rollable solely
forwardly of the skate, and with a rearward pair of caster wheels
mounted on the rearward platform for trailing relationship and
normally biased inwardly toward one-another such that the rear of
the wheel in a fully biased state extends substantially
perpendicularly to one-another and laterally angularly inwardly
relative to fore and aft alignment of the roller skate platforms,
the rearward pair of wheels jointly being intermittently
controllably lockable into the angularly biased state concurrently
with the applying of brakes to the intermediate pair of wheels.
Inventors: |
Bardy; Andrew (New York,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
27001308 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/512,103 |
Filed: |
October 4, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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361502 |
May 18, 1973 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.212;
188/30; 482/51; 280/11.221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
17/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
17/00 (20060101); A63C 17/20 (20060101); A63C
017/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/11.2,11.21,11.31,11.33,11.19 ;188/25,27,82.1,30
;272/57D,70 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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24,044 |
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Nov 1896 |
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GB |
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1,104,413 |
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Nov 1955 |
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FR |
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Primary Examiner: Schonberg; David
Assistant Examiner: Mitchell; David M.
Parent Case Text
This invention and application is a continuation-in-part and
improvement on the patent application Ser. No. 361,502, filed May
18, 1973, now U.s. Pat. No. 3,871,672.
Claims
I claim:
1. A walking skate device comprising in combination: substantially
separate forward and rearward platform structures having upper and
lower faces thereof; platform hinge means pivotably hinging a
rearward portion of said forward platform structure to a forward
portion of said rearward platform structure; a first pair of
spaced-apart wheels mounted on a forward portion of said forward
platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof; a second
pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted on a rearward portion of said
forward platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof;
rear wheel means for rollable support of and mounted on a rearward
portion of said rearward platform structure; forward-foot securing
means for detachably affixing said forward platform to a forward
part of a person's foot; a rearward-foot securing means for
detachably affixing said rearward platform to a rearward part of a
person's foot; and brake means for applying controllably and
intermittently braking forces to said second pair of spaced-apart
wheels.
2. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said second pair of
spaced-apart wheels includes slip-clutch means such that each of
the pair of wheels thereof is rollable of the forward platform
structure forwardly and is slip-clutch lockable of the platform
structure against rolling rearwardly in direction.
3. A walking skate device of claim 2, in which said slip-clutch
means includes a separate slip-clutch unit for each of the second
pair of spaced-apart wheels, each unit including an inner
substantially circular structure having radially outwardly
extending wheel-circumscribingly angularly-inclined stepped teeth
arranged serially peripherally around an outer circumscribing
surface and fixedly attached to the circumscribing surface, said
circumscribing surface and said inner substantially circular
structure thereof being fixedly mounted onto said forward platform
structure, and an annular ring-like structure spaced radially
outwardly from the circumscribing surface and circularly
incompassing the circumscribing surface, the annular ring-like
structure being fixedly attached to one of said second pair of
spaced apart wheels for revolving therewith, there being a
plurality of spaced-apart step-engageable latch elements extending
angularly radially inwardly with a shaft of each latch element
extending in a direction of forward roll such that upon rotation of
its respective wheel the latch element shafts are movable of distal
ends thereof radially outwardly away from latch-engagable positions
with respective ones of said stepped teeth and such that upon
revolving of the wheel thereof in a rearward direction of roll of
the forward platform structure one or more of the latch elements
are engageable latchably with respective ones of said stepped
teeth.
4. A walking skate device of claim 3, in which each wheel of said
second pair of spaced-apart wheels includes radially facing inner
and outer faces extending circumscribingly around a wheel structure
thereof located between the inner and outer faces, at least a
portion of the inner face including a series of substantially
equally spaced-apart apertures arranged serially circumscribingly
of the wheel, each of the apertures of said inner face being
defined with its longitudinal axis extending radially outwardly at
an incline toward a direction of forward roll of its wheel thereof,
and each of said latch elements including a mounting-base-shaft
mounted with a longitudinal axis thereof extending within one of
said inner surface's apertures detachably mounted therein.
5. A walking skate device of claim 4, in which said rear wheel
means includes a pair of spaced-apart caster-mounted wheels biasing
means for urging said caster-mounted wheels toward one-another such
that trailing edges thereof are biased toward one-another at an
angle whereby forward rolling of the forward platform structure on
the first and second pairs of spaced-apart wheels is inhibited, and
engageable locking key means lockable controllably and
intermittently of the biased wheels in their respective inwardly
biased states.
6. A walking skate device of claim 5, in which said brake means
includes lever structure manually actuable of said engageable
locking key means, the brake means further including brake-band
structure for each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels
operatively interconnected with the lever structure for actuation
and deactuation of the brake band structure by the lever structure,
the lever structure including a first lever element of elongated
shape mounted for to and fro movement on a longitudinal axis of its
elongated length and being mounted such that the elongated lever
element extends substantially transversely through a point of
hinging of the platform hinge means whereby pivoting of the forward
and rearward platform structures relative to one-another is
substantially devoid of axial movement of the first lever element
relative to altered pivotal movement of the forward and rearward
platform structures relative to one-another, and a second lever
element mounted on the forward platform structure operatively
connected to a brake band structure and operatively in contact with
said first lever element such that to and fro axial movement of the
first lever element along its longitudinal length axis is actuable
and deactuable of said brake band structure.
7. A walking skate device of claim 6, in which said lever structure
includes a third lever element extending substantially angularly
uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and
including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform
structure, the third lever element including a portion shaped for
engagement by a forward portion of a person's lower leg when the
ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves
forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the
person's foot whereby forward pressure on the third lever element
serves to apply braking torque for thus applying brakes to said
second pair of spaced-apart wheels and to said rear wheel
means.
8. A walking skate device of claim 7, in which said third lever
element is telescopable.
9. A walking skate device of claim 8, in which said brake means
further includes an operatively detachably mountable hand-brake
having an elongated connector transmittable of braking and
brake-disengageable forces, and trigger structures connected to the
connector and hand actuable and deactuable of braking forces
through the connector.
