Roller ski with a pivoting front drive wheel, and pair of roller skis

Abstract

The invention relates to a roller ski (1) comprising a frame (2) connecting a front drive wheel (3) to a rear wheel (4), the frame (2) comprising a rising extension (26), from an upper surface of which extends at least a first anchoring element configured to fasten a resilient biasing means to the rising extension (26), a fork (27) pivotally connected to the rising extension (26) and comprising at least one sheath (271) connected to the hub of the front wheel (3), and a pivot comprising a base from which extends at least a second anchoring element for fastening the resilient biasing means to the base of the pivot, the rising extension (26) further comprising a through-groove for passing wiring, and the base of the pivot further comprising an orifice for passing wiring.

Description

Wheel ski with front-wheel drive and pivoting, and pair of wheel skis

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of roller skis, and relates more particularly to a roller ski with a front driving and pivoting wheel and to a pair of roller skis.

[0002] Roller skis already exist that allow a user to experience the sensations of cross-country or touring skiing in the absence of snow. A roller ski of this type comprises a frame, connecting a non-pivoting front wheel to a rear wheel that is also non-pivoting. A user's foot is received in a binding mounted on the frame, possibly in a tilting manner like a cross-country ski. Such roller skis allow a user to move in the same way as they would with cross-country skis, that is, by reproducing the same movements, but on a snow-free surface.

[0003] Thus, existing roller skis, like cross-country skis, require significant endurance from the user to be used. Furthermore, they do not allow the sensations of alpine skiing to be reproduced.

[0004] US patent application US2020246678A1 describes a sli-wheel according to the state of the art.

[0005] The present invention aims in particular to solve the problems indicated above by proposing a wheel ski with a front driving and pivoting wheel, and a pair of wheel skis.

[0006] The present invention thus relates to a roller ski comprising a chassis capable of receiving and fixing the foot of a user and connecting a front drive wheel to a rear wheel, characterized in that the chassis comprises a riser arranged at the front of the chassis and from an upper surface of which extends at least one first anchoring element configured to fix an elastic biasing means to the riser, a fork pivotally connected to the riser so as to define a positive caster angle and comprising, at a first end, at least one sleeve connected to the hub of the front wheel and, at a second opposite end, a pivot comprising a base from an upper surface of which extends, parallel to a central axis of the pivot and through the riser by at least one respective anchoring passage through groove having the shape of an arc of a circle centered on the central axis of the pivot,at least one second anchoring element configured to fix the elastic biasing means to the base of the pivot, such that the at least one second anchoring element is able to move in the at least one respective anchoring passage through groove when the fork pivots relative to the riser and the elastic biasing means biases the front wheel towards a position aligned with the rear wheel, the riser further comprising, opposite the upper surface of the base of the pivot, a cable passage through groove in the shape of an arc of a circle also centered on the central axis of the pivot, and the base of the pivot further comprising a cable passage orifice arranged so as to open opposite the cable passage through groove over an entire range of movement of the at least one second anchoring element in the at least one respective anchor passage through groove,such that a power and control wiring for the front drive wheel, originating from a battery pack and a control device received in an internal cavity of the chassis, runs above the riser, passes through the wiring passage through groove and the wiring passage hole, and runs to a front wheel motor disposed in the hub of the front wheel, the control device being controllable by a remote control.,

[0007] The embodiment described above makes it possible to obtain a ski-wheel having a front driving and pivoting wheel which, in use, allows the user to move easily thanks to the motor, even uphill, while finding sensations similar to those of alpine skiing, in the absence of snow, particularly for turns.

[0008] According to a particular embodiment, the elastic stressing means consists of at least one of a helical spring and two helical springs symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel.

[0009] The use of coil springs makes it possible to obtain a simple structure for roller skis. It will be understood, however, that a coil spring may be replaced by an element having elastic properties of another type, for example a member made of polymer material, for example rubber. In addition, according to variants, the elastic biasing means may further comprise a damper for each coil spring, each damper being arranged to cooperate with the coil spring, for example by being arranged in the central space of the coil spring.

