ROLLBRETT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a skateboard with an elongated footboard, essentially rigid outriggers provided at the front and rear ends of the footboard, and axles equipped with rollers arranged on the outriggers, which are steerably attached to the footboard, wherein a steering movement can be transmitted to the axles by lateral weight shifting by the person standing on the footboard.

[0002] Well-known skateboards of this type are categorized as "skateboards". Skateboards have axles at the front and rear, each with two wheels on either side. Riders can propel themselves by pushing off the ground with one leg or by using a special technique involving alternating pressure from both feet towards the outside of the skateboard through weight shifting.

[0003] For example, German patent DE 20 2010 010 576 U1 discloses a skateboard which, due to its material properties and the shape of its standing surface, can be specifically designed to allow deformation that, when weight is shifted, directly leads to a steering movement of the wheel axles attached to the standing surface. However, the steering capability of this design is severely limited.

[0004] From DE 10 2010 034 908 A1, another skateboard is known which already features a flexible steering mechanism for the axles. The restoring force, which returns the axles to the center position after steering, is provided by a metal torsion spring, one leg of which is rigidly connected to the deck, while the other leg acts on the respective axle. However, such a mechanism is relatively complex in design and stiff in its operation.

[0005] Furthermore, a rollerboard of the aforementioned type is known from US Patent 2016 / 0107070 A1. This rollerboard has two outriggers at both the front and rear ends of the footboard, connected at their ends furthest from the footboard by a base. The base supports the respective roller and is equipped with a control mechanism for that roller. The rollers do not have a hub as defined in the application; instead, the base at the ends of the outriggers engages off-center in circumferential guide grooves formed on the circumference of each roller's rim. This results in an off-center mounting of the rollers, which is not comparable to the application. This mounting is relatively complex and prone to failure.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a rolling board in the style of a skateboard, which enables improved steering and easier operation with very simple means.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by: that a forward-facing and a rearward-facing extension is provided at the front and rear ends of the running board, that a support arm pointing towards the central axis of the running board is rigidly attached to each extension, that a hub is provided on each support arm which is pivotable to both sides about a pivot axis inclined at 40° to 50°, preferably about 45°, to the plane of the running board in the direction of travel, and that the axle of the respective single running wheel is rotatably mounted in or on each hub, the pivot joint being located inside the respective running wheel.

[0008] The new steering mechanism allows the skateboard according to the invention, which differs significantly from known skateboards, to be steered very easily by shifting one's weight. Both the rear and front wheels pivot to the side that is pressed downwards by the user's weight shift. Furthermore, the two wheels, positioned in front of and behind the footboard and capable of having a relatively large diameter, allow for a comfortable ride, ensuring good handling even on rough surfaces and when encountering small obstacles.

[0009] The essentially rigid outriggers, which are attached in front of the front and behind the rear end of the running board, are expediently arranged on the same side of the running board.

[0010] Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the angle of the outriggers in the vertical plane relative to the plane of the running board, so that the height of the running board above the ground as well as the driving behavior of the skateboard can be influenced.

[0011] The caster wheels located at the front and rear of the footboard can not only have a relatively large diameter, but are also conveniently designed to be relatively wide, approximately as wide as the footboard itself, thus ensuring safe and comfortable handling. When the user shifts their weight, the outer edges of the casters act as levers, steering the skateboard in the desired direction.

[0012] The hub provided on each support arm, which serves to support the respective roller, can be hollow.

[0013] In a first embodiment, the support arms are fork-shaped, with receiving bores provided at the ends of the fork arms, while pins are formed on the inside of the hollow hubs that engage in the receiving bores of the fork ends. The axles of the rollers are mounted on the hubs. Alternatively, the pins can, of course, be provided at the ends of the fork arms, with receiving bores formed on the inside of the hollow hubs into which the pins of the fork ends engage.

[0014] In another embodiment, the fork-shaped support arms can have receiving bores at the fork ends, while pins are provided on the outside of the hubs that engage in the receiving bores of the fork ends. The axles of the rollers can be mounted in the hubs. In this embodiment as well, the pins and the receiving bores can be interchanged.

[0015] In another embodiment, a steering head offset by approximately 45° relative to the running board plane can be provided on the outside of each axle, with the steering heads being pivotably connected to the support arm.