10. A walking skate device of claim 9, in which said third lever
element includes mounted thereon engageable and disengageable
locking-element means also operatively mounted on said rearward
platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said third
lever element forwardly beyond a predetermined locking point
automatically effects a locking of said third lever element in a
forward pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next
consecutive pivotal movement of said third lever element forwardly
thereby automatically releases said third lever element from a
locked state for automatic return to a non-braking state, and
mounted spring means biasing said third lever element rearwardly
pivotably, and biasing said brake-band structure into a deactuated
state.
11. A walking skate device of claim 10, in which said rearward
platform structure includes an upright mounting structure extending
therefrom, and in which said locking-element means includes an
engageable key element mounted on one of said third lever element
and said upright mounting structure, a pivotably mounted
locking-arm and opposing spaced-apart first and second abutting
structures mounted on the remaining other one of said third lever
element and said upright mounting structure, at least one of said
lock-arm and said first and second abutting structures being a
magnet and the other of said lock-arm and said first and second
abutting structures being composed of magnetizable composition such
that the composition would be attracted by magnetic forces, said
locking element means further including a key arm mounted pivotably
on said lock-arm and a spring element mounted on said lever-arm and
positioned for engaging and biasing said key-arm toward a central
position between opposite pivot positions whenever said key-arm is
forcefully pivoted in either of opposite directions beyond
predetermined points of unbiased pivot between said predetermined
points, said key-arm being positioned such that the distal end
thereof is engageable with said key element is pivotable by applied
force upwardly and by gravity downwardly, said lock-arm being
pivotably mounted relative to said abutting structures such that
pivotable movement of said lock-arm between the first and second
abutting structures is pivotable of said key-arm upwardly and
downwardly, said key element being mounted at a location such that
said key-arm is rideable on top of said key-element when said
lock-arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second abutting
structures in a direction pivoting said distal end downwardly as
said third lever arm element is in a rearwardly pivoted location
and state relative to the key element, such that said distal end is
lockably retainable by biasing pressure of said spring means by
engagement of the distal end with the key element when said lever
arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second spaced-apart
abutting elements resulting in a direction resulting in a distal
end being in a downwardly pivoted position, and such that when said
lock-arm is pivoted toward the other of said first and second
abutting elements said distal end is in an upwardly pivoted state
relative to and above an engaging point of said key element, and
such that when said distal end is engaged with said key element
biasing pressure of said spring means biases the key-arm against
biasing force of said spring element in a direction such that the
lock-arm becomes pivoted toward said other of said first and second
abutting structures whereby the distal end is springable upwardly
whenever thereafter said third lever element is moved forwardly
sufficiently for disengagement of said distal end with said key
element.
12. A walking skate device of claim 11, in which said key element
is mounted on said third lever arm, and in which said lock-arm and
said first and second abutting elements are mounted on said upright
mounting structure.
13. A walking skate device of claim 12, in which said key-arm is
mounted pivotably at a first location on said lock-arm relative to
a second location at which said lock-arm is pivoted on a pivot
axis, that as to a plane extending through the first and second
locations the key-arm extends along its length longitudinally in a
direction substantially transversely to said plane such that a
predetermined high degree of leverage is obtainable against said
lock-arm by said key-arm in causing the lock-arm to pivot from said
one to said other of said first and second abutting structures when
said key element is lockably engaged with said distal end together
with said spring means biasing said third lever element toward said
upright mounting structure.
14. A walking skate device of claim 13, in which said rearward-foot
securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures
mounted on said rearward platform structure such that clamping ends
thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward
one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides of a
person's heel are engageable therebetween, and depressor-lever
structure engaged with each of the claw structures and shaped and
positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly
pressed heel of a person's foot such that upon a pressing
downwardly of the depressor structure the claw-structures are
movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable
depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform
structure and lockably engageable of the depressor-lever structure
when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed
downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing.
15. A walking skate device of claim 14, in which each said
claw-structure includes an elongated flexible sturdy strip having a
base mounted on said upright mounting structure and having the
strip extending laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a
heel-clamping position, and the clamp structure further including
at a strip distal end of the strip a heel-engageable seat structure
mounted thereon, said depressor-lever structure including
spaced-apart upright lever structures each engaged with a different
one of said strips, and the depressor-lever structure further
including an intermediate heel-seat structure seatably receivable
of a bottom face of a person's heel, such that downward pressure on
an upper face of said intermediate heel-seat structure moves each
said upright lever structures downwardly in a direction axially
along its longitudinal length with the result that each said strip
distal end engaged by the respective upright lever structure is
flexible angularly laterally-inwardly downwardly thereby movable of
the respective heel-engageable seat structures clampably toward
one-another.
16. A walking skate device of claim 15, in which each said upright
lever structure defines spaced-apart upright guide-rails and
upwardly and downwardly adjustable and lockable strip-engaging
key-structure mounted between and on said spaced-apart upright
guide-rails, widening distance between the opposing said
claw-structures in a clamped-down state, when adjusted downwardly,
and narrowing distance between the opposing said claw-structures in
a clamped-down state when adjusted upwardly, said releasably
engageable depressor-lock structure including a spring-biased key
biased into a locking state automatically engageable of a depressor
key of said depressor-lever structure when said depressor-lever
structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to said
predetermined point of depressing, and an over-brake lever
operatively linking together said spring-biased key and said third
lever element such that forward movement of an upper end of said
third lever element is disengageable of said spring-biased key when
said third lever element is advanced beyond a predetermined braking
point such that the releasably engageable depressor-lock structure
becomes disengaged from locked engagement thereby.