[0010] Advantageously, the riser comprises at least one of a cylindrical pivot top recess configured to receive a pivot top of the fork, the pivot top being of smaller diameter than the pivot base, coaxial with the pivot base and extending from the upper surface of the pivot base, at least one bearing being disposed between the cylindrical pivot top recess and the pivot top, and a cylindrical pivot base recess configured to receive the pivot base, at least one bearing being disposed between the cylindrical pivot base recess and the pivot base.

[0011] It will be understood that the configurations described above allow the riser to receive and guide the fork pivot. The pivot may, for example, comprise a base and a top both guided in pivoting, or an unguided base and a top guided in pivoting, or even only a base guided in pivoting.

[0012] Advantageously, the at least one fork sleeve comprises a wiring passage channel configured to receive the power and control wiring of the front drive wheel between the wiring passage hole and the hub of the front wheel.

[0013] It will be understood that such a wiring passage channel makes it possible to protect the power and control wiring of the front drive wheel between the wiring passage hole and the front wheel hub. It will also be understood that alternatively the power and control wiring of the front drive wheel can simply run along the fork sleeve.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the caster angle defined by the fork is between 19° and 31°.

[0015] Such a caster angle allows the roller ski to turn easily while ensuring good stability and good road holding.

[0016] Advantageously, the dimensions of the at least one through-groove for anchoring passage are chosen to allow pivoting of the front wheel over a range of -45° to +45° relative to the position aligned with the rear wheel, before at least one second anchoring element is brought into abutment against the respective through-groove for anchoring passage.

[0017] It will be understood that the pivoting range indicated above allows the roller ski to follow the trajectories desired by the user.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear wheel comprises a rear wheel motor disposed in the rear wheel hub, the rear wheel motor being connected to the battery pack for its power supply and to the control device for its control.

[0019] It will be understood that the rear wheel motor makes it possible to improve the acceleration performance of the roller ski, the accelerations and decelerations of the front wheel motor and the rear wheel motor being synchronized. It will also be understood that the rear wheel motor can make it possible to increase the braking power of the roller ski when the motors are used for braking. It can be noted here that the braking of the roller ski can also be improved by the use of disc brakes activated by actuators controlled by the remote control.

[0020] Advantageously, the ski-wheel further comprises a cable grommet arranged on the riser above the elastic stressing means and comprising a first through hole in the vicinity of the at least one first anchoring element and a second through hole opposite the through groove for passing the wiring, such that the power supply and control wiring of the front drive wheel passes through the first and second through holes of the cable grommet and is separated from the elastic stressing means by the cable grommet.

[0021] It will be understood that the cable grommet protects the power and control wiring of the front drive wheel against premature wear caused by friction against the elastic biasing means. It will also be understood that the cable grommet protects the extension against external elements such as, for example, water or dust and / or dirt and preferably extends over the entire upper surface of the extension. More preferably, the cable grommet includes a removable upper cover to facilitate the passage of the power and control wiring of the front drive wheel during assembly. Still preferably, the removable upper cover is mounted in a sealed manner on the cable grommet.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment, at least one support rod extends from the frame and is configured to attach around a calf of the user.

[0023] It will be understood that the use of a retaining rod allows the roller ski to be fixed more firmly to the user's leg.

[0024] The invention also relates to a pair of roller skis, which comprises two roller skis as described above.

[0025] Preferably, the pair of roller skis is configured such that the roller skis are chiral relative to each other. It will be understood that a pair of roller skis according to the invention allows the user to experience sensations similar to those of alpine skiing, in the absence of snow and to move easily thanks to the motors.

[0026] Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] On these drawings:

[0028] is a front perspective view of two roller skis according to one embodiment of the present invention, the two roller skis together forming a pair of roller skis according to the present invention.

[0029] is a side view in section along the median longitudinal plane of a roller ski of the.

[0030] is an enlarged view of the, in the vicinity of the pivot.

[0031] is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a ski-wheel from the vicinity of the pivot.

[0032] is an enlarged top view, at the level of the riser of a ski-wheel, the covers and the cable gland not being shown for greater clarity.

