Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a braking apparatus to be fitted to roller skates, for example ski-roll skates, to decrease the motion speed of a user during use of said roller skates.

Prior art

[0002] Braking apparatuses are known to be fitted to roller skates to decrease the motion speed of a user during use of said roller skates.

[0003] Known braking apparatuses to be fitted to roller skates generally comprise a braking device to be fitted to at least one of the wheels of the skate, and a control device that enables the user to activate the aforesaid braking device in case of necessity.

[0004] There exist for example braking devices of known type that comprise a movable braking lever, which is driven by the control device to come into contact with a surface of the wheel of the skate at which the braking device is fitted. This contact surface is a surface of the tread of the wheel of the skate. This surface can be a side surface or the peripheral surface intended to come into direct contact with, and roll on, the ground.

[0005] Other known braking devices comprise two movable braking levers, which are driven by the control device to come into contact with two surfaces of the wheel of the skate at which the braking device is fitted. These two contact surfaces are side surfaces of the tread of the wheel of the skate.

[0006] The braking device can be activated by the user in different ways. In particular, braking apparatuses are known in which the braking device is directly connected to the control device by a hydraulic system or by a hydraulic system or by a pneumatic system. The document EP2848513 Bl, for example, describes a braking apparatus for roller skates in which the control device comprises a hydraulic system that drives the braking device by a liquid that is able to move an hydraulic cylinder.

[0007] A braking device for inline skates is described for example in DE 100 09 141 Al.

[0008] Other braking apparatuses use electronic systems with communication devices that are rather complex, costly and adversely affect also weight and overall dimensions.

[0009] Braking apparatuses like those that have just been disclosed have some drawbacks. Such braking apparatuses are in fact structurally complex and consequently difficult and expensive to make. The presence of hydraulic or pneumatic systems makes known braking apparatuses hardly cheap. From the structural point of view, a braking device with one or more braking levers acting on the upper or side surfaces of the tread of the wheel means that said tread surfaces of the wheel are subject to wear and the wheel needs to be replaced with a certain frequency, thus increasing the costs of maintenance of the skate. Further, if the one or more braking levers act directly on the upper or side surfaces of the tread, the braking device inevitably comes into contact with dirt and detritus during motion of the roller skate. It is thus necessary to clean the braking device frequently so as not to compromise the efficiency of the braking action of the braking device.

[0010] In the light of what has been set out above, there is thus ample room for improvement of current braking apparatuses.

Objects of the invention

[0011] One object of the invention is to improve current braking apparatuses.

[0012] Another object of the invention is that of providing an alternative braking apparatus to those known and which is able to easily exert an adjustable and controllable braking force that is able to decrease the motion speed and/or stop the motion of a user during use of said roller skates reliably, rapidly and precisely.

[0013] Another object of the invention is that of providing a braking apparatus for roller skates that is structurally simpler and cheaper than existing braking apparatuses but is at the same time secure, efficient and practical to use.

[0014] One object of the invention is that of providing a braking device that is so configured as to significantly reduce maintenance interventions intended to prolong the average life of the braking device, with subsequent lowering of general costs.

[0015] One object of the invention is that of providing a braking apparatus that involves less wear to the wheels of the skate so as to also reduce the cost of maintenance of the roller skates.

[0016] One object of the invention is that of providing a braking apparatus provided with a braking device that does not come into contact with dirt and detritus, so as to eliminate the need to frequently clean the braking device.

[0017] These objects and still others are achieved by a braking apparatus according to what has been claimed.

Short description of the invention

[0018] According to the invention, a braking apparatus for roller skates is provided, for example skates of ski-roll type, as defined in the attached claims.

[0019] The braking apparatus according to the invention comprises a braking device and a control device of said braking device, said control device being drivable manually by a user to diminish, and possibly reduce to zero, speed during the use of roller skates.