17. A walking skate device of claim 16, in which said brake means
further includes a rotatably pivotably mounted link structure
mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the
respective wheel of the second pair of spaced-apart wheels and
operatively connected to and for rotation by said second lever
element, and having extending radially from the link structure a
substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end
of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a
radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite
end of the linking element connected pivotably to a brake-band
distal end of the brake band, the linking element being connected
at an angle to an inner surface of the brake band at a distance
substantially further away from an end-alignment with the terminal
end of the brake band than the link structure-connected end of the
linking element such that movement of the brake band-end of the
linking structure toward a base-mounted end of the brake band upon
rotation of the link structure by actuation of the second lever
element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end radially
outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking element, said
spring means being interconnected between said brake band terminal
end and said forward platform structure and positioned such that
the brake band terminal end is biased radially inwardly and biased
along its length longitudinal axis of the brake band toward the
mounted base of the brake band whereby rotatable braking action of
the link structure is pressible radially outwardly on portions of
the brake band progressively first at a base-mounted end of the
brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking
leverage of said second lever element is increased.
18. A walking skate device of claim 17, in which each said brake
band structure includes two of said brake bands serially spaced
around an inner circumference of each of said second pair of
spced-apart wheels, and each brake band includes therewith its
respective linking element commonly linked to and at opposite
circumferential sides of said link structure for its respective
wheel, and each of said brake bands includes therewith its
respective said spring means.
19. A walking skate device of claim 18, in which said first pair of
spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably
mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its
respective wheel equally from opposite side directions into a
substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly
direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart
wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft
to follow behind a forwardly-located mounting point for the mounted
axle shaft.
20. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rear wheel
means includes a pair of spaced-apart caster-mounted wheels,
biasing means for urging said caster-mounted wheels toward
one-another at an angle whereby forward rolling of the forward
platform structure on the first and second pairs of spaced-apart
wheels is inhibited, and engageable locking key means lockable
controllably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their
respective inwardly biased states, said brake means including lever
structure manually actuable of said engageable locking key
means.
21. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means
includes brake-band structure for each wheel of said second pair of
spaced-apart wheels operatively interconnected with the lever
structure for actuation and deactuation of the brake band structure
by the lever structure, and the lever structure including a first
lever element of elongated shape mounted for to and fro movement on
a longitudinal axis of its elongated length and being mounted such
that the elongated lever element extends substantially transversely
through a point of hinging of the platform hinge means whereby
pivoting of the forward and rearward platform structures relative
to one-another is substantially devoid of axial movement of the
first lever element relative to altered pivotal movement of the
forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another,
and a second lever element mounted on the forward platform
structure operatively connected to a brake band structure and
operatively in contact with said first lever element such that to
and fro axial movement of the first lever element along its
longitudinal length axis is actuable and deactuable of said brake
band structure.
22. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means
includes lever structure manually actuable, the lever structure
including a lever element extending substantially angularly
uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and
including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform
structure, the lever element including a portion shaped for
engagement by a forward portion of a person's lower leg when the
ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves
forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the
person's foot whereby forward pressure on the lever element serves
to apply said brake means to said second pair of spaced-apart
wheels.
23. A walking skate device of claim 22, in which said lever element
is telescopable.
24. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means
includes lever structure manually actuable, the lever structure
including a lever element having mounted thereon engageable and
disengageable locking-element means mounted on said rearward
platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said lever
element forwardly beyond a predetermined braking point
automatically effects a locking of the lever element in a forwardly
pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next
consecutive forward pivotal movement of said lever element thereby
automatically releases said third lever element from a locked state
for automatic return to a non-braking state, and spring means
biasing said third lever element rearwardly pivotably.
25. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rearward-foot
securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures
mounted on said rearward platform structure such that clamping ends
thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward
one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides of a
person's heel are engageable therebetween, and depressor-lever
structure engaged with each of the claw-structures and shaped and
positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly
pressed heel of a person's foot such that upon a pressing
downwardly of the depressor structure the claw-structures are
movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable
depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform
structure and lockably engageable of the depressor-lever structure
when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed
downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing, said claw
structure each including an elongated flexible sturdy strip having
a base mounted on an upright mounting structure extending from said
rearward platform structure and having the strip extending
laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a heel-clamping position,
and the clamp structure further including at a strip distal end of
the strip a heel-engageable seat structure mounted thereon, said
depressor-lever structure including spaced-apart upright lever
structures each engaged with a different one of said strips, and
the depressor-lever structure further including an intermediate
heel-seat structure seatably receivable of a bottom face of a
person's heel, such that downward pressure on an upper face of said
intermediate heel-seat structure moves each said upright lever
structures downwardly in a direction axially along its longitudinal
length with the result that each said strip distal end engaged by
the respective upright lever structure is flexible angularly
laterally-inwardly downwardly thereby movable of the respective
heel-engageable seat structures clampably toward one-another.
26. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means
includes a manually rotatable pivotably mounted link structure
mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the
respective wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels and
operatively connected to and for rotation by an actuation lever
element, and having extending radially from the link structure a
substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end
of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a
radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite
end of the linking element connected pivotably to and including a
brake band connected thereto at a distal end of the brake band, the
linking element being connected at an angle to an inner surface of
the brake band at a distance substantially further away from an
end-alignment with a terminal end of the brake band that the link
structure-connected end of the linking element such that movement
of the brake band terminal end toward a base-mounted end of the
brake band upon rotation of the link structure by actuation of said
actuation lever element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end
radially outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking
element, and spring means interconnected between said brake band
terminal end and said forward platform structure and said spring
means being positioned such that the brake band terminal end is
biased radially inwardly and biased along its length longitudinal
axis of the brake band toward a mounted base mounted onto said
forward platfrom structure whereby rotatable braking action of the
link structure is pressible radially outwardly portions of the
brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking
leverage of said second lever element is increased.
27. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said first pair of
spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably
mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its
respective wheel equally from opposite side directions into a
substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly
direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart
wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft
to follow behind a forwardly-located mounting point for the mounted
axle shaft.