[0033] is an enlarged schematic top view, at the level of the riser of a roller ski according to a variant of the embodiment of the, the covers and the cable guide not being shown for greater clarity.

[0034] is an enlarged schematic top view, at the level of the riser of a roller ski according to another variant of the embodiment of the, the covers and the cable guide not being shown for greater clarity.

[0035] Referring first to the, it can be seen that a pair of roller skis 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, each roller ski 1 comprising a frame 2 configured to connect a front wheel 3 to a rear wheel 4.

[0036] In this description, the terms "front", "rear", "right", "left", "top / upper", "bottom / lower", "vertical" and "horizontal" refer respectively to the front, rear, right, left, top, bottom, vertical and horizontal for a user when using the roller ski 1.

[0037] The chassis 2 comprises a planar receiving portion 21 formed on an upper portion thereof and configured to receive a user's foot, a non-slip grid 211 preferably being arranged on the receiving portion 21. The chassis 2 further comprises a fixing element 22, for example a strap, extending from a right side to a left side of the receiving portion 21 and configured to fix the user's foot on the receiving portion 21. It will obviously be understood that several fixing elements 22 can be used in combination to improve the support of the user's foot on the receiving portion 21.Advantageously, the chassis 2 also comprises a holding rod 23 extending upwards from a rear side of the receiving portion 21 and configured to be attached, at a distal end, around a calf of the user for example by means of a strap 23a, so as to further improve the attachment of the roller ski 1 to the user's leg. Each holding rod 23 is attached to the chassis 2 by two feet 23b extending on either side of the chassis 2, each foot 23b being rotatably attached to the chassis 2 by means of bolts 23c to adapt to the user's morphology.

[0038] Referring also to the, it can be seen that the front wheel 3 is driven and comprises a front wheel motor 31 disposed in its hub. The front wheel motor 31 is powered by a battery pack 5 and is controlled by a control device 6. The battery pack 5 and the control device 6 are received in an internal cavity 24 of the chassis 2 extending under the receiving portion 21.

[0039] Preferably, the internal cavity 24 of the chassis 2 extends under the entire receiving portion 21, in order to provide a maximum receiving space for the battery pack 5 and the control device 6. More preferably, the chassis 2 is formed from an assembly of several parts connected in a removable manner to facilitate the mounting of the battery pack 5 and the control device 6 in the internal cavity 24, and to facilitate access to the internal cavity 24 during maintenance operations of the roller ski 1. The receiving portion 21 may for example be in the form of a shell having an inverted “U” profile defining the internal cavity 24 and closed by a removable lower plate. It will obviously be understood that the structure of the chassis 2 is configured to support the weight of the user, preferably taking into account a safety coefficient.

[0040] The battery pack 5 comprises a plurality of battery cells 51 connected to each other as well as a charging socket 52 arranged to be accessible from the outside of the roller ski 1, for example, on a lateral surface of the chassis 2 and configured to allow the battery pack 5 to be recharged using a mains power supply. Preferably still, the roller ski 1 further comprises an on / off button 61 arranged, for example, on a lateral surface of the chassis 2 and configured to allow the user to start or stop the roller ski 1.

[0041] The control device 6 is controllable via a remote control 7 manipulated by the user to send instructions to the control device 6. The remote control 7 may for example comprise control buttons, a control lever or a touch interface, and may be in communication with the control device 6 in a wired or wireless manner. The remote control 7 may for example be a dedicated remote control or a smartphone of the user.

[0042] The control device 6 is configured to accelerate or decelerate the front wheel motor 31 according to the instructions received from the remote control 7. Advantageously, the control device 6 is also configured to allow braking of the ski-wheel 1 using the front wheel motor 31. The control device 6 may in particular take the form of an electronic card, comprising memory, wireless communication means (Bluetooth or Wifi type or others) and a calculation means, for example a microprocessor, a processor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a programmable gate array (FPGA) or even an application-specific component (ASIC), associated with the memory and comprising a program for operating the ski-wheel with the remote control 7. Input means may advantageously be provided on the electronic card to change the program controlling the ski-wheel 1.

