An inline roller skate

Abstract

An inline roller skate, which comprises; an upper chassis section (110, 210, 310) comprising a first contact surface (126, 226, 326), a lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) comprising a second contact surface (154, 254, 354), and a coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means. The coupling arrangement is arranged to allow the upper chassis section (110, 210, 310) to pivot relative to the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) by rolling contact motion between the first (126, 226, 326) and second (154, 254, 354) contact surface. The spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region (CR) towards a neutral position. The spring back means comprises at least one resilient member (170a-b, 172a-b, 270, 272, 370), a front tensioning member (122, 222, 322) and a rear tensioning member (124, 224, 324), which tensioning members are arranged to tension a corresponding resilient member (170a-b, 172a-b, 270, 272, 370) upon the rolling contact motion for urging the momentary region (CR) towards the neutral position. The front tensioning member (122, 222, 322) is arranged to tension the corresponding resilient member (170a-b, 270, 370) only when the momentary contact region (CR) moves from the neutral position (NP) in a first direction and the rear tensioning member (124, 224a-b, 324) is arranged to tension the corresponding resilient member (172a-b, 272, 370) only when the momentary contact region (CR) moves from the neutral position (NP) in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

Description

AN INLINE ROLLER SKATETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of inline roller skates. In particular, the disclosure relates to an inline roller skate at which an upper chassis section is arranged to pivot by a rolling contact motion relative to a lower chassis section.BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditional inline roller skates, sometimes referred to as rollerblades, comprise a boot for receiving the foot of a user and a blade comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels which blade is immovably fixed to the boot. Normally, the wheels are arranged in a common horizontal plane such that the ground contacting portions of all wheels are arranged on a straight line. This, in combination with the rigid fixation of the blade to the boot, results in an un-natural, stiff and uncomfortable movement for the user.

[0003] For reducing this problem WO 2011 / 099914 Al discloses an inline frame for inline roller skates. The frame is arranged to movably connect the boot to the blade and thereby to the wheels. The frame comprises an upper chassis section with a first contact surface and a lower chassis section with a second contact surface. At least one of the contact surfaces is curved. A coupling means is arranged to engage the upper and lower chassis sections such that they may pivot relative to another in the longitudinal direction. A bushing is arranged to urge the relative pivotal position between the first and second contact surfaces to a neutral position. This known binding allows for that the user may shift the centre of gravity along the length of the foot while maintaining an even pressure to the blade. By this means the manoeuvrability, performance and comfort is greatly enhanced.SUMMARY

[0004] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an enhanced inline roller skate of the type which allows an upper chassis section to pivot by a rolling contact motion without a fixed point of rotation relative to a lower chassis section.

[0005] Another object is to provide such an inline roller skate which allows for precise adjustment of a spring back force which urges or biases the relative pivoting rolling motion to a neutral position.

[0006] A further object is to provide such an inline roller skate which allows for that the spring back force may be set separately for the relative pivoting rolling motion in the forward and reward direction respectively.

[0007] A further object is to provide such an inline roller skate which is simple and reliable in construction.

[0008] Yet another object is to provide such an inline roller skate exhibiting a reduced weight and dimensions.

[0009] Another object is to provide such an inline roller skate, which exhibits great stability and sturdiness.

[0010] A further object is to provide such an inline roller skate at which the geometry of the rolling contact motion readily maybe altered.

[0011] These and other objects are achieved by an inline roller skate as defined in the amended claim 1. The inline roller skate comprises; an upper chassis section comprising a first contact surface, a lower chassis section comprising a second contact surface, and a coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means, which coupling arrangement is arranged to mechanically connect the upper and lower chassis sections. At least one of the first and second contact surfaces comprises a curved portion. The coupling arrangement is arranged to allow the upper chassis section to pivot relative to the lower chassis section by rolling contact motion between the first and second contact surface such that a momentary contact region of the first and second contact surfaces moves back and forth along the curved portion. The spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region towards a neutral position. The spring back means comprises at least one resilient member which is fixed relative to one of the upper chassis section and the lower chassis section, a front tensioning member and a rear tensioning member, which tensioning members are fixed relative to the other of the upper and lower chassis section and arranged to tension a corresponding resilient member upon rolling contact motion from the neutral position, for urging the momentary region towards the neutral position. The front tensioning member is arranged to tension the correspondingresilient member only when the momentary contact region moves from the neutral position in a first direction and the rear tensioning member is arranged to tension the corresponding resilient member only when the momentary contact region moves from the neutral position in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

[0012] The spring back means thus comprises at least one resilient member, which is independently activated or loaded by the respective tensioning member only during relative rolling motion in a respective direction forward or backward from the neutral position. By this means, the resilient properties such as the spring constant and any pretensioning experienced by the user maybe set different for forward rolling and backward rolling respectively. This amounts to an important advantage since different users have different preferences with respect both to the magnitude of the spring resistance experienced at forward and backward rolling and to the balance or distribution between the spring resistance experienced at forward and backward rolling.