28. A walking skate device comprising in combination: a skate
platform means having forwardly and rearwardly pairs of wheels
mounted on the platform means, the platform means being for the
transporting support of a person's foot or shoe structure, said
rearwardly pair of wheels being caster-mounted, biasing means for
urging each of said caster-mounted wheels toward the other at an
angle such that a braking action results against forward rolling of
the platform means, and engageable locking key means lockable
controlably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their biased
states, said locking key means being manually actuable.
Description
The present invention relates to a roller skate for walking and/or
skating.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention there have existed various modes of
transportation for individual persons, such as automobiles,
motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, but all of these have inherent
limitations and disadvantages in so far as relatively short
distances of transport required particularly in metropolitan areas,
in so far as the inconvenience of storing or parking the same
during the trip before return, on a round trip, as well as
requiring special driving or riding skills by the user thereof.
Roller skates previously have been utilized almost exclusively as
amusement devices for skating at a skating rink or limited sidewalk
area or the like. Moreover, skates of the roller skate type have
not been readily suitable for nor safe for use for walking or
activities that would be performed by non-skilled skaters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, objects of the invention are to overcome the
difficulties and problems and short-comings and disadvantages
existing heretofore, of the type(s) referred to above, together
with to provide a new and improved mode of transportation in the
nature of a roller skate suitable for each or either of
rollerskating and walking.
Another object is to obtain a walking skate unidirectional in its
roll.
Another object is a skate having a pivotably archable heel platform
structure and being stably supportable of a person's weight
sturdily on a forward platform thereof, and supporting the user
(well) below the lines of axles of the wheel(s)-structures to allow
a choice of levels of low levels of gravity and at the sametime
simplifying the mode of usage by elevating the user with preferably
a minimum of height above the ground at an approprate height to
provide sufficient ground clearance.
Another object is to obtain a skate of a roller skate variety
having novel rearward platform locking wheels.
Another object is to obtain a novel roller skate mounting and
dismounting semi-automatic device for detachably clampably mounting
skates onto a skater's shoes or feet.
Another object is to obtain an improved unidirectional slip-clutch
device of particular value on a roller skate.
Another object is to obtain a walking roller skate suitable for
each of roller skating and walking on level and/or inclined
surfaces and/or for the climbing of or descending of stairs or
other steps.
Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following
disclosure.
One or more objects of the invention are obtained by the invention
as described herein.
Broadly the invention includes a walking skate having forward and
rearward platforms intermediately pivoted permitting upward flexing
of the rearward heel portion or rearward platform, and having three
pairs of spaced apart wheels consecutively mounted one behind the
other, the first two pairs being mounted on the forward platform
and the third pair being mounted trailingly on the rearward
platform, and there being braking means for intermittently
controllably applying braking forces to the second pair of spaced
apart wheels located at a rearward end of the forward platform
(optionally braking force is appliable to the pair of rear-wheels
as well) and additionally there being suitable securing structures
mounted on the rearward platform for securing the skate to the heel
of the foot or shoe. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at
least the second pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted at the
rearward portion of the forward platform include for each wheel a
unidirectional slip-clutch mechanism. In a preferred embodiment,
for each unidirectional slip-clutch mechanism there is included a
ratchet mechanism in which there are provided on a circular
radially outward surface a series of slanted teeth, and in an
opposing annular outer ring mounted therearound there are provided
a greater plurality of loop structures extending forwardly in a
forward direction of roll of the wheel in slightly radially
inwardly directions such that rolling of the wheel serves to
centrifugally move the loops radially outwardly at their distal
ends away from engagement contact with one or more of the steps,
and such that upon attempted roll of the wheel in a reverse
direction, one or more of the loops promptly become looped
retainingly around respective ones of the slanted teeth or steps.
Preferably the number of loops is more than the number of teeth or
steps, such that there is an overlapping relationship resulting in
a prompt and substantially instantaneous engagement of one or more
of the steps or teeth, irrespective of the rotatable position of
the wheel or other rotatable member on which the loops are mounted.
In a further preferred embodiment of the unidirectional slip
clutch, each loop element includes a base shaft extending
substantially rigidly at about a right angle to the loop element,
and mounting apertures extending substantially radially outwardly
within the inner surface of the rotatable member extends angularly
forward in the direction of unidirectional roll or revolution of
the rotatable member, such that a high degree of strength for the
entire loop element and sturdiness in its mounting aperture results
in an improved durability of the loops during their engagement with
one or more of the keys. In a further preferred embodiment of the
invention, the rear pair of wheels are caster wheels each biased
inwardly toward one-another such that in a normal fully biased
state the rearward caster wheels are angled at about a 120.degree.
angle to one-another, each of the rearward caster wheels being
mounted in a trailing-fashion on its axle-axis such that the
respective wheels follow movement of the skate forwardly rolling
precedingly ahead. The caster brake further preferably includes
locking pins manually intermittently lockable of the trailing
caster wheels when in their fully biased state such that when
locked in their respective fully biased states the locked biased
trailing caster wheels serve as a braking mechanism against forward
roll of the skate, as well as against lateral rolling in either of
opposite lateral directions of the rearward portion of the
skate.