[0043] Preferably, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear wheel 4 is also driven and comprises a rear wheel motor 41 arranged in its hub. In this case, the rear wheel motor 41 is also powered by the battery pack 5 and controlled by the control device 6.

[0044] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear wheel 4 is connected to the rear of the chassis 2 by two fixed arms 25 extending horizontally and configured to be connected to the hub of the rear wheel 4. The fixed arms 25 can be formed in one piece with the receiving part 21 or be fixed to the chassis 2 by any technical solution, for example by bolting, welding, gluing, riveting or a combination of several of these technical solutions. It will be understood that as a variant, for example to reduce the weight of the ski-wheel 1, the rear wheel 4 could be connected to the chassis 2 by a single arm 25. According to a variant not shown, the rear wheel 4 could also be connected to the chassis 2 by means of a swing arm pivotally connected to the rear of the chassis 2 and comprising one or two arms and a shock absorber to improve user comfort.Preferably, the chassis 2 further comprises a rear mudguard 251 extending in front of and above the rear wheel 4 to prevent splashes of water and dust and / or dirt.

[0045] When the rear wheel 4 includes a rear wheel motor 41, this is connected to the battery pack 5 and to the control device 6 by running wiring preferably along, or inside, a fixed arm 25 or an arm of the swing arm.

[0046] It will be understood that, where appropriate, the accelerations and decelerations of the front wheel motor 31 and the rear wheel motor 41 are synchronized and that the rear wheel motor 41 also makes it possible to increase the braking power of the ski-wheel 1.

[0047] It will obviously be understood that in a variant of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, only the front wheel 3 can be driven.

[0048] Furthermore, according to a variant not shown, the ski-wheel 1 may further comprise at least one disc brake operated by an actuator, for example an electric cylinder, controlled by the remote control 7, in order to improve the braking of the ski-wheel 1.

[0049] The connection between the front wheel 3 and the chassis 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0050] The chassis 2 comprises a riser 26 arranged at the front thereof, preferably at a front end of the receiving portion 21. The riser 26 comprises a first portion 261 extending vertically upwards relative to the receiving portion 21 and a second portion 262 extending obliquely upwards from a distal end of the first portion 261.

[0051] The first portion 261 of the riser 26 can be fixed by any technical solution, for example by bolting, welding, riveting, gluing, combination of these solutions or else be formed in one piece with the receiving part 21. Advantageously, the second portion 262 is formed in one piece with the first portion 261, but can also, as a variant, be fixed to the first portion 261 by any means, for example by one of the technical solutions cited above.

[0052] The frame 2 also includes a fork 27 configured to be pivotally connected to a distal end of the second portion 262 of the riser 26, so as to define a positive caster angle.

[0053] It will be understood that the important thing for the design of the riser 26 is to provide a connection between the fork 27 and the riser 26 which makes it possible to obtain a positive caster angle for the fork 27. It will therefore be understood that according to a variant not shown, the first portion 261 could extend upwards and forwards obliquely, and not vertically.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the fork 27 comprises, at a first end, two sleeves 271 configured to be connected to the hub of the front wheel 3. It will be understood that as a variant, for example to reduce the weight of the ski-wheel 1, the fork 27 could comprise a single sleeve 271. According to a variant not shown, the fork 27 could also comprise one or two plungers, each slidably mounted in a respective sleeve, so as to form a suspension to improve the comfort of the user.

[0055] The fork 27 further comprises, at a second end opposite the first end, a pivot 272 configured to be pivotally connected to the second portion 262 of the extension 26, the pivot 272 preferably extending in the extension of the sleeves 271.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the pivot 272 comprises a base 2721 and a top 2722. The base 2721 and the top 2722 are in the form of coaxial cylinders, the base 2721 being connected to the sleeves 271 and the top 2722 being of smaller diameter than the base 2721 and extending from an upper surface thereof.

[0057] The second portion 262 of the riser 26 includes a cylindrical recess for pivot top 2622, configured to receive the top 2722 of the pivot 272, and a cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621 configured to receive the base 2721 of the pivot 272.