[0020] The braking device according to the invention comprises a first and a second braking lever, which are mutually hinged by a single pin, and rotate with respect to a through axis for said pin. The first and second braking levers are connected to a flexible cable that enables the relative position thereof to be modified with respect to the wheel of the skate at which the braking device is fitted. In particular, the braking device according to the invention is configured to act on a rim of the wheel.

[0021] The flexible cable to which the first and second braking levers are connected is a Bowden cable, which comprises an internal flexible cable that is able to move inside an outer hollow sheath. In particular, the inner flexible cable is connected to the first braking lever, whereas the hollow sheath is connected to the second braking lever. The inner flexible cable is also connected to a pulley, protruding from, and operationally connected to, an electric servomotor. The pulley is mechanically splined on a shaft of the electric servomotor, which enables the pulley to rotate around its axis. When the pulley is rotated around its axis, the inner flexible cable winds around, or is unwound from, said pulley, depending on the rotation direction.

[0022] The inner flexible cable, before connecting to the pulley, is connected to a traction spring. This traction spring has the dual function of preventing the electric servomotor from stalling when the braking force is exerted by the user and permitting more precise control of the braking force, which thus enables the motion speed of the user to be decreased until it stops completely.

[0023] When the electric servomotor is activated by the user via the control device, the electric servomotor rotates the pulley, which forces the flexible cable to wind around the pulley. In this manner, the first and second braking levers are brought into contact with the rim. The braking device thus goes to an operating configuration in which a braking friction force is exerted between the braking device and the rim. When on the other hand the braking action is no longer necessary, the user ceases to activate the control device and the electric servomotor imposes a rotation in a direction opposite to the pulley. In this manner, the flexible cable unwinds from the pulley, and the first and second braking levers are returned from a torsion spring to a non-contact position with the rim. The braking device thus moves to a non-operating configuration, in which no braking attrition force between the braking device and the rim is exerted.

Short description of the drawings

[0024] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 A is a interrupted lateral view that shows part of a braking apparatus according to the invention;

Figure IB is a interrupted lateral view that shows a control device comprised in the braking apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a braking device comprised in the braking apparatus of Figure 1A;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the braking device of Figure 2;

Figures 4A-4C are various views of the braking device of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the control device comprised in the braking apparatus of Figure IB;

Figures 6A-6D are various views of the control device of Figure 5.

Detailed description of the invention

[0025] 1 indicates a braking apparatus suitable for being fitted to a roller skate 100, for example a skate of ski-roll type.

[0026] The braking apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises a braking device 2 and a control device 10 to activate said braking device 2.

[0027] The braking device 2 is fitted at one of the wheels of the roller skate. The braking device 2 comprises a first braking lever 3 and a second braking lever 4 that are mutually hinged. In particular, the first braking lever 3 and the second braking lever 4 are hinged reciprocally by a single pin 6. The first 3 and second 4 braking levers, when they are in the rest position, are arranged to form two arms of a U-arrangement. The first 3 and second 4 braking levers can rotate around an X axis passing through the aforesaid pin 6 when a braking action has to be exerted by the braking device 2. In particular, said first 3 and second 4 braking levers are arranged on opposite sides of a wheel 20, at which the braking device is fitted 2. The first 3 and second 4 braking levers are kept in a rest position by a torsion spring 40. As will be clearer further below in the description, the torsion spring 40 also has the function of returning the first 3 and second 4 braking levers to a rest position at the end of the braking action by the braking device 2. More in particular, the first 3 and second 4 braking levers are connected to a flat support 30 of the roller skate by said pin 6.

[0028] The braking device 2, more precisely, is of the type configured to act on a rim 21 of the wheel 20. The first 3 and second 4 braking levers are connected to a flexible cable that enables the relative position thereof to be modified with respect to the rim 21 of the wheel 20.

[0029] At first ends 3A and 4A respectively of the first 3 and second 4 braking levers, a pad 5 is provided, suitable for coming into contact with the rim 21. On each of the first 3 and second 4 braking levers, a hole 18 is obtained for housing a screw 19 suitable for keeping each pad 5 on the respective braking lever. The hole 18 can be, for example, a slot hole, configured to enable the position of the respective pad to be adjusted, for example to centre the latter on the surface of the rim 21 with which it is intended to come into contact during the braking action.