In a further preferred embodiment, the braking mechanism includes
brake-band type brake having an actuating typically wire-cable
lever extending between the rearward and forward platforms with the
actuating lever movable substantially axially of its longitudinal
length with the cable extending substantially through the point of
pivot of the hinge interconnecting the forward and rearward
platform, the axially movable cable lever being actuatable by an
actuation mechanism mounted on the rearward platform on preferably
an upright side flange thereof. The axial movement of the cable
lever through the point of pivot noted-above, serves to prevent any
actuation or deactuation of the brake that might otherwise result
during pivoting movement of the rearward platform relative to the
forward platform. The actuation mechanism extends preferably
upwardly pivotably from at least one upright side flange of the
rearward platform and is biased rearwardly and engageable by
preferably the forward shin of a person on which the skate is
mounted, with the actuation mechanism such that forward movement
thereof by the persons shin when he bends his leg at the ankle
forwardly serves to apply the brakes to the second pair of wheels
as well as to advance lockably the locking pins for the rearward
pair of wheels for locking the rearward wheels in their fully
biased states. There optionally preferably may also be employed a
hand brake detachably mountable onto each skate with an extension
cord such that a person in a standing position may operate the
brake manually with his hand. There is preferably included a
releasable catch mechanism for latching the actuation lever
actuatable by pressure from the person's shin, into a fully braked
state and for releasing from the latched state by repeated
thereafter next consecutive forward pressing of the actuation lever
before releasing it rearwardly. The rearward platform securing
means for fastening the rearward platform onto a person's heel
preferably is a clamping structure of a claw-type variety. The claw
structure is actuatable by preferably up biasing of mounting strips
thereof pulled and locked downwardly by depressor lever structure
whenever the heel of a person presses downwardly on the depressor
lever structure trigger during the putting-on of the skate, and in
the clamped state there is a latching element which is releasable
preferably by a release pin releasably actuated by pressing the
brake actuation lever by force of the shin of the person forwardly
into a positon over-brake beyond the normal braking point. Also,
preferably the respective left and right clamps of the claw
mechanism of a skate are separately each manually adjustable
preferably by a novel twist element releasably lockable at varying
points for varying the degree of clamping pressure and for
adjusting for the best suitable height level of gripping a
particular person's heel.
The central pair of wheels, i.e. the rearward pair of wheels on the
forward platform are preferably oversized wheels and include a
preferred brake-band novel mechanism as shall be described in
detail hereafter, basically including an inner rotatable circular
member which upon rotation increasingly wedges and presses
outwardly link element(s) connected at its outer end to the
brake-band at free-end portion to press the brake-band brakingly
radially outwardly. Also, in a further preferred embodiment
thereof, the terminal end of the brake-band is spring biased
inwardly radially and axially of its longitudinal length toward its
mounting base such that when the link element presses outwardly the
brake-band portion, the spring mechanism of the brake-band serves
to bias the brake-band such that the brake-band begins its braking
frictional contact initially at a point adjacent the mounted base
of the brake-band, and as braking action and pressure is increased,
braking of the band increasingly advances toward the terminal free
end of the brake-band, (where it is the strongest). Also, for
preferred balanced braking of the wheel, there are bilaterally
serially consecutively spaced brake band mechanisms around the
wheel such that at least opposite two brake bands actuate
concurrently to give braking simultaneously on each of opposite
sides of the brake drum against which the brake bands each
respectively are pressured.
The first pair of wheels on the forward end of the forward platform
are caster mounted and are mounted to trail behind the mounting
axis thereof and are preferably spring-biased into a centrally
aligned state for normal alignment with forward direction of
roll.
The invention may be better understood by making reference to the
Figures as follow.
THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 illustrates a front side perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the walking skate of the present invention.
FIG. 1A illustrates a view as taken in partial cross-section
through the telescoping actuation shin lever shown in an in-part
side view illustrating the mechanism of initial assemblying
thereof.
FIG. 1B illustrates in a similar view as that of FIG. 1A,
appearance immediately after assemblage but still in the extended
telescoping state.
FIG. 2 illustrates a view in partial cross-section through a
partial structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and substantially an
elevation plan view of the remaining majority of the skate
mechanism as viewed along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a view in partial cross-section in side view of
the wheel and mounting structure as taken along lines 3--3 of FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view as taken through the
structure of FIG. 3 along lines 4--4 thereof.
FIG. 5 illustrates a substantially side cross-sectional in-part
view of the forward skate platform as taken along the line 5--5 of
the FIG. 2 illustration.
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken through the brake
structure of the second or intermediate pair of wheels and taken
along line 6--6 of the view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the roller skate as
illustrated in FIG. 2 and as taken along lines 7--7 thereof, except
illustrated in FIG. 7 in an arced position of pivoted hinge as
would occur during walking or skating.
FIG. 8 illustrates a view taken from the FIG. 2 illustration along
lines 8--8 thereof in an in-part perspective view of the clamp
mechanism for attaching the rearward platform to the person's
heel.
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the rail guide
structure of FIG. 8 as taken along lines 9--9 thereof, showing
thereby in substantially elevation plan view the detachably
lockable adjusting mechanism of the clamping structure for variably
adjusting the tightness of clamping, FIG. 10 showing the embodiment
of FIG. 9 in a twisted state of release at a moment of adjusting.
FIG. 11 illustrates a view as taken along lines 11--11 of FIG. 9 in
cross-section therethrough; along lines 12--12 of FIG. 11. The FIG.
12 illustrates a further cross-sectional view thereof. FIG. 13
illustration is an in-part cross-sectional and primarily elevation
plan view of the braking mechanism and lever in an in-part view
thereof, particularly as taken along lines 13--13 of FIG. 16 of the
same structure.
FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17 illustrate varying positions of the same
in-part view of the braking structure mechanism in elevation side
views thereof.
FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view in in-part view, of the
wheel-brake-clutch-front or forward platform structure embodiment
of FIG. 1 as taken along lines 18--18 thereof.
FIG. 19 illustrates an in-part cut-away view and in-part total view
of the embodiment of FIG. 18 along lines 19--19 thereof.
FIG. 20 illustrates an in-part perspective view of the teeth or
steps structures of the unidirectional slip-clutch illustrated in
FIGS. 18 and 19.
FIG. 21 illustrates a side top perspective view of a single
dismounted loop structure taken from its mounted state as shown in
FIGS. 18 and 19.
FIG. 22 illustrates a side cross-sectional view as taken through
the braking structure as illustrated in the embodiment view of FIG.