[0016] In another embodiment, the end of the support arm can be designed as a ring that engages a transverse pin provided inside the hub.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a rolling bearing can be articulated to each support arm, wherein the inner ring of the rolling bearing is pivotably connected to the support arm and forms the stationary hub, while the outer ring of the rolling bearing serves as the rotating axis of the roller.

[0018] In the last-mentioned embodiment, a transverse pin is expediently attached to each support arm, which pivotably engages in radially opposite bores of the inner ring of the rolling bearing.

[0019] Ball bearings are preferably used as rolling bearings.

[0020] All embodiments of the skateboard according to the invention can be provided at the front end of the footboard with a vertical, removable handgrip, which ensures greater safety and comfort while riding.

[0021] A motor can be located inside at least one of the rollers, the output shaft of which drives the roller's axle. The motor can be operated via a remote control or a control located on the handle.

[0022] The invention is illustrated by way of example in the drawing and described in detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1: a perspective, schematic representation of the skateboard according to the invention, Fig. 2: an enlarged perspective view of the skateboard with the footboard tilted, Figs. 3 and 4: a first embodiment for the pivotable suspension of the hub, Fig. 5: the embodiment according to Figs. 3 and 4In schematic representation, Fig. 6: a second alternative embodiment for the pivotable suspension of the hub, Figs. 7 and 8: a third embodiment for the pivotable suspension of the hub, Figs. 9 and 10: a fourth embodiment for the pivotable suspension of the hub, Figs. 11 and 12: a fifth embodiment for the pivotable suspension of the hub, Figs. 13 and 14: a sixth embodiment with a pivotable suspension of the hub in the form of a ball bearing, Fig. 15: an embodiment of a motor drive, Fig. 16: for the skateboard and a further embodiment of a motor drive.

[0023] After Fig. 1 and 2 The drawing shows that the skateboard according to the invention consists of an elongated footboard 1 and rollers 2 arranged in front of and behind its front and rear ends, respectively. 3.

[0024] For mounting and supporting the rollers 2 and 3, a forward-facing and a rearward-facing, essentially rigid outrigger 4 or 5 is arranged at the front and rear ends, respectively. A support arm 6 or 7, pointing towards the central axis of the footboard 1, is rigidly attached to each outrigger 4 or 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the outriggers 4 and 5 are arranged on the same side of the footboard.

[0025] Each of the two support arms 6 or 7 has a hub 8 which can be pivoted to both sides about a pivot axis 19 inclined at approximately 45° to the plane of the running board 1 in the direction of travel, as shown in Fig. 2 schematically represented. The hub 8 is connected to the respective support arm 6 or 7 via a pivot joint 9 such that it can pivot in both directions to the plane of the footboard 1 by approximately 25°.

[0026] As further from Fig. 1As can be seen, a roughly vertical handrail 10, extending to the waist height of the person standing on the footrail 1, can be provided at the front end of the footboard 1. This handrail can be optionally attached to or removed from the footboard 1. The installation of the handrail 10 may, under certain circumstances, result in safer and more comfortable driving for the operator.

[0027] As from Fig. 1 and 2As further shown, only a single roller 2 and 3, respectively, is provided at the front and rear ends of the footboard 1. These rollers are relatively wide and preferably approximately the width of the footboard 1. The rollers 2 and 3 are expediently cylindrical, although deviations are possible; for example, a slightly convex shape or a shape flattened towards the edges can also be chosen. The arms 4 and 5 are essentially rigidly attached to the footboard 1, with a slight pivoting movement only possible due to the elasticity of the material. However, it is possible to adjust the angle of the two arms 4 and 5 in the vertical plane relative to the plane of the footboard 1, thus changing the height of the footboard 1 relative to the rollers 2 and 3.

[0028] As especially from Fig. 2As can be seen, a lateral shift of weight by a person standing on the footboard in the direction of arrow 11 can transmit a steering movement to the axles of the running wheels 2 and 3. If the footboard tilts to the left, as shown in Fig. 2 As shown, the front roller 2 also pivots to the left and the rear roller 3 to the right, so that the skateboard makes a left turn.

[0029] The following figures illustrate various embodiments of the pivot joints 9 between the support arms 6 or 7 and the respective hub 8.

[0030] In Figs. 3 and 4Figure 1 shows the front end of the footboard 1, to which the boom 4 is rigidly attached. A forked support arm 12 is rigidly attached to the free end of the boom 4, and receiving bores 14 are formed at the ends 13 of the fork. The two ends 13 of the support arm 12 overlap a hollow hub 15, on the outer circumference of which pins 16 are formed on opposite sides, engaging in the receiving bores of the fork ends 13. The axle 17 of the roller 2 is mounted inside the hollow hub 15. The axle 17 is connected to the roller 2 via several struts 18 distributed around the circumference.