[0030] The first 3 and second 4 braking levers are connected to a flexible cable that enables the relative position thereof to be modified in relation to the rim 21 of the wheel 20. In particular, said flexible cable is a cable of Bowden type, which comprises an inner flexible cable 7 and a hollow outer sheath 17. The inner flexible cable 7 is non-extendible. The inner flexible cable 7 is free to move inside the hollow outer sheath 17. The Bowden cable extends substantially laterally with respect to the roller skate in which the braking device is fitted 2. [0031] The inner flexible cable 7 is connected to the first braking lever 3 at a second end 3B, whilst the hollow outer sheath 17 is connected to the second braking lever 4 at a second end 4B. More in particular, a first end 7A of the inner flexible cable 7 is connected to the second end 3B of the first braking lever 3. Similarly, a first end 17A of the hollow outer sheath 17 is connected to the second end 4B of the second braking lever 4. A second end 17B of the hollow outer sheath 17 is connected to a sheath support 41, suitable for supporting the force exerted by the hollow outer sheath 17. The sheath support 41 has a central hole through which a further end 7C of the inner flexible cable 7 emerges, exiting the hollow outer sheath 17.

[0032] The braking device 2 also comprises an electric servomotor 8. The electric servomotor 8 can be rested on, and fixed to, the flat support 30 of the roller skate on which the braking device is fitted 2. The electric servomotor 8 is connected to the first 3 and second 4 braking levers and enables the relative position thereof to be modified with respect to the wheel 20, in particular with respect to the rim 21.

[0033] The electric servomotor 8 has a two-position (on-off) switch 22 that enables the braking device 2 to be made active (on position) or inactive (off position). The electric servomotor 8 is supplied from a source of power, for example by a battery 43, as illustrated in Figure 1A. The battery 43 can be housed on the flat support 30 of the roller skate 100, in order to facilitate possible replacement thereof. The battery 43 can be recharged by being connected to the grid by a suitable connecting interface (for example a socket, or opening or hole), which is not shown in the attached figures. In order to provide the user with an indication of the charge status of the battery 43, the braking device 2 is provided with a level indicator 23 of the battery enclosed by a support 24 provided with a transparent window, as visible in Figure 2.

[0034] The electric servomotor 8 is enclosed by a shell 25, or casing, for example of plastics. The shell 25 can be closed on three sides and open on a side wall. At the open side wall the Bowden cable extends comprising said inner flexible cable 7 and said hollow outer sheath 17. A further part 26 can be added to close the open side wall of the suitably shaped shell 25 to enable said Bowden cable to be positioned. The shell 25 and further part 26 assembly has the object of protecting the electric servomotor 8 from blows and outer agents, and limiting possible movements of the electric servomotor 8 during driving thereof in the braking steps.

[0035] The braking device 2 further comprises a pulley 9. The pulley 9 is arranged protruding from said electric servomotor 8. Also the pulley 9 can be enclosed by the shell 25, as shown in the attached figures. The pulley 9 is mechanically connected to the electric servomotor 8, said electric servomotor 8 being suitable for rotating the pulley with respect to a Y axis of the pulley. In particular, the first braking lever 3 is connected, by the inner flexible cable 7, to the pulley 9. More in particular, a second end 7B of the inner flexible cable 7 is connected to the pulley 9. When it is rotated, the pulley 9 winds on itself or unwinds from itself - depending on the rotation direction - the inner flexible cable 7.

[0036] As visible in Figure 3, between the second end 7B of the inner flexible cable 7 connected to the pulley 9 and the further end 7C of the inner flexible cable 7 exiting the sheath support 41, there is a traction spring 42. The traction spring 42 is of small dimensions for reasons of space inside the shell 25. The traction spring 42 is further characterized by a high elastic constant, such that it responds to the typical tension forces that are exerted during activation of the braking device (for example of the order of a hundreds of Newton) with small elongations, always for reasons of space inside the shell 25. As will be clearer below, the traction spring 42 enables the electric servomotor to be preserved from undesired stalling conditions in the event of prolonged braking by the user.

