EQUIPMENT FOR SPORT AND / OR PLAY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for sport and / or play, in particular a sports and / or play device for practicing roller sports activities.

[0002] Roller sports such as roller hockey or figure skating evolved from sports originally practiced only in winter, such as ice hockey, roller skating, or figure skating (see, for example, US 6425587 B1, JPH0919529 A, US 5398949 A). Appropriate training equipment, such as roller skates or inline skates, was developed for these summer-based roller sports. This equipment enjoys widespread popularity not only in sports but also in recreational activities.

[0003] Furthermore, summer training equipment has also been developed for the classic winter sport of cross-country skiing. For example, roller skis or ski rollers exist, as disclosed in DE 198 394 17 A1 and DE 20 2015 105 891 U1. Additionally, aids have been developed for ski touring, as shown, for example, in US2017 / 113119A1.

[0004] Many sports and play equipment used for wheeled sports require a smooth, preferably paved, surface for movement. Using them on planted areas, such as grass, would cause the plants to wrap around the wheels. Similarly, use on stony ground is not possible due to the high risk of falling. The same applies to surfaces contaminated with leaves, branches, or similar debris. Manhole covers and bitumen embedded in the road surface also pose a risk of falling.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for sport and / or play, in particular a sports and / or play device for performing roller sports activities, with which it is possible to move safely even on uneven surfaces, such as grass or stony ground.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device for sport and / or play according to claim 1.

[0007] A binding device, as used here, is understood to be a device that enables a secure connection between the user and the equipment used for sports and / or games. An example of a binding device might include a receptacle into which a user's shoe can be attached. Alternatively, the binding device might already include a shoe into which the user can slip their foot.

[0008] Preferably, the closed belt tightly encircles at least two rollers, which function as guide rollers and typically have a cylindrical shape with a running surface. In this arrangement, the belt encircling the guide rollers is driven, which in turn drives the guide rollers. The guide rollers are therefore free-running and not self-driven. The belt is driven, for example, by a deliberate sliding motion from the user. The rollers can rotate in two directions, allowing the belt to move clockwise and counterclockwise. This enables the user to move forward and backward.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing a sports or play device that, like a tracked or crawler vehicle, is equipped with a track or belt and rollers. The use of a running gear comprising a circulating belt with rotating rollers has the advantage over simple wheels that the chassis is suitable for off-road use and exhibits good tracking. The sports or play device thus equipped can therefore also be used on uneven surfaces, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of falls.

[0010] It is advantageous that the at least two rollers have the same diameter, so that a flat surface is formed both on the top of the chassis, where the binding device is located, and on the underside of the chassis, which rests on the ground. This increases the stability of the chassis and thus the stability of the sports and / or play equipment, and also the smooth running of the chassis, since the at least two rollers can be rotated at the same angular velocity by means of the driven belt.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of rollers are arranged in series, each having an axis of rotation, the axes of rotation being aligned parallel to one another, with the belt encompassing the plurality of rollers arranged in series. Here, too, it is particularly advantageous that the belt tightly encircles the plurality of rollers arranged in series. The more rollers are provided, the greater the stability, sturdiness, and tracking of the device for sports and / or games.

[0012] Preferably, the individual rollers of the multiple rollers arranged in series also have the same diameter, so that the underside and the top of the chassis are flat. This allows for gliding and makes it possible to achieve driving characteristics comparable to classic cross-country skis on bare pavement.

[0013] It is preferably provided that the multitude of rollers are arranged in multiple rows, preferably in two rows, with at least two rollers being arranged one behind the other in each row.