[0013] The inline roller skate according to this disclosure thus provides an efficient means for adapting the roller skate to each user’s individual preferences. In addition, it has proven that the inline roller skate according to this disclosure provides a more natural feeling and a skating experience which more resembles ice skating than the inline roller skates according to the prior art.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the spring back means may comprise at least one front resilient member arranged to be tensioned by the front tensioning member and at least one rear resilient member arranged to be tensioned by the rear tensioning member. This further facilitates selecting the preferred resilient properties for forward and backward rolling, since the resilient member active at forward rolling the is different from the resilient member active at rearward rolling.

[0015] The at least one front resilient member may be arranged to be tensioned when the contact region moves rearward from the neutral position and the at least one rear resilient member may be arranged to be tensioned when the contact region moves forward from the neutral position. This allows for that the front and rear resilient members are arranged also for preventing the upper and lower chassis sections to be separated from each other.

[0016] The spring back means may comprise two front resilient members and two rear resilient members. By this means the load on each resilient member maybe reduced.

[0017] The front tensioning member and the rear tensioning member may be fixed to or formed integral with a respective protruding portion of one of the upper and lower chassis section, which protruding portion overlaps the other of the upper and lower chassis section.

[0018] The at least one resilient member may be integrated in either of the upper or the lower chassis section.

[0019] The at least one resilient member may preferably be integrated in the lower chassis section.

[0020] The at least one resilient member may then be received in a respective cavity in the lower chassis section.

[0021] Each protruding portion may form part of the upper chassis section and protrude downwardly overlapping the lower chassis section.

[0022] Each of the front and rear resilient members may comprise a respective compression spring.

[0023] The lower chassis section may comprise a front wheel, at least one intermediate wheel and a rear wheel, which wheels are longitudinally aligned, wherein the front resilient member is arranged longitudinally between the front wheel and an adjacent intermediate wheel and wherein the rear resilient member is arranged longitudinally between the rear wheel and an adjacent intermediate wheel.

[0024] The first contact surface may be arranged on an exchangeable insert which is removably fixed to the upper or lower chassis section.

[0025] The length of the curved portion may constitute 10 - 95%, preferably 25 - 90 %, most preferably 40 - 60% of the length of first and / or second contact surface.

[0026] The curvature of the curved portion may have a constant radius over its entire length.

[0027] At least a portion of the curved portion may exhibit a constant curvature having a radius of > 0,5 m, preferably 0,6— 3,0 m.

[0028] At least a portion of the curved portion may exhibit a curvature and length which are arranged such that the maximum pivot angle is i— 12°, preferably 2— 50, when the contact region moves along the curved portion of the of the first or second contact surface.

[0029] The upper chassis section may be fixed to a boot for receiving the foot of a user and the lower chassis section may comprise a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels.

[0030] Further objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplifying embodiments and from the appended claims.

[0031] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inline roller skate according to a first embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the roller skate shown in fig. 1 with the boot of the roller skate removed.

[0035] Figs 3a and 3b are an exploded view in perspective and a longitudinal section of the roller skate shown in fig. 1 with the boot and the wheels removed.

[0036] Figs 4a-c are longitudinal sections of the roller skate shown in fig. 1 with the boot removed and illustrating respective different relative positions of an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section of the roller skate according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Figs 5&-c are longitudinal sections corresponding to figs 4a-c illustrating respective different relative positions of an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section of a roller skate according a second embodiment.