[0058] It will obviously be understood that the cylindrical recess for pivot top 2622 and the cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621 are coaxial, and that the diameter of the cylindrical recess for pivot top 2622 is less than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621.

[0059] Furthermore, it will also be understood that the cylindrical recess for pivot top 2622 and the cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621 are formed in the second portion 262 of the riser 26 so that after assembly, the fork 27 defines the desired positive caster angle. Preferably, the cylindrical recess for pivot top 2622 and the cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621 are inclined at an angle of between 19 and 31 degrees relative to a vertical up-down direction.

[0060] In order to ensure the rotational guidance of the base 2721 and the top 2722 of the pivot 272, two bearings 2623 are respectively mounted between the cylindrical recess for the pivot top 2622 and the top 2722 of the pivot 272, and between the cylindrical recess for the pivot base 2621 and the base 2721 of the pivot 272. The bearings 2623 are preferably ball bearings but can take the form of any means suitable for rotational guidance, for example a needle bearing, a roller bearing or even a plain bearing.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the bearing 2623 guiding the top 2722 of the pivot 272 is force-fitted into the cylindrical pivot top recess 2622 and is held therein by a locking element 263 screwed into the upper surface of the riser 26 in the vicinity of the cylindrical pivot top recess 2622. The bearing 2623 guiding the base 2721 of the pivot 272 is in turn force-fitted into the cylindrical pivot base recess 2621 and is held therein by a lower cover 264 extending along the lower surface of the riser 26 and screwed therein. Advantageously, the lower cover 264 extends along the entire lower surface of the extension 26 and provides protection against splashes of water and dust and / or dirt caused by the rotation of the front wheel 3. More preferably, the lower cover 264 serves as a front mudguard.

[0062] It will be understood that the bearings 2623 could also be secured to the riser 26 by other technical solutions, such as for example by gluing or welding.

[0063] The pivot 272 is preferably force-fitted into the bearings 2623 and the fork 27 is further prevented from moving in translation in a direction parallel to the central axis of the pivot 272 by a fixing screw 273 extending into the pivot 272 from the upper side of the riser 26 and the head of which is in contact with the uppermost bearing 2623.

[0064] According to a variant, not shown, the riser 26 could only comprise a cylindrical recess for the top of the pivot 2622, such that only the top 2722 of the pivot 272 would be pivotally received in the riser 26. The ski-wheel 1 would then comprise a single bearing 2623 mounted between the top 2722 of the pivot 272 and the cylindrical recess for the top of the pivot 2622. It will be understood that in this variant, the base 2721 of the pivot 272 could not be in the form of a complete cylinder and rather be in the form of a portion of a cylinder in which a second anchoring element 282 is fixed, the function of which will be described below.

[0065] According to yet another variant, not shown, the pivot 272 could comprise only a base 2721, and the riser comprise only a cylindrical recess for pivot base 2621 receiving a bearing 2623.

[0066] As can be seen more clearly in the, the second portion 262 of the riser 26 comprises an anchoring passage through groove 2624 and a wiring passage through groove 2625, each having the shape of an arc of a circle centered on a central axis of the pivot 272, and being arranged diametrically opposite one another and so as to each be cut in the middle by a median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel 1. In the embodiment shown in the, the anchoring passage through groove 2624 and the wiring passage through groove 2625 are arranged on the same virtual circle. However, according to variants, the anchoring passage through groove 2624 could be arranged on a virtual circle different from that on which the wiring passage through groove 2625 is arranged.

[0067] The ski-wheel 1 further comprises an elastic biasing means 28 configured to bias the front wheel 3 towards a position aligned with the rear wheel 4, i.e. a position aligned with the median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel 1.

[0068] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the elastic biasing means 28 comprises a coil spring configured to exert a restoring force when it is deformed. Alternatively, the elastic biasing means 28 could comprise an element having elastic properties of another type, for example a member made of polymer material, for example rubber. Still alternatively, the elastic biasing means 28 could further comprise a damper arranged to cooperate with the element having elastic properties, for example arranged in the central space of the coil spring.

