In-Line Skate Braking System

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an in-line skate braking system designed to brake in-line skate wheels. This is achieved by an electric motor controlling the action of the brake segment on in-line skate wheels.

Claims

1. An in-line skate braking system containing a brake segment (10), wherein the in-line skate braking system further comprises a base plate (1) on which is mounted a battery powered electric motor (2) with a lever (3) of the electric motor (2), wherein the electric motor (2) is connected to a controller, and a pin (6) with a gripping arm (5) located at the edge of the base plate (1), wherein the pin (6) is oriented parallel to the plane of the base plate (1) and provides a rotatable connection of the gripping arm (5) to the base plate (1), a pressure element (7) provided with a brake segment (10) is slidingly attached to the gripping arm (5), and, spaced apart from the pin (6), the gripping arm (5) is connected by a hinge to a rod (4) that is connected at the other end by a hinge to the lever (3) of the electric motor (2).

2. An in-line skate comprising a wheel (17) holder (15) attached to the sole, comprising two parallel walls (16) with wheels (17) mounted rotatably between their inner sides, which are fastened by central wheel (17) bolts (11), and comprising an in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (1) has two through apertures (12) with an elongated, preferably rectangular, shape formed therein.

3. An in-line skate comprising a battery powered electric motor (2) connected to a lever (3) which is further connected by a hinge to a rod (4), and further comprising a wheel (17) holder (15) attached to the sole, comprising two parallel walls (16) with wheels (17) mounted rotatably between their inner sides, which are fastened by central wheel (17) bolts (11), wherein a pin (6) with a gripping arm (5) is further located at the lower edge of the wall (16) of the wheel (17) holder (15), wherein the pin (6) is oriented parallel to the plane of the wall (16) of the wheel (17) holder (15) and provides a rotatable connection of the gripping arm (5) to the wall (16) of the wheel (17) holder (15), wherein a pressure element (7) provided with a brake segment (10) is attached to the gripping arm (5), wherein said battery powered electric motor (2) is mounted on the outer side of at least one wall (16) of the wheel (17) holder (15) and it is connected to a controller and said rod (4) spaced apart from the pin (6) is connected by a hinge to said gripping arm (5).

4. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element (7) consists of a first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) and a second arm (9) of the pressure element (7), which form a single unit, wherein the connection of the pressure element (7) to the gripping arm (5) is realized by means of the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) connected to the side of the gripping arm (5) spaced apart from the base plate (1), and at the same time, the pressure element (7) is oriented so that the place of joining the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) and the second arm (9) of the pressure element (7) is in the vicinity of the pin (6), a brake segment (10) is located on the second arm (9) of the pressure element (7), from the side opposite the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7).

5. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 4 wherein the first and second arms of the pressure element (7) form an angle of 70 to 110.

6. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 4 wherein the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) is connected by means of adjustment bolts (13) to the gripping arm (5), wherein the adjustment bolts (13) pass through holes (14) made in the gripping arm (5) and in the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7), wherein in at least one of them the hole (14) is approximately rectangular in shape.

7. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor (2) is a servomotor or a stepper motor.

8. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor (2) is controllable by a controller in a wireless manner.

9. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, wherein the brake segment (10) is of rubber, polyurethane, or other adhesive material.

10. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the in-line skate braking system further comprises a battery located on the wheel (17) holder (15), or attached to the in-line skate.

11. The in-line skate braking system according to claim 1, further comprising a battery located on the base plate (1).

12. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the width of the brake segment (10) is smaller than the distance of the central bolts (11) of two adjacent wheels (17) and, at the same time, greater than the distance between the edges of two adjacent wheels (17) at the level of contact of the brake segment (10) with the wheels (17), wherein the brake segment (10) is centered between two adjacent wheels (17).

13. The in-line skate according to claim 12, wherein the two adjacent wheels (17) between which the brake segment (10) is centered, are two inner wheels (17).

14. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the pressure element (7) consists of a first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) and a second arm (9) of the pressure element (7), which form a single unit, wherein the connection of the pressure element (7) to the gripping arm (5) is realized by means of the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) connected to the side of the gripping arm (5) spaced apart from the base plate (1), and at the same time, the pressure element (7) is oriented so that the place of joining the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) and the second arm (9) of the pressure element (7) is in the vicinity of the pin (6), a brake segment (10) is located on the second arm (9) of the pressure element (7), from the side opposite the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7).

15. The in-line skate according to claim 14 wherein the first and second arms of the pressure element (7) form an angle of 70 to 110.

16. The in-line skate according to claim 14 wherein the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7) is connected by means of adjustment bolts (13) to the gripping arm (5), wherein the adjustment bolts (13) pass through holes (14) made in the gripping arm (5) and in the first arm (8) of the pressure element (7), wherein in at least one of them the hole (14) is approximately rectangular in shape.

17. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the electric motor (2) is a servomotor or a stepper motor.

18. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the electric motor (2) is controllable by a controller in a wireless manner.

19. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the brake segment (10) is of rubber, polyurethane, or other adhesive material.

20. The in-line skate according to claim 2, wherein the in-line skate braking system further comprises a battery located on the base plate (1).