[0038] Figs 6a-c are longitudinal sections corresponding to figs 4a-c illustrating respective different relative positions of an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section of a roller skate according a third embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0040] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0041] First referring to figs. 1 to 3b, these figures illustrate an inline roller skate according to a first embodiment. The roller skate comprises a boot 101, three longitudinally aligned wheels 102, 103, 104, an upper chassis section no and a lower chassis section 150. The boot 101 is fixed to the upper chassis section and the wheels 102-104 are fixed by bearings to the lower chassis section 150. A coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means is arranged to mechanically connect the upper chassis section and the lower chassis section

[0042] The upper chassis section 110 comprises a top plate 112 having a downwardly open, generally U-shaped cross section and three mounting platforms 114 with respective through holes 116. for the fixation of the boot 101. A first 118a and a second 118b front protruding portion extend downwardly, i.e. towards the lower chassis section 150, from respective side edges of the top plate 112, in proximity to its front end. Correspondingly, a first 120a, and a second 120b rear protruding portion extend downwardly from respective side edges of the top plate 112, in proximity to its rear end. Each protruding portion 118a, 118b, 120a, 120b is generally triangular and exhibits, in proximity to its lower apex, a through hole 118a’, 120a’. The through holes 118a’ of the front protruding portions 118a, 118b are horizontally aligned andarranged to receive a front tensioning member 122. In the shown example the front tensioning member 122 comprises a screw 122b which is inserted through the through hole in one of the front protruding portions 118b and threadedly engaged with a sleeve nut 122a which is inserted through the through hole 118a’ of the other front protruding portions 118a. Correspondingly, the through holes 120a’ of the rear protruding portions 120a, 120b are horizontally aligned and arranged to receive a rear tensioning member 124. In the shown example, the rear tensioning member 124 comprises a screw 124b which is inserted through the through hole in one of the front protruding portions 120b and threadedly engaged with a sleeve nut 124a which is inserted through the through hole 120a’ of the other front protruding portions 120a.

[0043] The upper chassis section no further exhibits a first contact surface 126. In the shown example, the first contact surface is arranged on an exchangeable plate shaped insert 128 which is snap fitted to the top plate 112 by means of snap-fit hooks 128a which engage corresponding edges of the top plate 112. The upper side of the insert 128 is upwardly supported by a downwardly facing curved surface 130 of the top plate 112. In the shown example the insert 128 has constant thickness over its entire length such that the first contact surface has a curvature along the longitudinal direction which corresponds to the curvature of the top plate’s 112 curved surface 130. By providing inserts having longitudinally varying thicknesses, it is possible to vary the curvature of the first contact surface 126 according to each user’s preferences. Where no such variability of the curvature of the first contact surface 126 is desirable, the insert 128 maybe omitted. At a not shown embodiment, the downwardly facing surface 130 of the top plate 112 maybe planar, whereby the curvature of the first contact surface 126 maybe defined by a longitudinally varying thickness of the insert.

[0044] At the examples shown in the figures, the first contact surface is curved over its entire longitudinal length. However, at some embodiments only a longitudinal portion of the first or the second contact surface is curved. Irrespective of if the entire length or only a portion of one or both contact surfaces is curved, the curved portion may exhibit a constant or a varying radius of curvature of its length. In the shown examples, the radius of curvature is approx. 2 m. However, the radius of curvature may be varied. It has proven advantageous to select the radius of curvature > 0,5 m and preferably between 0,6 m and 3,0 m. Additionally, in the shown examples, the first contact surface 126 exhibits a curvature and a longitudinal lengthwhich are selected such that the maximum pivotal angle between the upper and lower chassis sections is approx. 30. This maybe varied but it has proven advantageous to select the curvature and the length of the curved contact surface such that the maximum pivotal angle is 1-120and preferably 2-5 °.

[0045] The lower chassis section 150 comprises a top wall 152 exhibiting an upwardly facing second contact surface 154. In the shown example the second contact surface 152 is generally planar. In use, the planar second contact surface 154 supports the curved first contact surface 126, such that the upper chassis section no may pivot relative to the lower chassis section 150 by rolling contact motion between the first 126 and second 154 contact surface and such that a momentary contact region CR of the first 126 and second 154 contact surfaces moves back and forth along the curved first contact surface 126.

[0046] The lower chassis section 150 further comprises a first 156 and a second 158 lateral wall extending downwards from respective side edges of the top plate 152. Each lateral wall 156, 158 exhibits three through holes 160a, 160b arranged in pairs such that each pair receives a wheel axle 162 for journaled fixation of a respective wheel 102, 103, 104.

[0047] Each lateral wall 156, 158 further exhibits a front cavity 164 and a rear cavity. Each front cavity 164 receives a front resilient member 170a, 170b, which at the first embodiment comprises a helical compression spring. Correspondingly each rear cavity 166 receives a rear resilient member 172a, 172b, which at the first embodiment comprises a helical compression spring.

