US20030214104A1

US20030214104A1 - Roller skate having a safety device

Info

Publication number: US20030214104A1
Application number: US10/350,065
Authority: US
Inventors: Chuck Chang
Original assignee: LOTUSKATE SPORTS INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Current assignee: LOTUSKATE SPORTS INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-17
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: DE10303209B3

Abstract

A roller skate includes a fixing seat, a plurality of wheels, and a safety device mounted on the wheel. The safety device includes a safety member mounted on the fixing seat and urged on the wheel, so as to adjust a rotation speed of the wheel. Thus, the roller skate can be fixed on the ground without rotation by the safety device, so that the learner can stand on the roller skate without movement so as to practice his/her balance. In addition, the safety member is slightly loosened from the wheels, so that the wheels are rotated at a lower speed, thereby facilitating the learner practicing the skating skill.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a roller skate having a safety device, and more particularly to a roller skate having a safety device, wherein the roller skate can be fixed on the ground without movement by the safety device, so that the learner can stably stand on the roller skate without movement so as to practice his/her balance.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional roller skate in accordance with the prior art comprises a toe stop mounted on the front side of the base frame so as to provide a braking effect. However, the roller skate cannot be fixed on the ground without movement, so that the learner cannot stand on the roller skate to practice his/her balance, thereby causing inconvenience to the learner. In addition, the toe stop cannot stop the roller skate at a higher speed, thereby causing danger to the user or the learner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional roller skate.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a roller skate having a safety device, wherein the roller skate can be fixed on the ground without rotation by the safety device, so that the learner can stand on the roller skate without movement so as to practice his/her balance.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a roller skate having a safety device, wherein when the learner can stand on the roller skate steadily and stably, the safety member is slightly loosened from the first and fourth wheels, so that the first and fourth wheels are rotated at a lower speed, thereby facilitating the learner practicing the skating skill.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a roller skate, comprising:

a fixing seat;

a plurality of wheels each rotatably mounted on the fixing seat;

a safety device mounted on at least one of the wheels, wherein:

the safety device includes a safety member mounted on the fixing seat and urged on the at least one wheel, so as to adjust a rotation speed of the at least one wheel.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; [0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; [0016]
FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; [0017]
FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; [0019]
FIG. 7 is a perspective assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0020]
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a safety device of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0021]
FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and [0022]
FIG. 10 is a plan cross-sectional assembly view of the roller skate having a safety device in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention.[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. [0024] 1-3, a roller skate (or in-line roller skate, skateboard, scooter or the like) 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixing seat 12, and a plurality of wheels 11 each rotatably mounted on the fixing seat 12. The roller skate 10 further comprises a safety device mounted on at least one of the wheels 11.
The safety device includes a [0025] safety member 21 mounted on the fixing seat 12 and urged on the wheel 11, so as to adjust a rotation speed of the wheel 11. The fixing seat 12 is formed with a threaded positioning portion 13 (such as a screw bore). The safety member 21 includes a threaded adjusting portion 210 (such as a threaded rod) screwed into the positioning portion 13 of the fixing seat 12, a brake portion 211 formed on a first end of the adjusting portion 210 and rested on a rim of the wheel 11, and a circular adjusting knob 212 formed on a second end of the adjusting portion 210 for rotating the adjusting portion 210. In such a manner, the brake portion 211 of the safety member 21 rubs the rim of the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect. In addition, the rim of each of the wheels 11 is provided with a rubbing member 110 (see FIG. 3) made of wear-resistant material rested on the brake portion 211 of the safety member 21 to enhance the rubbing effect.
In practice, the [0026] safety member 21 can be mounted on the front end and the rear end of the fixing seat 12 to lock the first and fourth wheels 11, thereby fixing the first and fourth wheels 11 on the fixing seat 12 by the safety member 21, so that the roller skate 10 is fixed on the ground without rotation. Thus, the learner can stand on the roller skate 10 without movement so as to practice his/her balance sensation. When the learner can stand on the roller skate 10 steadily and stably, the safety member 21 is slightly loosened from the first and fourth wheels 11, so that the first and fourth wheels 11 are rotated at a lower speed, thereby facilitating the learner practicing the skating skill.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a [0027] roller skate 10A in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein each of the wheels 11 has a plurality of spokes 111. The safety device includes a safety member 21A mounted on the fixing seat 12 and including a threaded adjusting portion 210A (such as a threaded rod) screwed into the positioning portion 13 of the fixing seat 12, a passage rod 213A formed on a first end of the adjusting portion 210A and extended through the spokes 111 of the wheel 11, and a circular adjusting knob 212A formed on a second end of the adjusting portion 210A for rotating the adjusting portion 210A. In such a manner, the passage rod 213A of the safety member 21A is extended through the spokes 111 of the wheel 11, so as to stop movement of the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect.
As shown in FIG. 5, the [0028] positioning portion 13 of the fixing seat 12 is undefined. Thus, the passage rod 213A of the safety member 21A is extended through the spokes 111 of the wheel 11, with the adjusting knob 212A and the passage rod 213A being protruded outward from the wheel 11 and rested on the periphery of the fixing seat 12, so as to stop movement of the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect. In addition, the safety device further includes a hex wrench 21′ extended through the spokes 111 of the wheel 11, so as to stop movement of the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect. Preferably, the fixing seat 12 is formed with a hexagonal recess 14 for receiving the hex wrench 21′ when not in use.
Referring to FIG. 6, a [0029] roller skate 10B in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the fixing seat 12B is formed with a positioning portion 13B. The safety device includes a safety member 21B mounted on the fixing seat 12B and including a passage rod 213B extended through the positioning portion 13B of the fixing seat 12B and the spokes 111 of the wheel 11, a circular adjusting knob 212B formed on a first end of the passage rod 213B and rested on the fixing seat 12B, and a protruding stop portion 214B formed on a second end of the passage rod 213B and rested on the fixing seat 12B. Thus, the stop portion 214B is rested on the fixing seat 12B, thereby preventing the safety member 21B from detaching from the wheel 11.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a [0030] roller skate 10C in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the fixing seat 12C is formed with a threaded positioning portion 13C (such as a screw bore) formed with two opposite locking holes 130C. The safety device includes a safety member 21C, and an elastic locking member 22.
The [0031] safety member 21C includes a threaded adjusting portion 210C (such as a threaded rod) screwed into the positioning portion 13C of the fixing seat 12C, a brake portion 211C formed on a first end of the adjusting portion 210C and rested on a rim of the wheel 11, and a circular adjusting knob 212C formed on a second end of the adjusting portion 210C for rotating the adjusting portion 210C. In such a manner, the brake portion 211C of the safety member 21C rubs the rim of the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect. The adjusting knob 212C of the safety member 21C has an inner side formed with a plurality of teeth 215C.
The [0032] elastic locking member 22 is mounted on the adjusting portion 210C of the safety member 21C and is formed with a through hole 220 for passage of the adjusting portion 210C of the safety member 21C. The elastic locking member 22 has a periphery formed with two opposite locking blocks 221 each locked in a respective one of the two opposite locking holes 130C of the fixing seat 12C, and formed with two opposite oblique elastic plates 222 each having a distal end formed with a locking portion 223 engaged with the teeth 215C of the adjusting knob 212C of the safety member 21C.
Referring to FIG. 9, a roller skate in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the [0033] fixing seat 12D is provided with a threaded positioning portion 13D (such as a screw bore) and a threaded fixing hole 120D. The safety device includes a safety member 21D, and an elastic press member 23.
The [0034] safety member 21D includes a threaded adjusting portion 210D (such as a threaded rod) screwed into the positioning portion 13D of the fixing seat 12D, a brake portion 211D formed on a first end of the adjusting portion 210D, and a circular adjusting knob 212D formed on a second end of the adjusting portion 210D for rotating the adjusting portion 210D. Preferably, the positioning portion 13D of the fixing seat 12D is provided with a rubbing member 25 made of wear-resistant material to prevent consumption of material.
The [0035] press member 23 has a first end 231 secured on the fixing seat 12D by a fixing member 24 which is screwed into the fixing hole 120D of the fixing seat 12D and a second end rested on the brake portion 211D of the safety member 21D. The second end of the press member 23 has an inner side formed with a press portion 230 urged on the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect.
Referring to FIG. 10, a roller skate in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the [0036] fixing seat 12E is provided with a threaded positioning portion 13E (such as a screw bore). The safety device includes a safety member 21E, and an elastic press member 23E.
The [0037] safety member 21E includes a threaded adjusting portion 210E (such as a threaded rod) screwed into the positioning portion 13E of the fixing seat 12E, a positioning portion 217E formed on a first end of the adjusting portion 210E and formed with a threaded pulling bore 216E, and a circular adjusting knob 212E formed on a second end of the adjusting portion 210E for rotating the adjusting portion 210E.
The [0038] press member 23E is connected to the safety member 21E by a threaded pulling member 27 (such as a bolt) which is extended through a passage 232E of the press member 23E and is screwed into the pulling bore 216E of the safety member 21E. The press member 23E has an inner side formed with a press portion 230E urged on the wheel 11, thereby producing a safety braking effect.
The safety device further includes an [0039] elastic member 26 mounted on the pulling member 27 and urged between the safety member 21E and the press member 23E. The elastic member 26 has a first end secured on the positioning portion 217E of the safety member 21E and a second end secured on a protruding lug 231E of the press member 23E.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. [0040]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A roller skate, comprising:

a fixing seat;

a plurality of wheels each rotatably mounted on the fixing seat;

a safety device mounted on at least one of the wheels, wherein:

2. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixing seat is formed with a positioning portion, and the safety member includes an adjusting portion extended through the positioning portion of the fixing seat, a brake portion formed on a first end of the adjusting portion and rested on a rim of the wheel, and a circular adjusting knob formed on a second end of the adjusting portion for rotating the adjusting portion.