[0014] It is advantageous to have a stabilizing roller between two adjacent rollers. The stabilizing roller has an axis of rotation that is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least two rollers, and its diameter is smaller than the diameter of the two adjacent rollers. The axis of rotation of the stabilizing roller can lie outside, and in particular below, a plane defined by the two axes of rotation of the two adjacent rollers. If more than two adjacent rollers are present in the chassis, several stabilizing rollers can be provided, each arranged between two adjacent rollers. Particularly when more than two rollers are arranged in series, the stabilizing roller ensures that the device for sports and / or games has good off-road capability and a stable footing.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, one or all of the chassis wheels are spring-mounted. However, particularly when using the device for sports and / or games on uneven surfaces, this can cause the chassis wheels to vibrate undesirably. To avoid these unwanted vibrations on uneven surfaces, it is particularly advantageous to provide a shock absorber on at least one wheel or to provide a common shock absorber for all chassis wheels. This allows the user to move more comfortably on uneven surfaces.

[0016] In cases where the device for sports and / or games, such as in classic cross-country skiing, is intended to move only forwards and backward movement is undesirable, a reverse lock is preferably provided. The reverse lock ensures that the at least two rollers rotate only in one direction, namely forwards.

[0017] As described above, in a preferred embodiment the belt is positioned close to the at least two rollers. By driving the belt, the at least two rollers are also driven. If the closed, circulating belt is in contact with the rollers with excessive or insufficient tension, it is advantageous to provide a tensioning device for the closed belt. In a preferred embodiment of such a tensioning device, the position of at least one roller is horizontally adjustable.

[0018] If the at least two rollers are each essentially cylindrical with a flat running surface, there is a risk that the belt will shift axially between the rollers. To prevent the belt from sliding laterally off the rollers, i.e., axially, it is advantageous for at least one roller, particularly a cylindrical roller, to have a rim at each of its ends that extends along the circumference of the roller and projects radially outwards. The height of the rim is dimensioned such that the belt is guided between the rims but projects beyond them radially, allowing the belt to remain in contact with the substrate.

[0019] The edge can be part of the running surface, so that a groove is created on the running surface of at least one roller, in which the belt can be guided.

[0020] Alternatively, the edge can be formed by a disc that is attached to the end face of the roller and whose diameter is larger than that of the roller.

[0021] In a training course where a large number of rolls are used, it is advantageous for the large number of rolls to have edges, whereby the height of the edge should be chosen for all rolls so that the edge does not protrude beyond the belt in the radial direction of the roll.

[0022] In order to use the device for sport and / or play in the sense of a cross-country ski, the binding device is pivotally attached to the top of the housing by means of a swiveling device such as a joint connection.

[0023] Preferably, the pivot axis of the pivoting device is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the rollers, with the pivoting device being provided in particular at the front in the direction of travel and thus in the front section of the housing.

[0024] Additionally, a locking element for the binding device can be provided, so that the binding device is immovably connected to the housing. The locking element is preferably located at the rear in the direction of travel and thus in the rear section of the housing. In this embodiment, the device is versatile for use in sports and / or games. For example, the device can be used for sports and / or games both as a classic cross-country ski and as a classic downhill ski on snow-free terrain.

[0025] Because the binding device is pivotally attached to the top of the housing, and in order to limit the deflection movement of the foot relative to the device for sports and / or games, it is advantageous to have a stroke limiting element between the housing and the binding device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the binding device has a binding plate, the binding plate being pivotably attached to the top of the housing. For use of the device for sport and / or play, such as cross-country skiing, it is advantageous that a pivoting device is provided for pivotally attaching the binding plate to the top of the housing, the pivot axis of which is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the rollers, and in particular, the pivoting device is located at the front in the direction of travel and thus in the front section of the housing.

[0027] The binding plate ensures a stable stance for the user on the housing or chassis.

[0028] For speed control when using the device for sports and / or games, it is advantageous to have a braking device. For example, the braking device can be mechanically operated and include a brake lever, brake shoes, and a pulley that interacts with at least one roller. The pulley can be a cable or Bowden cable. This pulls a brake lever upwards, causing the brake shoes to slow the rollers. Alternatively, the braking device can be electronically operated and, in particular, remotely controlled.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the closed band is a rubber chain, so that the sports and / or play device does not leave any damage on the surface on which it is used.