[0048] The upper end of each front resilient member 170a, 170b is upwardly supported by an upper wall of the respective front cavity 164, via a centring element 174a, 174b which is form fitted into an upper portion of the respective front cavity 164 and which protrudes into the respective front resilient member 170a, 170b. The lower portion of each front cavity 164 is downwardly extended by a front channel 164a which extends into both lateral walls 156, 158 and which may receive a mid-portion of the front tensioning member 122.

[0049] The upper end of each rear resilient member 172a, 172b is upwardly supported by an upper wall of the respective rear cavity 166. The lower portion of each rear cavity 166 is downwardly extended by a rear channel 166a which extendsinto both lateral walls 156, 158 and which may receive a mid-portion of the rear tensioning member 122.

[0050] The functioning of the inline roller skate according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference primarily to figs. 3b and 4a-c. It may be noted that the centring elements 174a, 174b have been omitted in figs. 4a-c, for increased clarity.

[0051] In figs. 3b and 4a the upper chassis section no has assumed a neutral position relative to lower chassis section 150. In this neutral position, the momentary contact region CR of the first 126 and the second 154 contact surface is located approximately at the longitudinal centre of the first 126 and second 154 contact surfaces. At the shown embodiment both the front lyoa-b and the rear i72a-b resilient members are relaxed at this neutral position. However, it is also possible that the resilient members lyoa-b, i72a-b maybe pretensioned such that all resilient members lyoa-b, i72a-b are somewhat compressed at the neutral position.

[0052] Fig. 4b illustrates how the user has applied a downwardly directed force to the front portion of the upper chassis section no. Hereby the upper chassis section 110 as rolled forwardly relative to the lower chassis section 150, such that the momentary contact region CR has moved forwardly to the front ends of the first 126 and second 154 contact surfaces. During such forward rolling, the rear protruding portions 120a, 120b and thereby rear tensioning member 124 have been lifted relative to the lower chassis section 150. The rear resilient members i72a-b are thereby compressed and loaded between the so lifted rear tensioning member 124 and the upper wall of the respective rear cavity 166. Simultaneously, the front protruding portions 118a, 118b have been lowered relative to the lower chassis section 150 and the front tensioning member 122 has been displaced further down into the front channel 164a, thereby leaving the front resilient members lyoa-b relaxed.

[0053] Hence, after such forward rolling of the upper chassis section no relative to the lower chassis section, only the rear resilient members i72a-b are loaded and urge the upper chassis section to resume its neutral position shown in figs. 3b and 4a.

[0054] Correspondingly, fig. 4c illustrates how the user has applied a downwardly directed force to the rear portion of the upper chassis section no. Hereby the upper chassis section 110 as rolled backwardly relative to the lower chassis section 150, suchthat the momentary contact region CR has moved backwardly to the rear ends of the first 126 and second 154 contact surfaces. During such rearward rolling, the front protruding portions 118a, 118b and thereby front tensioning member 122 have been lifted relative to the lower chassis section 150. The front resilient members lyoa-b are thereby compressed and loaded between the so lifted front tensioning member 122 and the upper wall of the respective front cavity 164. Simultaneously, the rear protruding portions 120a, 120b have been lowered relative to the lower chassis section 150 and the rear tensioning member 124 has been displaced further down into the rear channel 166a, thereby leaving the rear resilient members iy2a-b relaxed.

[0055] Hence, after such rearward rolling of the upper chassis section no relative to the lower chassis section, only the front resilient members lyoa-b are loaded and urge the upper chassis section no to resume its neutral position shown in figs. 3b and 4a.

[0056] At the above-described embodiment, the first 126 and second 154 contact surfaces, the protruding portions n8a-8, i2oa-b, the tensioning members 122, 124, the resilient members lyoa-b, iy2a-b and the cavities 164, 166 form a coupling arrangement which mechanically connects the upper 110 and lower 150 chassis sections and which prevents separating the upper chassis section no from the lower chassis section 150, without first removing the tensioning members 122, 124. The coupling arrangement further allows the upper chassis section no to pivot relative to the lower chassis section 150 by rolling contact motion between the first 126 and second 154 contact surface such that the momentary contact region CR moves back and forth along the contact surfaces 126, 154. The resilient members lyoa-b, i72a-b and the tensioning members 122, 124 further from part of a spring back means comprised in the coupling arrangement, which spring back means urges the contact region towards a neutral position, which in the shown example is positioned approximately at the longitudinal centre of the contact surfaces 126, 154.