18, along lines 22--22 thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 show different views of
walking-skate 23 representing a combination of a plurality of
preferred features of the present invention. There is disclosed a
forward platform 24 and a rearward platform 25. The forward
platform 24 is supported on forward pivotable and trailing caster
wheels 26a and 26b mounted trailingly on the caster axle structures
26aa and 26bb respectively. The rearward portion of the forward
platform 24 is supported by large fixedly mounted wheels 27a and
27b respectively, and the rearward portion of the platform 25 is
supported on caster wheels 28a and 28b respectively. The forward
portion of the rearward platform 25 is mounted hingedly at hinge
structure 29a and 29b respectively inserted in a hinged manner
through the upright flanges 76a and 76b respectively, through
apertures 30a and 30b. The shin-actuatable brake levers 31a and 31b
respectively are telescoped by telescoping structure 32a, inlcuding
the circumscribingly encompassing structure 32a' shown in greater
detail in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1A, as holding biasingly inwardly toward
one-another spaced-apart prongs 31a having keyed ends 71a and 71a'
with a space therebetween resulting from the biasing effect of the
spreading member 72a of structure 31a' which is a shaft extending
further down and having an adjustment member 33a for determining
the extend which the shaft structure 31a' leans or tilts forwardly
or backwardly on the axis shaft 33a'. The continuing lever arm 31a"
is pivotably mounted on pivot pin 34a for that lever and
correspondingly the same for 31b" on pin 34b, such that lower on
the lever at mounting pin 62a, a mounted shaft 61a and the pin 62a
such as the shaft 61b, move rearwardly upon forward movement of the
lever 31a and lever 31b, respectively, and similarly such that the
pins 35a' and 35b' respectively move rearwardly to thereby move
pin-mounted wires or cords 35a and 35b rearwardly which thereby
moves rearwardly the structure 36a" secured at the head 36a as
shown in FIG. 1 for one of the wheels 27a. The rearward movement of
the structure 36aa results in the pivotal movement of the lever 37a
around its mounting pin 65, such that the braking element 38aa is
moved rearwardly, and the braking element 38a is moved forwardly in
slots respectively 38aa' and 38a' of structure 76a. Instead of
being moved in reaction to movement of the lever 35a, the pivoted
lever 37a may be also moved by movement of the actuator encased
within casing 42a bracketed by bracket 39a and continuing as cord
43a and also shown with its adjacent cord 43b from the opposite
side. The lever mounting structure 44 includes an appropriate
mounting structure 45, pivoted on pin 46 for the squeezing thereof
to press downwardly the actuator 47 against the reactor movable
portion 48, this handle being merely symbolic of conventional
squeeze-handle mechanisms, and including typically a pocket-clip
for suspending the same on the edge of the pocket, for example.
The caster wheels forwardly located, wheels 26a and 26b, have their
axes 49a and 49b mounted on opposite ends of the forward cross-bar
forward platform structure identified as bar 50 having its axis
mounting structures as female structures 50a and 50b. Depressor 51
of FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 receives a persons heel and includes at
opposite ends stepped portions 51a and 51b respectively mounted on
the hinge shafts 52a and 52b within apertures 53a and 53b
respectively of the forward portions of the rearward platform, such
that the depressor 51 is depressably receivable within the window
51'. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 show one of opposite rearward heel
position clamping strips 54a and 54b respectively, on each of
opposite sides, mounted on the terminal ends of outwardly extending
strips 55a and 55b respectively which are channeled within
parallel-railed structures 56a and 56b each having serially
arranged locking pin apertures 57a and 57b within which the
adjustably lockable structures 58a and 58b are mounted on the guide
railed structures 56a and 56b. The adjustable locking structure 58a
and 58b are mounted by set screws 59a and 59b. The upwardly
extending flange side walls of the rearward platform are identified
as 60a and 60b. Extending rearwardly to the rearward pivoted wheels
are locking structures 61a and 61b respectively mounted on pivot
pins 62a and 62b of the lever shaft 31a". The pin 34b is fixedly
secured to the lever shaft 31b" such that upon rotation thereof,
the pin 34b also rotates within its mounting aperture 64 and the
pin 34b is square headed with a flushly mounted link 63 pivotable
therewith and having pin 63b for mounting the shaft 61b. For the
brake levers 37a and 37b, the brake levers are pivotably mounted on
pin 65a and 65b through the upright support structures 76a and 76b
through apertures 65a and 65b. The rearward pivoted wheels 28a and
28b respectively are mounted between spaced apart prongs of
parallel support structure 70a and 70b each respectively, on wheel
axes 69a and 69b respectively, with the rearward platform rearward
wheel support structures identified as female structures 66a and
66b securably mounting the axes 67a and 67b, and having in a
forward face of each apertures 68a and 68b receivable respectively
of the terminal ends of the shafts 61a and 61b as a part of the
locking mechanism for the rearward castor wheels 28a and 28b.
For securing the forward portion of the forward platform to the
foot or shoe or boot of a person, there are provided closing
overlapable separate strips 74a and 74b typically having fabrics
which are self-engageable with one-another, such as conventional
loop and hook-type fabrics, which lockingly engage detachably upon
merely overlaping of one on the other. The respective wheels 27a
and 27b are mounted on wheel-support structures respectively 75a
and 75b secured to the upright forward platform side wall flange
structures 76a and 76b respectively. The flexible clamping strip
55a and strip 55b of the heel clamps are mounted on support beam
structures 77a and 77b respectively. A pivotable or flexible
locking key 78a and 78b respectively are fixedly mounted at the
upper end thereof under the rearward platform sidewall structures
60a and 60b respectively. Rearward movement of the lever shafts 79a
and 79b (see FIGS. 3-8) when biased rearwardly by pressure of the
braking mechanism presses rearwardly the distal pivotal ends of the
key structures 78a, 78b such that the keys 81a and 81b are pressed
rearwardly to the positions indicated in phantom 81'a for example.
The levers 79a and 79b respectively ride within channel structures
80a and 80b, overbraking rearwardly-releasing portions 51a and
51b.
The rearward caster wheels 28a and 28b of FIGS. 4 and 5 are
lockable of the axis structures 67a and 67b respectively by virtue
of pivotal structures 84a and 84b respectively being mounted as
spring-biased by springs 84a' and 84b' respectively and are
lockable into a fixed state in the inwardly biased positions 28a'
and 28b' respectively by virtue of the key lever shafts 61a and 61b
becoming engaged within the apertures 82a and 82b respectively.