[0037] In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, in particular in Figure 2, the braking device 2 comprises a signal-receiving module 31 configured to receive an electromagnetic signal suitable for activating the electric servomotor 8 of the braking device 2 if the user needs to decrease the motion speed of the roller skate. The signal-receiving module 31 is housed in a suitable support 35 inside the flat support 30 of the roller skate 100. [0038] The braking apparatus 1 according to the invention further comprises a control device 10, for activation of the braking device 2 by the user. The control device 10 is normally held in the hand of the user to activate the braking device 2 if there is a need to decrease the speed thereof or arrest motion during use of the roller skates. More in particular, the control device 10 is suitable for activating the electric servomotor 8 of the braking device 2.

[0039] In one embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the control device 10 comprises a handle 11 that is graspable manually by the user. The handle 11 is connected rotatably to a support element 12. Said support element 12 can be, for example, a support element configured in a loop. In particular, the handle 11 can be hinged on the support element 12 by a second pin 13. The relative position between said handle 11 and said support element 12 can be varied by rotation around an axis W passing through the centre of said second pin 13.

[0040] Between the handle 11 and the support element 12, an elastic element is placed, for example a spring 14, visible in Figure 5. The spring 14 has the purpose of urging the handle 11 to a non-operational rest position, in which no braking force is exerted by the braking device 2, in a situation in which the user does not need to decrease motion speed. The spring 14 also has the object of returning the handle 11 to said rest position once the action of activating the braking device 2 has ceased, i.e. when the braking action of the braking device 2 is no longer required by the user. In one alternative embodiment, the spring 14 could be replaced by a blade of elastic metal material that performs an identical function with respect to the aforesaid spring 14.

[0041] The handle 11 further provides a housing 15. Said housing 15 can be closed by a cover 16, opportunely fixed by fixing means, for example by screws 36. [0042] The control device 10 comprises a sensor 27 suitable for detecting a rotational movement of said handle 11 with respect to said support element 12, when said handle is urged by the user and rotated with respect to the axis W passing through the second pin 13. The sensor 27 is housed in the aforesaid housing 15.

[0043] The support element 12 is connected to an end of a cylindrical element 28. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the cylindrical element 28 is hollow. The hollow cylindrical element 28 is suitable for housing internally a signal transmitting module 32 configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal generated at the moment in which the user modifies in rotation the relative position of said handle 11 with respect to said support element 12. A battery 33 is inserted inside the hollow cylindrical element 28 in order to supply the signal transmitting module 32. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, and in Figures 6A-6D, a further cylindrical element 34 is partially inserted inside the hollow cylindrical element 28.

[0044] The braking apparatus 1 according to the invention has a feedback system for communicating to the user the state of connection between the signal transmitting module 32 and the signal -receiving module 31. For example, the feedback system can be of luminous type or of acoustic type, or other type suitable for communicating to the user the connection status between the signal -transmitting module 32 and the signal-receiving module 31. In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the feedback system is a LED RGB 45 system, provided in the shell 25 of the braking device 2. The LED RGB 45 system, for example, can light up green if the signal-transmitting modules 32 and signal-receiving modules 31 are connected and communicate correctly together, or can light up red if the signal-transmitting modules 32 and signal-receiving modules 31 are not connected.