[0031] The fork-shaped support arm 12, which is rigidly attached to the boom 4, is arranged such that a plane passing through the fork ends 13 is inclined at approximately 45° to the horizontal.

[0032] If, therefore, the footboard 1, as in Fig. 2As shown, when tilted to the left, the hub 15, which is pivotally attached to the fork-shaped support arm 12, also rotates slightly to the left and takes the axle 17 and thus the roller 2 with it.

[0033] In Fig. 5 The steering mechanism of the exemplary embodiment is according to Figs. 3 and 4 The diagram is shown schematically once again. It is clearly visible that the pivot axis 19, which runs in the direction of the pins 16, is inclined at approximately 45° to the vertical or horizontal.

[0034] On the right side of the Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the interior of the pivot joint in the direction of arrow V, clearly showing that the fork-shaped support arm 12 overlaps the hollow hub 15 and that the hub 15 is pivotably mounted between the fork ends 13 via the pins 16 passing through the receiving bores 14.

[0035] In Fig. 6 is an analogous steering mechanism to the embodiment shown in the Fig. 5 shown. The difference to the version according to Fig. 5 The design consists of the fork ends 13 engaging in the interior of the hollow hub 15 and creating a pivotable connection between the fork-shaped support arm 12 and the hub 15 via the pins 16.

[0036] The axle 17 of the roller 2 is in this case mounted on the outer circumference of the hub 15 and is connected to the roller 2 via struts 18. On the right side of the Fig. 6 Figure 2 shows a view of the central area of ​​roller 2 in the direction of arrow VI.

[0037] In Figs. 7 and 8Figure 1 shows another embodiment of the swivel joint of the roller 2. In this embodiment, a steering head 20 is provided on the outside of the hollow hub 15, which is offset by approximately 45° relative to the footboard plane. The steering head 20 is pivotably connected to the support arm 6, which is rigidly arranged on the boom 4, via a joint 21. The axle 17 of the roller 2 is mounted within the hollow hub 15, with the axle 17 being connected to the roller 2 via struts 18.

[0038] In Figs. 9 and 10 Figure 1 shows another embodiment of the pivot joint at the front roller 2. The roller 2 is mounted on the boom 4 and the support arm 6. The support arm 6 has a ring 22 at its end located inside the roller 2, which surrounds a bearing pin 23 extending transversely through the hub 15. A sliding sleeve 24 is located between the ring 22 and the bearing pin 23.

[0039] The axle 17 of the roller 2 is rotatably mounted on the hub 15 and is connected to the roller 2 via struts 18. The bearing pin 23 is inclined at approximately 45° to the plane of the footboard 1.

[0040] Figs. 11 and 12 shows a further embodiment of the invention, which is in principle similar to the embodiment according to Figs. 9 and 10 is very similar.

[0041] In this embodiment, the support arm 6, which is attached to the boom 4, has a transverse pin 25 at its end located inside the roller 2. This transverse pin 25 is fixedly connected to the support arm and is inclined at approximately 45° to the plane of the footplate 1. This transverse pin 25 serves as a pivot axis for the hub 15. The pivotability is achieved by the transverse pin 25 engaging in corresponding bearing bores provided in the inner wall of the hub 15.

[0042] The axle 17 of the roller is rotatably mounted on the hub 15 and connected to the roller 2 via struts 18.

[0043] In Fig. 13 and 14 Another embodiment of the invention is shown, in this case the pivot joint is constructed using a ball bearing 26, wherein the ball bearing 26 has an outer ring 27, an inner ring 28 and a plurality of balls 29 between the two rings.

[0044] The inner ring 28 is articulated to the support arm 6 of the boom 4 via a transverse pin 25. The transverse pin 25 is in turn inclined at approximately 45° relative to the plane of the footplate 1 and pivotably connects the inner ring 28 of the ball bearing 26 to the support arm 6.

[0045] In this case, the inner ring 28 of the ball bearing 26 forms the stationary hub, while the outer ring 27 serves as the rotating axle of the roller 2. The outer ring 27 is connected to the roller 2 via struts 18.