[0069] The chassis 2 further comprises a first anchoring element 281 configured to connect the elastic biasing means 28 to the riser 26 and a second anchoring element 282 configured to connect the elastic biasing means 28 to the base 2721 of the pivot 272.

[0070] The first and second anchoring elements 281, 282 may for example be in the form of a cylindrical rod received in a bore 265, 2721a formed respectively in an upper surface of the riser 26 and in an upper surface of the base 2721 of the pivot 272.

[0071] It will be understood that the first and second anchoring elements 281, 282 can be secured by any technical solution, respectively to the riser 26 and to the base 2721 of the pivot 272, for example by screwing, the corresponding bore 265, 2721a then being threaded, by welding, by gluing, by force fitting, by a combination of several of these technical solutions or even be formed in a single piece respectively with the riser 26 and with the base 2721 of the pivot 272.

[0072] Advantageously, the upper surface of the riser 26 comprises several holes 265 aligned in a front-rear direction of the roller ski 1, such that a user can move the first anchoring element 281 in order to adjust the tension of the elastic biasing means 28 in a rest position, that is to say a position in which the front wheel 3 is aligned with the rear wheel 4.

[0073] The second anchoring element 282 is configured to extend from the upper surface of the base 2721 of the pivot 272 in a direction parallel to the central axis of the pivot 272, and to extend through the anchor passage through groove 2624. Thus, when the fork 27 pivots relative to the riser 26, the second anchoring element 282 moves in the anchor passage through groove 2624 in an arc.

[0074] The ski-wheel 1 is configured such that the positions and dimensions of the through-groove for anchoring passage 2624 and the second anchoring element 282 allow the fork 27 to pivot relative to the riser 26 over a desired pivoting range before the second anchoring element 282 and a side wall of the through-groove for anchoring passage 2624 come into contact. Preferably, the pivoting range extends from -45° to +45° relative to the position in which the front wheel 3 is aligned with the rear wheel 4.

[0075] It will be understood that in use, when the front wheel 3 pivots to the right or to the left, the elastic biasing means 28 exerts, via the second anchoring element 282, a restoring force on the base 2721 of the pivot 272 which tends to pivot the fork 27 and bring the front wheel 3 back into alignment with the rear wheel 4.

[0076] Thus, in use, the user can, in the manner of alpine skiing, exert with his foot a force on a right longitudinal end part or a left longitudinal end part of the receiving part 21, which causes the front wheel 3 to pivot respectively to the right or to the left and thus turns the ski-wheel 1 respectively to the right or to the left. The return stress exerted by the elastic stressing means 28 allows the user to find sensations comparable to those of alpine skiing during a change of direction, and also allows the front wheel 3 to be brought back into alignment with the rear wheel 4 when the user wishes to straighten his trajectory and stops applying a force on a longitudinal end part of the receiving part 21.

[0077] As indicated above, the ski-wheel 1 also comprises a through-groove for passing wiring 2625 formed in the riser 26. In addition, the base 2721 of the pivot 272 comprises a wiring passage orifice 2721b configured to open opposite the through-groove for passing wiring 2625 over the entire pivoting range of the fork 27, in order to allow the passage of a wiring 32 for powering and controlling the front drive wheel 3.

[0078] The power and control wiring 32 of the front wheel 3 drive is configured to start from the battery pack 5 and the control device 6, run above the riser, pass through the wiring passage through groove 2625 then the wiring passage hole 2721b, and run to the front wheel motor 31.

[0079] The power and control wiring 32 of the front drive wheel 3 may run along one of the sleeves 271 of the fork 27 to the front wheel motor 31, but is preferably received in a wiring passage channel 2711 formed in one of the sleeves 271 between the wiring passage hole 2721b of the base 2721 of the pivot 272 and the hub of the front wheel 3.