[0030] Preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1 a side view of the device for sport and / or play, Fig. 2 the chassis of the device for sport and / or play, Fig. 3 a braking device of the device for sport and / or play and Fig. 4 a cross-section through the device for sport and / or play.

[0031] Fig. 1 Figure 10 shows a device for sport and / or play, comprising a housing 12, a chassis 14 with five identical rollers 16, a closed belt 18 in the form of a rubber track, and a binding device 20. The housing 12 has a top 22 and two sides 24, so that the housing 12 has a U-shaped cross-section (see Figure 1). Fig. 4 The housing 12 is open at its end faces, but can also be closed.

[0032] The five rollers 16 arranged in series have a cylindrical base shape with a running surface and each has a pivot axis 26, the pivot axes 26 of the rollers 16 being aligned parallel to each other. The closed belt 16 tightly encloses the five rollers 16 arranged in series. Each roller 16 has a physical axle in the form of a pin 27 (see Fig. 4 The five rollers 16 and the belt 18 are thus part of the chassis 14 in the form of a track or caterpillar (see Fig. 2 ).

[0033] As particularly in Fig. 2As can be seen, a stabilizing roller 28 is provided between each pair of adjacent rollers 16, the diameter of the stabilizing roller 28 being smaller than the diameter of the two adjacent rollers 16. The stabilizing rollers 28 each have a pivot axis 30, the pivot axis 30 of the stabilizing rollers 28 being arranged below the pivot axes 26 of the rollers 16 and aligned parallel to the pivot axes 26 of the rollers 16.

[0034] The housing 12 has 24 vertically oriented recesses 32 on both sides, through which the pins 27 of the rollers 16 engage. The rollers 16 are arranged at least partially within the housing 12 and are rotatably mounted on the housing 12. The recesses 32 are designed as slots open at the bottom, so that the housing 12 can be placed over the pins 27 of the rollers 16 from above.

[0035] Although not shown, the pins 27 are fitted with appropriate bearings such as ball bearings, on which the housing 12 rests, so that the pins 27 can rotate with low friction.

[0036] One of the recesses 32 on the housing 12 includes a horizontal slot-like opening 34. The slot-like opening 34 is part of a tensioning device for the belt 18. With the aid of the slot-like opening 34, the distance between two adjacent rollers 16 can be changed, thereby adjusting the belt tension of the belt 18.

[0037] Furthermore, a braking device 36 is provided. The braking device 36 comprises a brake lever 38 and brake shoes 40. The brake shoes 40 are located inside the housing 12 and interact with the running surfaces of the rollers 16. The brake lever 38 is positioned on the outside of the side wall 24 of the housing 12. The brake shoes 40 and the brake lever 38 are connected to each other, with the brake shoes 40 being pivotably mounted about a pivot axis 41. Although not shown, the braking device 36 includes a pulling element, for example a cable, so that the brake lever 38 can be actuated by means of a cable pull.

[0038] The binding 20 is located on the top 22 of the housing 12 and includes a binding plate 42 and shoe retention elements in the form of straps 44.

[0039] The binding plate 42, for example, is a metal or plastic plate. The binding plate 42 has a front surface against which the user's toe rests during operation. The front surface of the binding plate 42 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 by means of a hinge 46.

[0040] A stroke limiter 48 is provided at the end of the binding plate 42 facing the heel. The stroke limiter 48 is a joint with two articulated arms 49, the free ends of which are attached in the heel area of ​​the binding plate 42 firstly to the binding plate 42 and secondly to the top 22 of the housing 12.

[0041] In addition, a locking device 50 is located on the top 22 of the housing to firmly connect the binding plate 42 to the housing 12 if required.

[0042] To use the device for sports and / or games 10, the user inserts their foot, which is in a shoe 52, into the straps 44. Once the shoe 52 is firmly connected to the straps 44, the chassis 14 of the device for sports and / or games 10 can be operated by muscle power. The user drives the belt 18, causing the rollers 16 located inside the belt 18 to rotate.

