ROLLER FOR A SKATING DEVICE

Abstract

A roller for a skating device comprising a first material having a minimum elastic modulus of 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa and/or the maximum elastic modulus of the first material having 10 GPa, preferably at most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A roller for a skating device comprising an outer section being formed of a first material, wherein the first material comprises an elastic modulus in a range of E=1 GPa to E=10 GPa.

26. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein the first material comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2 GPa to E=5 GPa.

27. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein the first material comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2.9 GPa to E=3.1 GPa.

28. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, comprising a layer being formed of the first material and a core having a second material.

29. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25 wherein a circumferential surface of the roller comprising a substantially concave shape, a cylindrical form, or an hourglass form.

30. The roller for a skating device according to claim 29, the circumferential surface of the roller comprising two truncated right circular cones connected together on the smaller diameter faces.

31. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, comprising an angle between an axis of the roller and the surface of the roller wherein a is in a range of =10 degrees to =25 degrees.

32. The roller for a skating device according to claim 31, comprising a second angle further bending the surface of the roller.

33. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein a Poisson's ratio of the roller is in a range of =0.30 to =0.45.

34. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein a weight of the roller is in a range of 20 g to 100 g.

35. The roller for a skating device according to claim 34, wherein the weight of the roller is in a range of 47 g to 53 g.

36. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein an outer diameter (D) of the roller is in a range of 2 cm to 4 cm.

37. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, further comprising a section having a concave shape and is adapted to provide contact with a ball at one point, at one contacting surface or at an elliptical surface.

38. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25 wherein, the roller is adapted to rotate using an axle, which is arranged to pass centrally through the roller, further the axle is configured to be connected to the roller using a bearing or a sliding surface and allow the roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis.

39. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, further comprising a pattern on the surface of the roller, said pattern configured to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability and color.

40. A skating device comprising two or more rollers according to claim 25, and further comprising a chassis and a support for fixing to a boot.

41. A method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device particularly according to claim 25, allowing a minimum weight of the roller to be 30 g, and a maximum weight to be 60 g.

42. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to comprise a section which concave and is adapted to provide contact with a ball at one point or contacting surface, or an elliptical surface.

43. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to rotate using a rotational axis, wherein, the rotational axis is arranged to pass centrally through the roller, and is configured to be connected to the roller by using a bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allow the roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis.

44. The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to further comprise to comprise a pattern on the surface of the roller, used to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, and/or to comprise a design and/or a text.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to give further understanding of the invention, without limiting the scope.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller according to one of the embodiments hereof;

[0043] FIGS. 2a-2b depict aspects of a roller according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the skating device as a whole comprising at least one ball and a chassis.

DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the following description, a series of elements is described. The skilled person will appreciate that unless specified by the context, the number or the position of elements is not critical for the resulting configuration and its effect.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller 20 comprising an axle 25, a ball bearing 30 and a surface 22 according to one of the embodiments of the invention. The skating device 1 (FIG. 3) can be adapted to provide a skater an experience to some extent comparable to the one of ice-skating and/or roller skating. To achieve this kind of experience, the device is adapted to allow balls 15 to rotate in all directions where friction depends on the direction of rotation of the ball, where the minimal friction can be in the forward/backward direction of a skating device 1, and the maximal friction is in the direction perpendicular to the forward/backward one. The rollers 20 keep the balls 15 (FIG. 3) at their position within the skating device 1. The individual ball 15 (FIG. 3) can have contact to the roller 20 comprising a substantially concave shape, at least at one point, preferably at two points. In this embodiment the roller 20 is resting on an axle in abutment with a ball bearing. However, it should be understood, that any other bearing is admissible. For instance, a fixed axle can be provided and the revolving motion of the rollers is conferred via bearings 30 at the support between the axle 25 and the chassis 5.

[0047] A section and/or layer 27 comprising the first material can be seen attached over a core of a second material to on the one hand enable various properties and on the other hand ensure friction amounting as little as possible between the roller 20 and the ball 15 (FIG. 3).

[0048] FIG. 2a The roller 20 in this embodiment comprises an hourglass shape with one truncated right circular cone 23 inversely interposed, with a second truncated right circular cone 23 at their smaller diameters. At the location of the junction of the two cones a spacer can be fitted, the spacer can have cylindrical and/or a polygonal or similar shape. The outer diameter D to the inner diameter d are dimensioned so that a preferred angle can be achieved. The angle is the angle between the axle 25 and the surface 22.

[0049] The surface 22 can be attached to the core 23. This assembly 23 and 22 can be rotationally attached to the axle 25. In this embodiment the core 23 is secured to at least one ball bearing 30 to realize little friction while the roller 20 is rotating.

[0050] FIG. 2b focuses on the angle(s) of the surface 22 of the roller 20. Angle represents the angle between the axis 25 (FIG. 2a) of the roller 20 and the surface 22 of the roller 20. This angle can be assumed to allow the ball 15 to be guided by the rollers 20 suffering from as little as possible friction to enable ease of use of the skating device 1.

[0051] Angle can be provided to prevent, in case of harsh breaking or transverse maneuver by the user, the ball 15 to escape from the intended position of the roller 20.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the skating device 1 as a whole comprising at least one ball 15 and a chassis 5.

EMBODIMENTS

[0053] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the disclosure is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0054] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0055] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to fulfill aspects of the present invention. The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here a relative term, such as about, substantially, ca., generally, at least, at the most or approximately is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., substantially straight should be construed to also include (exactly) straight. In other words, about 3 shall also comprise 3 or substantially perpendicular shall also comprise perpendicular. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[0056] In the claims, the terms comprises/comprising, including, having, and contain and their variations should be understood as meaning including but not limited to, and are not intended to exclude other components. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.

[0057] Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be the preferred order, but it may not be mandatory to carry out the steps in the recited order. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may not be mandatory. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like after or before are used.

[0058] It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0059] Use of exemplary language, such as for instance, such as, for example and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0060] All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.