[0080] Advantageously, the ski-wheel 1 further comprises a cable grommet 266 arranged on the riser 26 so as to extend above the elastic biasing means 28. The cable grommet 266 comprises a first through-hole 2661 formed in the vicinity of the first anchoring element 281 and a second through-hole 2662 formed opposite the through-groove for passing the wiring 2625. The ski-wheel 1 is then configured such that the power supply and control wiring 32 of the front drive wheel 3 passes through the first through-hole 2661 then through the second through-hole 2662 so as to be separated from the elastic biasing means 28 by the cable grommet 266. The power supply and control wiring 32 of the front drive wheel 3 is thus protected against premature wear caused by friction against the elastic biasing means. 28.Preferably, the cable grommet 266 further comprises a removable upper cover 2663 making it easier to pass the power and control wiring 32 of the front drive wheel 3 through the first and second through holes 2661, 2662 during assembly. Preferably still, the cable grommet 266 extends over the entire upper surface of the riser 26 and up to the receiving portion 21, so as to provide protection against external elements such as water or dust and / or dirt, where appropriate the removable upper cover 2663 being preferably mounted in a sealed manner on the cable grommet 266.

[0081] We will now describe the variants of the connection between the front wheel 3 and the chassis 2 shown in Figures 6a and 6b. For these variants, the ski-wheel 1 is identical to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, with the exception of the following.

[0082] The extension 26 comprises two through grooves for anchoring passage 2624 formed in an arc of a circle and so as to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel 1.

[0083] In the embodiments shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the anchoring passage through grooves 2624 and the wiring passage through groove 2625 are arranged on the same virtual circle. However, according to variants, the anchoring passage through grooves 2624 could be arranged on a different virtual circle than that on which the wiring passage through groove 2625 is arranged.

[0084] Each anchor passage through groove 2624 allows the passage of a second anchor element 282 extending from the upper surface of the base 2721 of the pivot 272 to allow the elastic biasing means 28 to be fixed to the base 2721 of the pivot 272.

[0085] It will be understood that at each limit of the pivoting range of the fork 27, at least one of the second anchoring elements 282 abuts against a side wall of the respective anchor passage through groove 2624. The ski-wheel 1 is preferably configured so that the two second anchoring elements 282 abut at the same time against the respective anchor passage through groove 2624.

[0086] It will also be understood that according to a variant not shown, the two through anchor passage grooves 2624 could join at the level of the median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel 1 to form a single through anchor passage groove 2624 in which the two second anchor elements 282 move.

[0087] Furthermore, the elastic biasing means 28 is connected to the riser 26 by a first anchoring element 281, as shown in the, or by two anchoring elements 281, as shown in the.

[0088] The elastic biasing means 28 here comprises two elements having elastic properties arranged symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel 1 when the front wheel 3 is aligned with the rear wheel 4, and each configured to exert an elastic reaction force when it is deformed. Each element having elastic properties may, for example, be in the form of a helical spring or a member made of polymer material, for example rubber.

[0089] Preferably, the elastic biasing means 28 is configured such that, when the front wheel 3 is no longer aligned with the rear wheel 4, one of the elements having elastic properties exerts a tensile force on the respective second anchoring element 282 and the other element having elastic properties exerts a compressive force on the respective second anchoring element 282. It will be understood, however, that according to other variants, the two elements having elastic properties may be configured to both apply a tensile force, or a compressive force, to the respective second anchoring element 282 over the entire pivoting range of the fork 27.According to variants not always shown, the elastic stressing means 28 could further comprise dampers arranged to cooperate with the elements having elastic properties, for example arranged in the central spaces of the helical springs.

[0090] The invention also relates to a pair of roller skis comprising two roller skis 1 according to the invention, the two roller skis 1 preferably being chiral. It will be understood that a pair of roller skis according to the invention allows the user to experience sensations similar to those of alpine skiing, in the absence of snow and to move easily thanks to the motors 31, 41.

[0091] The invention is not limited in this respect and it is envisaged that only one of the ski-wheels of a pair of ski-wheels is motorized, the other ski-wheel then having the front wheel not motorized but capable of pivoting in a manner similar to the front wheel of the motorized ski-wheel of the pair.