[0043] In steep terrain, the binding plate 42 of the binding 20 is fastened in the locking device 50, so that the device for sport and / or play 10 can be used, for example, like a downhill ski.

[0044] On less steep terrain, the locking device 50 can be released, allowing the device 10 to be used for sport and / or play, similar to a cross-country ski. The stroke limiter 48 ensures that the angle between the binding plate 42 and the housing 12 does not exceed a maximum value.

[0045] To brake the device for sports and / or games 10 as needed, the brake lever 38 can be actuated by means of a user-operated rope, causing the brake shoes 40 to brake the rollers 16. Although not shown, the braking device can also be operated electronically. In this case, a remote control is provided for actuating the brake shoes.

[0046] Although not shown, the device for sport and / or play 10 may have a roller 16 with a backstop to prevent the device for sport and / or play 10 from accidentally moving backward. This is advantageous for use in the movement style of classic cross-country skiing.

[0047] The rollers 16 shown in the figures are cylindrical with a continuous, flat running surface. Alternatively, although not shown, a radially extending circumferential rim can be provided at each of the two ends of the roller, so that the running surface has a groove in which the circulating belt is guided. The height of the rim is less than the thickness of the belt.

[0048] In embodiments not shown, more or fewer rollers may be provided.

[0049] In an embodiment not shown, the rollers 16 of the chassis 14 are spring-mounted. One or all of the rollers may have a shock absorber. Alternatively, a common shock absorber may be provided for all rollers.

[0050] The binding design shown is just an example. There are many ways to attach a boot or foot to a binding plate. For instance, a boot can be directly connected to the binding plate.

[0051] Similarly, the binding plate can be directly, in the sense of rigidly, connected to the housing.

[0052] The present invention also includes embodiments not shown, in which individual features of the illustrated embodiments have been omitted or in which features of different embodiments are combined.

Claims

1. Device for sports and / or games suitable for the use as a cross-country ski on snow-free soil, comprising a housing (12), a chassis (14), and a binding device (20), wherein the chassis (14) has at least two consecutively arranged rollers (16), each with a rotational axis (26), and a closed belt (18), the rotational axes (26) of the at least two rollers (16) are aligned parallel to each other, and the closed belt (18) comprises at least two rollers (16), wherein the at least two rollers (16) are arranged at least in sections in the housing (12) and are each mounted to be rotatable, and wherein the housing (12) has an upper side (22) and the binding device (20) is pivotably attached to the upper side (22) of the housing (12).

2. Device for sports and / or games according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of consecutively arranged rollers (16) are provided, each having a rotational axis (26), wherein the rotational axes (26) are aligned parallel to each other.

3. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stabilizing roller (30) is provided between two adjacent rollers (16), wherein the stabilizing roller (30) preferably has a smaller diameter than the two adjacent rollers (16).

4. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one roller (16) of the chassis is spring-mounted, wherein preferably a shock absorber is provided on at least one roller (16) or a shared shock absorber is provided for all rollers (16) of the chassis (14).

5. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a backstop is provided.

6. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tensioning device for the closed belt (18) is provided, wherein the tensioning device preferably comprises a roller (16) that is horizontally adjustable.

7. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one roller is provided at both ends with a rim that extends along the circumference of the roller and points radially outward.

8. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking element (50) is provided for the binding device (20).

9. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stroke limiting element (50) is provided between the housing (12) and binding device (20).

10. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the binding device (20) has a binding plate (42), wherein the binding plate (42) is pivotably attached to the upper side (22) of the housing (12).

11. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a braking device (36) is provided.

12. Device for sports and / or games according to claim 11, characterized in that the braking device (36) is mechanically actuatable and in particular comprises a braking lever (38), brake shoes (40), and a traction element, or that the braking device is electronically actuatable and is remotely controlled, in particular.

13. Device for sports and / or games according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed belt (18) is a rubber chain.