Road Roller Skates

Abstract

The invention relates to road roller skates for travelling on average quality roads, comprised of a semi-rigid high-top-shoe (3) fixed to a supporting sole (4) at a height of 50 mm above the ground and fitted with angle brackets (4b and 4c) to which the rotation axis of a front wheel (1) is fixed, this front wheel having a large diameter (150 to 300 mm) and being situated to the outside of the foot next to the toe joints, and to which the rotation axis of a rear wheel (2) is fixed, this rear wheel having a medium diameter (100 to 150 mm) and being situated to the inside of the foot next to the heel. The large diameter of the wheels makes it possible to handle defects in the terrain. This arrangement confers its stability to the skate, and front and rear rubber blocks (6, 5) placed under the sole (4) can be pressed against the ground by rotating the knees. Optionally, the front wheel (1) can be slightly tilted underneath the sole (4), the assembly can be adapted to a purchased in-line skate whose wheels have been removed, the characteristics of the diameter and material of the wheels being adjustable.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates to a light device attached to the foot of an individual, conceived to enable him to roll on a dedicated track as well as on an average quality road.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0002]This sort of movement is traditionally and mostly carried out using roller skates equipped with four small wheels placed under a sole, or using in line skates equipped with several small wheels (generally four or five) aligned under the sole, and in its axis.[0003]The main disadvantage of these devices is that their use is reasonably limited to a smooth, hard surface without gravels, therefore on special tracks or on particularly well maintained roads.[0004]Their ability to roll on ordinary roads with a rough surface therefore isn't satisfactory.[0005]Another disadvantage resides in the difficulty of learning the technique and in the impractical hold or stop position on these types of skates. As a matter of fact, there is no truly practical system ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The axis of the tread is therefore about 40 mm away from the geometrical axis of the foot. The rear wheel (2) will in the same way be moved the closest possible to the outside plane of the shoe. The goal of this layout being to limit contact of the overall device with the ground and to avoid contact with the other foot or with outside elements, but above all to bring the axis joining the two points of contact of the wheels with the ground as close as possible to the projection of the reaction points of the foot in the shoe on the ground but always on the same side in order to avoid effects of sideway swaying stress on the ankle as well as being in a momentarily unstable position during the pushing movement.

[0018]Seen from above, the position of the axes of the front (1c) and rear (2c) wheels in relation to the length of the sole (4) of the shoe (3) are situated inside the imprint of this sole, at the level of the heel for the rear wheel and of the foot and toes junction for the front wheel. This layout of the axes on the inside of the imprint allows an easy movement when switching the foot from the pushing function to the carrying function. This would require a much more considerable effort is the wheels were placed well in front of and well behind the sole.

[0019]The dimensions of the two wheels and the type of tread allow an efficient use of the skates even on a rough road. The choice of these dimensions depends on the type of road, on the type of ride carried out and on the shoe size of the skater. In principle this choice can be made at purchase, or following a sixth feature, it can be made later on by changing the wheels. A provision to adapt two consecutive wheel diameters can be anticipated on pieces (4b), and (4c) of the sole / board (4). The large diameter of the front wheel and the elasticity of the tread lead to a remarkable rolling capacity that limits energy losses, and allow to swallow obstacles (gravels, small holes) without a shock effect or a sharp slow down that could cause an imbalance of the skater towards the front, and without any feeling of uncomfortable vibrations. The rear wheel with a large diameter has the same advantages, and in the case of a smaller diameter, it would in theory swallow the obstacles less efficiently, but, the effect of the beginning of an eventual imbalance of the skater towards the front would automatically “release” the weight applied on the rear wheel and therefore reduce its slowing down effect.

[0022]According to a fourth feature, the rotation axis of the front wheel (1c) can be tilted in relation to the plane of the sole (4) to move the contact point of the skate and the ground closer to the axis of the foot and free the top part of the shoe. Generally, the angle of this inclination won't exceed 10° to limit the rotation effect generated toward the outside of the foot.

Problems solved by technology

The main disadvantage of these devices is that their use is reasonably limited to a smooth, hard surface without gravels, therefore on special tracks or on particularly well maintained roads.

Their ability to roll on ordinary roads with a rough surface therefore isn't satisfactory.

Another disadvantage resides in the difficulty of learning the technique and in the impractical hold or stop position on these types of skates.

As a matter of fact, there is no truly practical system to keep a stable stop position, to get back into the right trajectory or to slow down.

In a more limited extend, other types of roller skates with, for example, medium sized wheels having in some instances their axes moved on top of the sole for four-wheeled skates (the wheels are therefore outside the sole's imprint), or for in line skates the use of only two medium size wheels, one in front of and the other one behind the sole, create harder steering that considerably limits the performances.

In the same way, the use of two medium size wheels on the same side of the skate with a vertical rotation plane, or even with a rotation plane inclined in order to bring the contact zone of the roller with the ground doser to the main axis under the sole, has the disadvantage either of putting the reaction of the skate out of the ankle's axis, or of causing a rotation movement of the skate towards the outside of the trajectory and a rapid wearing of the wheels.

Images