[0092] It is understood that the particular embodiments which have just been described have been given for informational and non-limiting purposes, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

– Ski-wheel (1) comprising a chassis (2) capable of receiving and fixing the foot of a user and connecting a front drive wheel (3) to a rear wheel (4), characterized in that: the chassis (2) comprises: a riser (26) arranged at the front of the chassis (2) and from an upper surface of which extends at least one first anchoring element (281) configured to fix an elastic biasing means (28) to the riser (26), a fork (27) pivotally connected to the riser (26) so as to define a positive caster angle and comprising, at a first end, at least one sleeve (271) connected to the hub of the front wheel (3) and, at a second opposite end, a pivot (272) comprising a base (2721) from an upper surface of which extends, parallel to a central axis of the pivot (272) and through the riser (26) by at least one through-groove for anchoring passage (2624) respective having the shape of an arc of a circle centered on the central axis of the pivot (272),at least one second anchoring element (282) configured to fix the elastic biasing means (28) to the base (2721) of the pivot (272), such that the at least one second anchoring element (282) is able to move in the at least one respective anchoring passage through groove (2624) when the fork (27) pivots relative to the riser (26) and the elastic biasing means (28) biases the front wheel (3) towards a position aligned with the rear wheel (4), the riser (26) further comprising, opposite the upper surface of the base (2721) of the pivot (272), a cabling passage through groove (2625) in the shape of an arc of a circle also centered on the central axis of the pivot (272),and the base (2721) of the pivot (272) further comprising a wiring passage orifice (2721b) arranged so as to open opposite the wiring passage through groove (2625) over a whole range of movement of the at least one second anchoring element (282) in the at least one respective anchor passage through groove (2624), such that a wiring (32) for powering and controlling the front drive wheel (3), coming from a battery pack (5) and a control device (6) received in an internal cavity (24) of the chassis (2), runs above the riser (26), passes through the wiring passage through groove (2625) and the wiring passage orifice (2721b), and runs to a front wheel motor (31) arranged in the hub of the front wheel (3), the control device (6) being controllable by a remote control (7)., - Ski-wheel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic stressing means (28) consists of at least one of a helical spring and two helical springs symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane of the ski-wheel (1). – Ski-wheel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the extension (26) comprises at least one of:a cylindrical recess for pivot top (2622) configured to receive a top (2722) of the pivot (272) of the fork (27), the top (2722) of the pivot (272) being of smaller diameter than the base (2721) of the pivot (272), coaxial with the base (2721) of the pivot (272) and extending from the upper surface of the base (2721) of the pivot (272), at least one bearing (2623) being disposed between the cylindrical recess for pivot top (2622) and the top (2722) of the pivot (272), anda cylindrical recess for pivot base (2621) configured to receive the base (2721) of the pivot (272), at least one bearing (2623) being disposed between the cylindrical pivot base recess (2621) and the base (2721) of the pivot (272). – Ski-wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one sheath (271) of the fork (27) comprises a wiring passage channel (2711) configured to receive the power and control wiring (32) of the front drive wheel (3) between the wiring passage orifice (2721b) and the hub of the front wheel (3). – Ski-wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the caster angle defined by the fork (27) is between 19° and 31°. – Ski-wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dimensions of the at least one through-groove for anchoring passage (2624) are chosen to allow pivoting of the front wheel (3) over a range from -45° to +45° relative to the position aligned with the rear wheel (4), before at least one second anchoring element (282) is brought into abutment against the respective through-groove for anchoring passage (2624). – Ski-wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rear wheel (4) comprises a rear wheel motor (41) arranged in the rear wheel hub (4), the rear wheel motor (4) being connected to the battery pack (5) for its power supply and to the control device (6) for its control. – Ski-wheel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ski-wheel (1) further comprises a cable grommet (266) arranged on the riser (26) above the elastic biasing means (28) and comprising a first through hole (2661) in the vicinity of the at least one first anchoring element (281) and a second through hole (2662) opposite the through groove for passing the wiring (2625), such that the power supply and control wiring (32) of the front drive wheel (3) passes through the first and second through holes (2661, 2662) of the cable grommet (266) and is separated from the elastic biasing means (28) by the cable grommet (266). – Roller ski (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one holding rod (23) extends from the chassis (2) and is configured to attach around a calf of the user. – Pair of roller skis, characterized in that it comprises two roller skis (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images