[0057] Figs. 5a-c illustrate an upper chassis section 210 and a lower 250 chassis section of an inline roller skate according to a second embodiment. This embodiment resembles the first embodiment to a great extent but differs in that the front 270 and rear 272 resilient members are formed of helical extension springs instead of helical compression springs as at the first embodiment.

[0058] Fig. 5a illustrates the upper 210 and lower 250 chassis sections when the upper chassis section has assumed the neutral position, wherein the momentary contact region CR of the first 226 and second 254 contact surface is positioned approximately at the longitudinal centre portion of the first 226 and second 254 contact surfaces. In the longitudinal sections shown in figs 5a-c only one 270 of two front resilient members and one 272 of two rear resilient members are shown. The front 270 resilient members are received in a respective front cavity 264 and the rear resilient members 272 are received in a respective rear cavity 266, which front 264 and rear 266 cavities are arranged in the lower chassis section 250.

[0059] Each front resilient member 270 has a hooked lower end which engages a first front tensioning member 222a, which is fixed to the lower chassis section 250 and extends transversely through the front cavity 264. Each front resilient member 270 also has a hooked upper end which extends up to the upper chassis section 210 and engages a second front tensioning member 222b which is fixed relative to the upper chassis section 210.

[0060] Correspondingly, each rear resilient member 272 has a hooked lower end which engages a first rear tensioning member 224a which is fixed to the lower chassis section 250 and extends transversely through the rear cavity 266. Each rear resilient member 272 also has a hooked upper end which extends up to the upper chassis section 210 and engages a second rear tensioning member 224b which is fixed relative to the upper chassis section 210.

[0061] In the neutral position shown in fig. 5a the front resilient members 270 and the rear resilient members 272 are relaxed. However, at non-shown alternative embodiments the front 270 and rear 272 resilient members may be preloaded by being somewhat stretched between the respective first tensioning members 222a, 224a and second tensioning members 222b, 224b.

[0062] Fig. 5b illustrates the upper 210 and lower 250 chassis after forward rolling of the upper chassis section 210 relative to the lower chassis section 250. As in the previously described embodiment, the momentary contact region CR hereby has moved forward to a position at the front ends of the first 226 and second 254 contact surfaces. By this means the second rear tensioning member 224b has been lifted away from the first rear tensioning member 224a whereby the rear resilient members 272 have been stretched and thereby loaded. Simultaneously, the second front tensioningmember 222b has been lowered closer to the first front tensioning member 222a, thereby leaving the front resilient members 270 relaxed. Hence, during and after forward rolling, only the rear resilient members 272 are loaded to thereby urge the upper chassis section to reassume its neutral position shown in fig. 5a.

[0063] Fig 5c illustrates the upper 210 and lower 250 chassis sections after rearward rolling. Here, the momentary contact region CR has moved rearwardly to a position at the rear ends of the first 226 and second 254 contact surfaces. By this means the second front tensioning member 222b has been lifted away from the first front tensioning member 222a whereby the front resilient members 270 have been stretched and thereby loaded. Simultaneously, the second rear tensioning member 224b has been lowered closer to the first rear tensioning member 224a, thereby leaving the rear resilient members 272 relaxed. Hence, during and after rearward rolling, only the front resilient members 270 are loaded to thereby urge the upper chassis section 210 to reassume its neutral position shown in fig 5a.

[0064] Figs 6a-c illustrate an upper chassis section 310 and a lower 350 chassis section of an inline roller skate according to a third embodiment. This embodiment resembles the first and second embodiments but differs in that it comprises only a single resilient member 370 which forms a longitudinally extending leaf spring.

[0065] The upper chassis section 310 exhibits a curved first contact surface 326 arranged on a downwardly facing surface of an insert 328 and a planar second contact surface arranged at the lower chassis section 350.

[0066] The longitudinally extending resilient member 370 is fixed to the lower chassis section 350 at the front end 370a and the rear end 370b of the resilient member 370. As in the first embodiment, the upper chassis section 310 exhibits two front protruding portions which overlaps the lower chassis section 350 and which are mutually connected by means of a transverse front tensioning member 322. The upper chassis section 310 further exhibits two rear protruding portions which overlaps the lower chassis section 350 and which are mutually connected by means of a transverse rear tensioning member 324. The front 322 and rear 324 tensioning members extend transversely below the resilient member 370.