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The in-line skate braking system of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 comprises a base plate 1 on which an electric motor 2 is located. The electric motor 2 is, for example, a servomotor or a stepper motor. The electric motor 2 can be controlled by a wired controller or, preferably, by means of a wireless controller. The movement of the electric motor 2 axis is transmitted via the lever 3 of the electric motor 2 by means of a joint to the rod 4 and at the other end of the rod 4 by a joint to the gripping arm 5 which is attached to the pin 6 located at the edge of the base plate 1. The pin 6 provides for the rotatable connection of the gripping arm 5 with the base plate 1 and is oriented parallel to the plane of the base plate 1. The gripping arm 5 and pin 6 can be in the form of a hinge. The coupling of the rod 4 with the gripping arm 5 is spaced apart from the pin 6. A pressure element 7 is attached to the gripping arm 5 on the side spaced apart from the base plate 1.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, a wheel 17 holder 15 comprising two parallel walls 16 is attached to the in-line skate sole, wherein an electric motor 2 is located on the outside of at least one wall 16. The wheels 17 are rotatably mounted between the walls 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15. The electric motor 2 is, for example, a servomotor or a stepper motor. The electric motor 2 can be connected to the controller in a wired or, preferably, wireless manner. The movement of the electric motor 2 axis is transmitted via the lever 3 of the electric motor 2 by means of a joint to the rod 4 and at the opposite end of the rod by a joint to the gripping arm 5, attached to the pin 6 located at the lower edge of the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15 with electric motor 2. The pin 6 is oriented parallel to the plane of the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15 and provides for the rotatable connection of the gripping arm 5 with the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15. The gripping arm 5 and pin 6 can be in the form of a hinge. The coupling of the rod 4 with the gripping arm 5 is spaced apart from the pin 6. A pressure element 7 is attached to the gripping arm 5 on the side spaced apart from the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15 with electric motor 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, the pressure element 7 consists of a first arm 8 of the pressure element 7 and a second arm 9 of the pressure element 7, these arms of the pressure element 7 forming one unit and forming an angle, e.g., from 70 to 110. The pressure element 7 is attached to the gripping arm 5 by means of the first arm 8 of the pressure element 7 oriented so, that the second arm 9 of the pressure element 7 is close to the pin 6. This connection may preferably be slidable, for example by means of the holes 14 disposed in the gripping arm 5 and in the first arm 8 of the pressure element 7, through which the adjustment bolts 13 pass, wherein at least one hole 14 is approximately rectangular in shape, and the adjustment bolts 13 ensure that the first arm 8 of the pressure element 7 is locked in a certain position of the holes 14. On the opposite side of the first arm 8, a brake segment 10 made of an adhesive material is located on the second arm 9 of the pressure element 7.

[0028] The brake segment 10 may be, e.g., of rubber or polyurethane. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the brake segment 10 is smaller than the distance of the central bolts 11 of adjacent wheels 17 and, at the same time greater than the distance between the edges of the two adjacent wheels 17 at the level of contact of the brake segment 10 with the wheels 17.

[0029] A battery for powering the electric motor 2 is further attached to the base plate 1. In an alternative embodiment, the battery can be mounted on the wheel 17 holder 15, attached to the in-line skate shoe or integrated in the in-line skate shoe.

[0030] The base plate 1 is a planar structure of various shapes suitable for the positioning of the described elements, and can be centerably connectable to the central bolts 11 of wheels 17, e.g., by means of two through apertures 12 with an elongated, e.g., rectangular shape, disposed in the base plate 1. The base plate 1 can be connectable to one or more central bolts 11 of wheels 17. The central bolts 11 of wheels 17 can be replaced by bolts suitable for fastening the base plate 1, e.g., by bolts with a square countersunk head. In a preferred embodiment, the base plate 1 is centered so that the brake segment 10 is centered between two inner wheels 17. In case of a four-wheel in-line skate, the inner wheels 17 are the second wheel 17 and the third wheel 17, or in case of a five-wheel in-line skate, the second wheel 17 and the third wheel 17 or the third wheel 17 and the fourth wheel 17. In a preferred embodiment, on the side of the base plate 1 on which individual components of the braking system are disposed, a cover protecting the individual components of the braking system may be provided.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, when the electric motor 2, the pin 6 with the gripping arm 5, the pressure element 7 and the brake segment 10 are located on the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15, the brake segment 10 is preferably centered between two inner wheels 17.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, an electronic module can be provided on the base plate 1 or in an alternative embodiment on the wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15, which may also include a signal receiver or a battery charging connector, e.g., USB. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic module may be attached to the wheel holder, shoe, or integrated into the in-line skate shoe.

[0033] In one embodiment, only one in-line skate is braked and thus only one braking system is used, which is attached to the right or left in-line skate on the outside of at least one wall 16 of the wheel 17 holder 15. In a preferred embodiment, both in-line skates are braked and thus two braking systems are used, one on each in-line skate.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the braking system always uses the braking of a pair of wheels 17 on one skate, that is, four wheels 17 are braked in a pair of in-line skates. In case of four-wheel in-line skates, the braking is then braking only of two in-line skate inner wheels 17. In a preferred embodiment, both in-line skates are braked synchronously at the same time, or with a gradual advance of the braking effect of one of the in-line skates.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, both skates are braked synchronously at the same time or with a gradual advance of the braking effect of one of the in-line skates. Thus, the braking force is then transferred to both skates, i.e. four wheels 17.

[0036] Adhesion between the brake segment 10 and wheels 17 is used to brake the wheels 17. The brake segment 10 can be of a shape adapted for the greatest possible contact area with the wheels 17. To ensure the most effective braking effect and at the same time the extended service life of the segment, it is important to place the brake segment 10 close to the axis of rotation, wherein the shape of the brake segment 10 is curved, elliptical or circular.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the wireless connection of the controller with the electric motor can be realized, e.g., by means of radio waves (RC), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or another suitable wireless interface.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0038] 1Base plate [0039] 2Electric motor [0040] 3Lever of the electric motor [0041] 4Rod [0042] 5Gripping arm [0043] 6Pin [0044] 7Pressure element [0045] 8First arm [0046] 9Second arm [0047] 10Brake segment [0048] 11Central bolt [0049] 12Through aperture [0050] 13Adjustment bolts [0051] 14Hole [0052] 15Wheel holder [0053] 16Wheel holder wall [0054] 17Wheel