Extending across as a bar structure between the rearward mounting
structures 66a and 66b is the bar 87, and forwardly thereof is
additional support bar 86. For illustrative purposes, in FIG. 3
there is shown the supporting surface 85.
FIG. 9 illustrates a view as an in-part view as taken along lines
9--9 of FIG. 8, substantially in elevation plan view relative to
the strip 55a and the clamping strip 54a mounted on the terminal
end thereof, and the other illustrated elements of the clamping
mechanism. In particualar, there is provided the parallel rail
structure 56a each of which has its through-space 58 ae and 58ae'
respectively, receivable of the inwardly-bent locking key-portion
58aa' with its tip 58ab' and opposingly the opposite lever portion
58aa key portion and its tip 58ab anchored to the central insert
56a' by the screw 59a and its nut 59a'. The opposite end of the key
portion 58a and key portion 58aa' are identified respectively as
58ad and 58ad', each of which is bent inwardly in order to bias
against the respective legs of the parallel structures 56a, as
compared to the lineally extending structures 58ac and 58ac' which
are in fact levers which upon depression thereof by twisting in a
counter-clockwise direction cause the terminal ends 58ab and 58ab'
respectively to become withdrawn from respective apertures 57 and
the spaces 58ae and 58ae' thereof.
FIG. 10 illustrates the appearance of the structure illustrated in
FIG. 9, during a state of depressing the lever portions 58ac and
58ac' such that the terminal ends 58ab and 58ab' are shown in the
withdrawn state thereby permitting upward and downward adjustment
of this entire structure around the central insert portion 56a'. It
is to be noted that as illustrated in each of FIGS. 9 and 10 the
central insert 56a' includes angularly and flattened surfaces at
each of opposite sides thereof serving to facilitate the ease of
twisting for release and adjustment. Further illustrating the
mechanism described above is the view of FIG. 11 as taken in
partial cross-section along the illustrated structure of FIG. 9 as
along lines 11--11 thereof. Also as a part of FIG. 11, there is
better illustrated the included phantom illustrated position of the
strip 54a and the mounting strip 55a relative to various clamp
positions of differing elevations along the strip 56a. The FIG. 10
illustrates by the direction-arrows 82 and 82' the directions of
twist in order to make possible the downward or upward adjustment
of the detachable locking structure thereof.
FIG. 12 illustrates a view as taken along lines 12--12 of FIG. 11,
illustrating the mechanism by which the leg structures 56a and 56a'
slidably but securably anchor relative position with the strip 55a.
FIG. 13 in an elevation plan view as taken along lines 13--13 of
subsequent FIG. 16, in an in-part view further illustrates elements
previously described, but this FIG. 13 further clarifies the
positions and relationships of one element to another. FIGS. 13
through 17 may be referred to for an understanding of the procedure
and mechanism of braking and the locking of the brake mechanism.
For further understanding, it may be mentioned however that the
toothed or roughened surface of the eccentric circular disk lever
33 is utilized for adjusting the degree of angular set-position of
the lever arm 31a' on its pivot 33a' relative to the lower lever
arm 31a" pivoted at its pivot pin 34a. The pivoted arm 85a on its
pivot pin 89a, has a concave forward face 87a and is spring-biased
by spring legs 84a and 84a' for opposingly biasing in opposite
directions against the side faces of the leg 83a pivoted on its pin
90a and having its leg 83a'. The notched portion of the leg 83a
engages with the correspondingly-shaped end portion of the magnet
leg 88ax, secured by screws and the entire magnet identified as
88a, and the edge face of the leg 83a' is flushly engageable with
the end-face of the magnet leg 88ay.
FIG. 13 is a view in cross-section through the lever arm 31a' of
FIG. 16 as taken along lines 13--13 thereof, the FIG. 13
illustrating primarily a top view of the previously discussed shaft
structure 31a', the adjustment member 33a, the axis shaft 33a', the
lever arm 31a", the pivotal structure 84a, the pivoted arm 85a, and
the entire magnet 88a. The rearward platform upwardly extending
flange wall 60a is also shown in a top view thereof.
With reference to FIGS. 14 through 17, other elements already
previously described are also shown with all views being in-part
elevation side views, the FIG. 16 being such a view as taken along
lines 16--16 of FIG. 13. The purpose of FIGS. 14 through 17 is to
illustrate in flow series the mechanism of operation of the above
described elements as illustrated in these FIGS. In particular, as
the lever arm 31a' moves rearwardly in the direction indicated in
FIG. 14, accordingly the lower lever arm 31a" also moves rearwardly
such that the pin 86a shown in all FIGS. 13 through 17 becomes
moved to a resting position as shown in FIG. 14 beneath the loosely
downwardly hanging pivoted arm 85a being supported at its rearward
end by the spring 84a, as well as possibly resting lightly on the
pin 86a itself. In the FIG. 14 view, the lever arm 31a" in the
illustrated position has pressed the lower end of the leg 83a'
rearwardly to the point that it becomes magnetically attracted by
and engaged with the magnet end 88ay, such pressing movement by the
leg 83a' causing the leg 83a to be raised upwardly and away from
the magnet end 88ax.
FIG. 15 illustrates the position of the respective lever arms 31a'
and 31a" after the lever 31a' has been pressed forwardly by the
pressure of a person's shin, for example, such that the pin 86a
temporarily has lifted the arm 85a as shown in phantom while pin
86a was moving to its FIG. 15 illustrated position beyond the end
of the pivoted arm 85a at which point the pivoted arm 85a drops
downwardly to its former position as illustrated in FIG. 14 except
that now rearward movement of the lever arm 31a" is blocked as
shown in FIG. 16 as the levers 31a' and 31a" attempt to move
rearwardly, at which point the pin 86a becomes engaged in the
concave face 87a as shown in each of FIGS. 14 and 15 and 17.