[0067] Fig. 6a illustrates the upper 310 and lower 350 chassis sections when the upper chassis section has assumed the neutral position, wherein the momentarycontact region CR of the first 326 and second 354 contact surface is positioned approximately at the longitudinal centre portion of the first 326 and second 354 contact surfaces. At this position the front tensioning member 322 and the rear tensioning member 234 may contact the lower surface of the resilient member 370 but they do not deform the resilient member such that the resilient member 370 is relaxed. At non-shown embodiments however the resilient member 370 maybe pretensioned in the neutral position, e.g. by arranging the front 222 and rear 324 tensioning members vertically above the fixed ends 370a, 370b of the resilient member 370.

[0068] At fig. 6b the upper chassis section 310 has been forwardly rolled relative to the lower chassis section 350-. As in the previously described embodiments, the momentary contact region CR hereby has moved forward to a position at the front ends of the first 326 and second 354 contact surfaces. By this means the rear tensioning member 324 has been lifted relative to the lower chassis section 350 and thereby deformed and loaded the resilient member 370. Simultaneously, the front tensioning member 322 has been lowered away from the resilient member 370, thereby leaving the resilient member 370 uninfluenced.

[0069] Fig 6c illustrates the upper 310 and lower 350 chassis sections after rearward rolling. Here, the momentary contact region CR has moved rearward to a position at the rear ends of the first 326 and second 354 contact surfaces. During such backward rolling the rear tensioning member 324 has first been urged downwardly by the initially loaded resilient member 370 and, after passage of the neutral position shown in fig. 6a, the rear tensioning member 324 has been lowered away from the resilient member. Simultaneously, the front tensioning member 322 has first been lifted up into contact with the resilient member 370. After passage of the neutral position, the front tensioning member 322 has been lifted further such that the resilient member 370 becomes deformed and thereby loaded.

[0070] When the external force applied by the user for achieving forward or rearward rolling is released the loaded resilient member 370 urges the upper chassis section back to the neutral position shown in fig. 6a.

[0071] The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments and examples thereof. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosedabove are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. For example, the curved contact surface maybe arranged on the lower chassis section, instead of being arranged at the upper chassis as shown in the figures and described above. Alternatively, both the upper and lower chassis section may exhibit a curved contact surface. At some embodiments, the curved contact surface does not need to extend longitudinally along the entire length of one or both contact surfaces. Instead at such embodiments, only a portion of one or both contact surfaces may be curved. At the shown embodiments the inline roller skate comprises three wheels. However, the lower chassis section may instead be provided with four, five or a greater number of wheels. Where applicable and irrespective of the number of wheels it may be advantageous that the front resilient member or members is / are arranged longitudinally between the frontmost wheel and the adjacent wheel and that the rear resilient member or members is / are arranged longitudinally between the rearmost wheel and the adjacent wheel. At the first and second embodiment described above, the spring back means comprises two front resilient members and two rear resilient members. However, at non-shown embodiments the spring back means may comprise a single or more than two front resilient members. Correspondingly the spring back means may comprise a single or more than two rear resilient members. At a further non-shown embodiment, the spring back means may be arranged to urge the movable cassis section to a neutral position at which the momentary contact region is positioned at any desirable distance in front of or behind the central portion of the first and second contact surfaces.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An inline roller skate, which comprises;- an upper chassis section (no, 210, 310) comprising a first contact surface (126, 226, 326),- a lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) comprising a second contact surface (154, 254, 354), and- a coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means, which coupling arrangement is arranged to mechanically connect the upper (no, 210, 310) and lower (150, 250, 350) chassis sections, wherein at least one of the first (126, 226, 326) and second (154, 254, 354) contact surfaces comprises a curved portion, wherein the coupling arrangement is arranged to allow the upper chassis section (110, 210, 310) to pivot relative to the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) by rolling contact motion between the first (126, 226, 326) and second (154, 254, 354) contact surface such that a momentary contact region (CR) of the first (126, 226, 326) and second (154, 254, 354) contact surfaces moves back and forth along the curved portion, wherein the spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region (CR) towards a neutral position, wherein the spring back means comprises at least one resilient member (lyoa-b, i72a-b, 270, 272, 370) which is fixed relative to one of the upper chassis section (no, 210, 310) and the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350), a front tensioning member (122, 222, 322) and a rear tensioning member (124, 224, 324), which tensioning members (122, 124, 222, 224, 322, 324) are fixed relative to the other of the upper (110, 210, 310) and lower (150, 250, 350) chassis section and arranged to tension a corresponding resilient member (i oa-b, i72a-b, 270, 272, 370) upon rolling contact motion from the neutral position, for urging the momentary region (CR) towards the neutral position, and wherein the front tensioning member (122, 222, 322) is arranged to tension the corresponding resilient member (lyoa-b, 270, 370) only when the momentary contact region (CR) moves from the neutral position in a first direction and the rear tensioning member (124, 224a-b, 324) is arranged to tension the correspondingresilient member (iy2a-b, 272, 370) only when the momentary contact region (CR) moves from the neutral position in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