3. The roller skate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the positioning portion of the fixing seat is a screw bore.

4. The roller skate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the adjusting portion of the safety member is a threaded rod.

5. The roller skate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the rim of each of the wheels is provided with a rubbing member made of wear-resistant material rested on the brake portion of the safety member.

6. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the wheels has a plurality of spokes, the fixing seat is formed with a positioning portion, and the safety member includes an adjusting portion extended through the positioning portion of the fixing seat, a passage rod formed on a first end of the adjusting portion and extended through the spokes of the wheel, and a circular adjusting knob formed on a second end of the adjusting portion for rotating the adjusting portion.

7. The roller skate in accordance with claim 6, wherein the passage rod of the safety member is extended through the spokes of the wheel, with the adjusting knob and the passage rod being protruded outward from the wheel and rested on the periphery of the fixing seat, so as to stop movement of the wheel.

8. The roller skate in accordance with claim 6, wherein the safety device further includes a hex wrench extended through the spokes of the wheel, so as to stop movement of the wheel.

9. The roller skate in accordance with claim 8, wherein the fixing seat is formed with a hexagonal recess for receiving the hex wrench.

10. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the wheels has a plurality of spokes, the fixing seat is formed with a positioning portion, and the safety member includes a passage rod extended through the positioning portion of the fixing seat and the spokes of the wheel, a circular adjusting knob formed on a first end of the passage rod and rested on the fixing seat, and a protruding stop portion formed on a second end of the passage rod and rested on the fixing seat.

11. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixing seat is formed with a threaded positioning portion formed with two opposite locking holes, the safety device includes a safety member, and an elastic locking member, wherein:

the safety member includes a threaded adjusting portion screwed into the positioning portion of the fixing seat, a brake portion formed on a first end of the adjusting portion and rested on a rim of the wheel, and a circular adjusting knob formed on a second end of the adjusting portion for rotating the adjusting portion; and

the locking member is secured on the safety member and has a periphery formed with two opposite locking blocks each locked in a respective one of the two opposite locking holes of the fixing seat.

12. The roller skate in accordance with claim 11, wherein the adjusting knob of the safety member has an inner side formed with a plurality of teeth, and the periphery of the locking member is formed with two opposite oblique elastic plates each having a distal end formed with a locking portion engaged with the teeth of the adjusting knob of the safety member.

13. The roller skate in accordance with claim 11, wherein the elastic locking member is formed with a through hole for passage of the adjusting portion of the safety member.

14. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixing seat is provided with a threaded positioning portion, and the safety device includes a safety member, and an elastic press member, wherein:

the safety member includes a threaded adjusting portion screwed into the positioning portion of the fixing seat, a brake portion formed on a first end of the adjusting portion, and a circular adjusting knob formed on a second end of the adjusting portion for rotating the adjusting portion; and

the press member has a first end secured on the fixing seat and a second end rested on the brake portion of the safety member, the second end of the press member has an inner side formed with a press portion urged on the wheel.

15. The roller skate in accordance with claim 14, wherein the fixing seat is provided with a threaded fixing hole, and the safety device further includes a fixing member extended through the first end of the press member and screwed into the fixing hole of the fixing seat for fixing the first end of the press member on the fixing seat.

16. The roller skate in accordance with claim 14, wherein the positioning portion of the fixing seat is provided with a rubbing member made of wear-resistant material.

17. The roller skate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixing seat is provided with a threaded positioning portion, and the safety device includes a safety member, and an elastic press member, wherein:

the safety member includes a threaded adjusting portion screwed into the positioning portion of the fixing seat, a positioning portion formed on a first end of the adjusting portion and formed with a threaded pulling bore, and a circular adjusting knob formed on a second end of the adjusting portion for rotating the adjusting portion; and

the press member is connected to the safety member by a threaded pulling member which is extended through a passage of the press member and is screwed into the pulling bore of the safety member.

18. The roller skate in accordance with claim 17, wherein the press member has an inner side formed with a press portion urged on the wheel.

19. The roller skate in accordance with claim 17, wherein the safety device further includes an elastic member mounted on the pulling member and urged between the safety member and the press member.

20. The roller skate in accordance with claim 19, wherein the elastic member has a first end secured on the positioning portion of the safety member and a second end secured on a protruding lug of the press member.