However, by virtue of the pin 86a of FIG. 16 becoming engaged
against the face 87a, the upper portion of the leg 83a' and upper
portion of the leg 83a' located above the pivot pin 90a becomes
pressed rearwardly by virtue of the pivot arm 85a being pivotably
mounted thereon by its pivot pin 89a, with the result of the
rearward pressure causing the leg 83a to move downwardly into
magnetic engagement with the magnet end 88ax. Because of the
magnetic engagement, as the levers 31a' and 31a" thereafter move
forwardly (toward the left of these Figures), the biasing action of
the spring 84a biased as shown in FIG. 16 causes the pivoted arm
85a to spring upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 17 from its
FIG. 17 phantom position as the rearward pressure of the pin 86a
against the face 87a is released by virtue of the forward movement
of the lever arms 31a' and 31a".
FIG. 18 illustrates an in-part and cross-sectional view of the
forward platform rearward wheel as taken along lines 18--18 of FIG.
1, and accordingly many of the parts previously identified in FIG.
1 and other prior discussed Figures are also shown on this Figure.
Each of FIGS. 19 through 22 should also be referred to in a
following of the discussion and description of FIG. 18, since all
of these Figures relate to various parts of the FIG. 18
illustration, the FIG. 19 being an in-part partial cut-away view as
taken along lines 19--19 of FIG. 18, and the FIG. 22 being a
cross-sectional side view as taken along lines 22--22 of FIG. 18.
In particular reference to these Figures, accordingly, with special
attention given to the more generic FIG. 18, there is disclosed the
spring 91 connected by loop 92 to an inward terminal end portion of
the brake band 94, at one end of the spring, and the other end of
the spring being connected to appropriate structure on the annular
slidably movable braking ring 93 which is caused to move in the
directions 100 by virtue of braking pressure applied by pin 38 a
within space of slot 38a' upon rearward movement of the lever 37a
around pin 65 and the forward movement of the portion 29a around
pivot pin 65 as the braking lever 35a moves rearwardly as a result
of forward movement of lever arm 31a' and 31a" as shown in FIG. 1.
As more clearly seen in FIG. 22, the brake band 94 is anchored at a
proximal end thereof by anchoring structures 95 and 95'
respectively for the bilateral brake bands 94 and 94'. The annular
link structure 93 has fixedly but pivotably engaged therewith a
substantially radially outwardly extending linking element 96 at a
radially inward end 97 thereof extending substantially radially
outwardly with the radially outwardly located end 98 thereof
fixedly and pivotably mounted on the innerface of the brake band
94, for example -- integral therewith in this example, and also the
end 97 being pivotably and fixedly mounted to the link structure
93. As illustrated in FIG. 22, extending through the central
portion of the linking element 96 is a through passage 99 which has
passing therethrough a shaft-end of the spring 91. When the linking
structure 93 moves in the direction 100, the linking element is
thereby moved to the phantom-illustrated position 101
substantially, thereby pressing the brake band radially outwardly
bringing about engagement of its outer face with the brake shoe
94a.
With particular reference to each of FIGS. 18, 19, 20, and 22,
there is illustrated the anchoring slip-clutch structure 102 having
peripherally outwardly located wheel-circumscribingly angularly
inclined stepped teeth 110 arranged serially peripherally around
the outer circumscribing surface, with the FIG. 21
annular-ring-like structures 11 having a sturdy and massive end
portion 111' with anchor pins 112 and 112' anchored as shown in
FIG. 19 within the apertures 112a of the wheel-rotatable
outer-annular ring-like structure 112b.
As the wheel as shown in FIG. 19 moves in direction 113,
representing forward roll of the wheel, the annular ring-like
structures 111 and the end 111' thereof from their inwardly biased
state slide non-engagingly over the surfaces of the stepped teeth
110. As the speed of the wheel moving in direction 113 increases,
centrifugal action-force causes the annular ring-like loop
structures 111 and their massive ends 111' thereof to move
outwardly into non-contacting positions away from and relative to
the stepped teeth 110, whereby there is no friction nor wear on
either the stepped teeth or the ring-like loop stuctures 111 and
the 111' ends thereof. However, when the wheel as shown in FIG. 19
attempts to move in a counter-clockwise direction, the one or more
annular ring-like structures 111 become engagingly looped around
one or more of the stepped teeth as shown in FIG. 20. As
illustrated in FIG. 19, the number of loops 111 exceed the number
of stepped teeth 110, resulting and positioned in an overlapping
relationship to bring about prompt and substantially instantaneous
engaging of and locking onto one or more of the teeth irrespective
of the wheel position relative to the various stepped teeth, in a
preferred embodiment at least one looped element or annular ring
structure 111 on each of opposite radially outward sides of the
wheel becoming engaged simultaneously for the best mode of
operation. With regard to and making further reference to the
functioning of the brake band 94 and 94', when the annular link
structure 93 is rotated in direction 100, as a result of the spring
such as spring 91 and 91', the terminal ends of the brake bands 94
and 94' become pulled toward the base mounting structures 95 and
95' respectively, resulting for each in a restraining force which
results in more effective braking as well as braking frictional
contact first occuring at positions closest to the anchoring
structures 95 and 95' respectively as the linking element 96 moves
in its braking direction.
It should be further noted that after the annular link structure 93
moves a predetermined distance rotatably, it becomes locked in the
position illustrated in the 101 phantom position at which position
there is in effect overbraking at which braking pressure is
slightly released. The overbraking position of position 101 serves
the purpose as illustrated in FIG. 1 and also in the discussed
FIGS. 14 through 17 of permitting the lever arms 31a' and 31a" to
be moved further forward beyond the maximum braking action position
such that the pivoted arm 85a may be made to spring upwardly in
release from its FIG. 15 position and FIG. 16 position in
particular, to its FIG. 17 position.
It is within the scope of the present invention to make such
modifications and variations and substitution of equivalents as
would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill.
* * * * *