2. An inline roller skate according to claim 1, wherein the spring back means comprises at least one front resilient member (lyoa-b, 270) arranged to be tensioned by the front tensioning member (122, 222a-b) and at least one rear resilient member (i72a-b, 272) arranged to be tensioned by the rear tensioning member (124, 224a-b).

3. An inline roller skate according to claim 2, wherein the at least one front resilient member (lyoa-b, 270) is arranged to be tensioned when the momentary contact region (CR) moves rearward from the neutral position and wherein the at least one rear resilient member (i72a-b, 272) is arranged to be tensioned when the momentary contact region (CR) moves forward from the neutral position.

4. An inline roller skate according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spring back means comprises two front resilient members (lyoa-b, 270) and two rear resilient members (i72a-b, 272).

5. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein the front tensioning member (122, 322) and the rear tensioning member (124, 324) are fixed to or formed integral with a respective protruding portion (n8a-b, i2oa-b) of one (no, 310) of the upper and lower chassis section, which protruding portion (n8a-b, 120a- b) overlaps the other (150, 350) of the upper and lower chassis section.

6. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1 - 5, wherein the at least one resilient member (lyoa-b, i72a-b, 270, 272, 370) is integrated in either of the upper (110, 210, 310) or the lower (150, 250, 350) chassis section.

7. An inline roller skate according to claim 6, wherein the at least one resilient member (i7oa-b, i72a-b, 270, 272, 370) is integrated in the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350).

8. An inline roller skate according to claim 7, wherein the at least one resilient member (i7oa-b, i72a-b, 270, 272, 370) is received in a respective cavity (164, 166, 264, 266) in the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350).

9. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 5-8, wherein each protruding portion (n8a-b, i2oa-b) forms part of the upper chassis section (no, 310) and protrudes downwardly overlapping the lower chassis section (150), 350).

10. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 2-9, wherein each of the front (170a, 170b) and rear (172a, 172b) resilient members comprises a respective compression spring.

11. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 2-10, wherein the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) comprises a front wheel (102, 202), at least one intermediate wheel (103, 203) and a rear wheel (104, 204), which wheels are longitudinally aligned, wherein the front resilient member (lyoa-b, 270) is arranged longitudinally between the front wheel (102, 202) and an adjacent intermediate wheel (103, 203) and wherein the rear resilient member (i72a-b, 272) is arranged longitudinally between the rear wheel (104, 204) and an adjacent intermediate wheel (103, 203).

12. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the first contact surface (126, 226, 326) is arranged on an exchangeable insert (128, 228, 328) which is removably fixed to the upper (no, 210, 310) or lower (150, 250, 350) chassis section.

13. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the length of the curved portion constitutes 10 - 95%, preferably 25 - 90 %, most preferably 40 - 60% of the length of first (126, 226, 326) and / or second contact surface.

14. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the curvature of the curved portion has a constant radius over its entire length.

15. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-14, wherein at least a portion of the curved portion exhibits a constant curvature having a radius of > 0,5 m, preferably 0,6— 3,0 m.

16. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-15, wherein at least a portion of the curved portion exhibits a curvature and a length which are arranged such that the maximum pivot angle is 1— 12 °, preferably 2— 50, when the contact region (CR) moves along the curved portion of the of the first (126, 226, 326) or second contact surface.

17. An inline roller skate according to any of claims 1-16, wherein the upper chassis section (no, 210, 310) is fixed to a boot (101) for receiving the foot of a user and the lower chassis section (150, 250, 350) comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels (102, 103, 104, 202, 203, 204).

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