[0046] In Figs. 15 and 16 Two exemplary embodiments for a drive of the roller 2 or 3 are shown. In the one described in Fig. 15 In the illustrated embodiment, a battery-driven motor 30 is provided as the drive, which is rigidly connected to the inner ring 28 of the ball bearing 26 via a fastening element 31. The output shaft 32 of the motor 30 sets the roller 2 or 3 in motion via a connecting element 33 arranged rigidly between the output shaft 32 and the roller 2 or 3.

[0047] In Fig. 16 The motor 30 is rigidly connected to the inner ring 28 of the ball bearing 26 via a connecting element 34. A pinion 35 is mounted on the output shaft 32 of the motor 30, which meshes with an internal gear 36. The internal gear 36 is rigidly connected to the roller 2 or 3 via struts 18.

[0048] The motor is operated via a remote control (not shown in the drawing) or a switch provided on the handle 10.

[0049] The engine operation is not limited to the in Figs. 15 and 16 The illustrated embodiment is limited by means of ball bearing 26. The motor operation can also be used in all other embodiments described above, wherein the motor 30 drives the correspondingly provided axle of the roller 2 or 3.

Claims

1. Skateboard, comprising an elongate deck (1), substantially rigid trucks (4, 5) provided at the front and rear ends of the deck, as well as axles disposed on the trucks (4, 5) and provided with wheels (2, 3), which axles are steerably fixed to the deck (1), wherein a steering movement can be transmitted to the axles by a person standing on the deck (1) by shifting her weight sideways, characterized in - that one forward-facing and one rearward-facing truck (4 and 5) are provided on the front and on the rear end of the deck (1), respectively; - that a support arm (6, 7) pointing toward the central axis of the deck (1) is rigidly fixed to each truck (4, 5), - that a hub (8; 15) is provided on each support arm (5, 6; 12), which can be pivoted to both sides around a pivot axis (19) inclined by 40° to 50°, preferably 45°, relative to the plane of the deck (1) in the direction of travel and - that the axle (17) of each respective single wheel (2; 3) is rotatably supported in or on each hub (8; 15), wherein the swivel joint (9) is located in the interior of the respective wheel (2; 3).

2. Skateboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the substantially rigid trucks (4, 5) are arranged on the same side of the deck (1).

3. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle of the truck (4, 5) is adjustable in the vertical plane relative to the plane of the deck (1).

4. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wheel (2; 3) provided at the front and rear ends of the deck (1) is about as wide as the deck (1).

5. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hubs (8; 15) are of hollow design.

6. Skateboard according to claim 5, characterized in - that the support arms (6, 7) are fork-shaped; - that receiving bores (14) are provided at the fork ends of the support arms (6, 7; 12), - that on the inside of the hollow hubs (8; 15) pins (16) are formed that engage into the receiving bores (14) of the fork ends and - that the axles (17) of the wheels (2, 3) are supported on the hubs (8; 15).

7. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in - that the support arms (6, 7; 12) are designed in a fork-like manner; - that receiving bores (14) are provided at the fork ends (13) of the support arms (6, 7; 12), - that on the outside of the hubs (8; 15) pins (16) are formed that engage into the receiving bores (14) of the fork ends and - that the axles (17) of the wheels (2, 3) are supported in the hubs (8; 15).

8. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in - that one steering head (20) each is provided on the outside of the axles (17) in a manner displaced by approximately 45° relative to the deck plane and - that the steering heads (20) are pivotally connected to the support arm (6).

9. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end of the support arm (6, 7) is formed as a ring (22) that engages around a cross pin (23) arranged in the interior of the hub (15).

10. Skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a roller bearing is articulated to each support arm (6; 7), wherein the inner ring (28) of the roller bearing is pivotally connected to the support arm (6; 7) and forms the fixed hub, whereas the outer ring (27) of the roller bearing serves as a rotating axle of the wheel (2; 3).

11. Skateboard according to claim 10, characterized in that a cross pin (25) is fixed to the support arm (6) which pivotally engages into radially opposite bores of the inner ring (28) of the roller bearing.

12. Skateboard according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a ball bearing (26) is provided as a roller bearing.

13. Skateboard according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a vertical grab handle (10), which is detachably fixed, is provided at the front end of the deck (1).

14. Skateboard according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a motor (30) is arranged in the interior of the wheel (2; 3) the output shaft (32) of which drives the axle of the wheel (2; 3).

15. Skateboard according to claim 14, characterized in that the motor (30) can be actuated via a remote control or a controller provided on the grab handle (10).