BALL FOR A SKATING DEVICE

Abstract

A ball comprising a first material having an elastic modulus of at least E=0.60 GPa, preferably at least E=0.70 GPa and more preferably at least E=0.73 GPa and/or a maximum elastic modulus of E=5 GPa, preferably at most E=3 GPa, more preferably at most E=1 GPa and even more preferably at most E=0.74 GPa, the first material defining at least an outermost section of the ball.

Claims

1. A ball for a skating device, the ball comprising a first material having an elastic modulus in a range E=0.60 GPa to E=5 GPa, the first material defining at least an outermost section of the ball.

2. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the first material has an elastic modulus of about E=0.73 GPa to about E=0.74 GPa.

3. The ball for a skating device according to claim 1, further comprising a core having a second material being less elastic than the first material, circumferenced by at least one concentric outer layer comprising the elastic modulus of the first material.

4. The ball for a skating device according to claim 1, wherein a Poisson's ratio of the ball and/or of an outer layer is in a range =0.30 to =0.50.

5. The ball according to claim 4, wherein the Poisson's ratio of the ball and/or the outer layer is about =0.41.

6. The ball for a skating device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the ball is in a range of 20 mm to 100 mm.

7. The ball according to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the ball is in the range 58 mm and 80 mm.

8. The ball for a skating device according to claim 1, wherein a hardness of the ball and/or an outer layer is in a range 40 D to 90 D.

9. The ball according to claim 8, wherein the hardness is about 65 D.

10. The ball for a skating device according to claim 1, further comprising a pattern on a surface of the ball, said pattern configured to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, or to comprise one of a design or a text.

11. A skating device comprising a three to eight balls according to claim 1.

12. The skating device comprising a ball according to claim 1, further comprising one of a chassis or a support for fixing to a boot.

13. A method for manufacturing a ball for a skating device particularly according to claim 1, providing a ball with a minimum elastic modulus in a range from E=0.60 GPa to E=5 GPa, the first material defining at least an outermost section of the ball.

14. The method of claim 1, providing the ball with a minimum elastic modulus of about E=0.73 GPa to about E=0.74 GPa, the first material defining at least the outermost section of the ball.

15. The method of claim 13, providing the ball with a minimum Poisson's ratio and/ or an outer layer to be in a range =0.30 to =0.50.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ball and/or the outer layer has a minimum Poisson's ratio of about =0.41.

17. The method of claim 13, the method comprising: providing a diameter of the ball in a range of 20 mm to 100 mm.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the diameter of the ball is in the range 58 mm to 80 mm.

19. The method for manufacturing a skating device comprising at least one ball according to claim 13.

20. The method for manufacturing the skating device comprising the ball according to claim 13, providing the skating device to further comprise a chassis and a support for fixing to a boot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teaching in any way.

[0037] FIG. 1 exemplifies a schematic view of a skating device comprising balls 15 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 exemplifies a cross section of an embodiment of a ball 15, according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a skating device 1 comprising balls 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The skating device 1 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.

[0042] FIG. 2 The ball 15 can consist of one single material. However, the ball 15 can also comprise a core 16. Core 16 can or cannot be made of the same material as the rest of the ball 15 as a whole. Various materials can be provided to achieve special properties which may differ for distinct applications. A high performance user might prefer other properties of the balls 15 than an average user. Nevertheless, an outermost portion 17 can be further provided and can consist of a material hard enough to withstand abrasion and/or environmental effect as could be the influence of environmental chemicals and/or UV rays etc. The outermost surface may also be adapted to special necessities as could be a higher adhesion to the ground for instance in a gymnasium or on walkways.

Embodiments

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.