[0045] The operation of the braking apparatus 1 according to the invention will now be illustrated. A user in movement by the roller skates 100 that are provided with the braking apparatus 1 according to the invention, proceeds by maintaining the control device 10 in his or her hand. At the moment in which the user feels the need to reduce motion speed, he presses manually on the handle 11 so as to vary the relative position of the handle 11 with respect to the support element 12 by rotating the handle 11 with respect to the axis W passing through the second pin 13. The variation of the relative position of the handle 11 with respect to the support element 12 is detected by the sensor 27 and causes an electromagnetic signal to be generated that is transmitted by the signal-transmitting module 32 to the signalreceiving module 31 of the braking device 2 fitted to the roller skate at the wheel 20. At the moment in which the electromagnetic signal is received by the signal-receiving module 31, the electric servomotor 8 is activated and rotates the pulley 9, for example clockwise. When the pulley 9 starts to rotate around the Y axis clockwise, the pulley 9 causes the inner flexible cable 7 to wind on the pulley 9, starting from the second end 7B of the inner flexible cable 7. Winding the inner flexible cable 7 on the pulley means that the first end 7A of the inner flexible cable 7 is pulled, generating a rotation of the first braking lever 3 with respect to the axis X passing through the pin 6. The pad 5, placed at the first end 3A, thus comes into contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20. At the same time, the hollow outer sheath 17 causes rotation of the second braking lever 4 with respect to the axis X passing through the pin 6. The pad 5, placed at the first end 4A, thus comes into contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20. The contact between the pads 5 and the rim 21 generates a friction force that is such as to enable the user to decrease motion speed during use of said roller skates, and possibly stop.

[0046] The traction spring 42 enables in fact the braking force to be adjusted according to the needs and conditions of use of the user. If the user needs to gradually decrease speed, the user will activate the control device 10 by rotating the handle 11 as disclosed previously. The degree of rotation of the handle 11 determines the intensity of the resulting braking force. In particular, manual activation of the control device 10 by the user means that the electric servomotor 8 rotates the pulley 9 to bring the pads 5 into contact with the rim 21, so that the friction force is exerted that enables the motion speed of the user to be reduced. Once the pads 5 are in contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20, a further rotation of the pulley 9 will impose a further elongation of the traction spring 42. The force exerted by the traction spring 42 is directly proportional to the elongation thereof, and is also equal to the tension of the inner flexible cable 7. Accordingly, it being possible to control the rotation of the pulley 9 driven by the electric servomotor 8, it is possible to control the force exerted by the traction spring 42, which is directly proportional to the braking force. In this manner, the user can decide to reduce his or her motion speed until he or she comes to a stop.

[0047] As previously mentioned, the presence of the traction spring 42 also enables stalling of the electric servomotor 8 to be avoided at the moment in which the pads 5 come into contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20. In fact, in the absence of the spring 42, at the moment in which the pads 5 come into contact with the rim 21, the pulley 9 could no longer rotate because the non-extendible inner flexible cable 7 would be subjected to maximum tension. Locking rotation of the pulley 9 would lead to the electric servomotor 8 stalling, causing overheating that can be wearing and shorten the average working life of the electric servomotor 8.

[0048] In the presence of the traction spring 42 on the other hand, when the inner flexible cable 7 is pulled to enable the pads 5 to come into contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20, the electric servomotor 8 is still able to rotate the pulley 9. This is because, unlike the nonextendible inner flexible cable 7, the traction spring 42 is on the other hand extendible. The presence of the traction spring 42 thus enables stalling of the electric servomotor 8 to be avoided.

[0049] At the moment in which the user no longer feels the need to decrease motion speed during use of said roller skates 100, the user can loosen the pressure on the handle 11, such that said handle 11 is returned to the non-operational rest position, by the spring 14. The sensor 27 records this new variation of the relative position of the handle 11 with respect to the support element 12, and a new electromagnetic signal is sent by the signal-transmitting module 32 to the signal-receiving module 31. The electric servomotor 8, thus means that the pulley starts to rotate around its Y axis in a rotation direction opposite the preceding operating step, for example in an anticlockwise direction. The rotation of the pulley 9 anticlockwise means that the inner flexible cable 7 unwinds from said pulley 9. The tension of the inner flexible cable 7 is thus loosened, the traction spring 42 returns to the equilibrium position, and the first braking lever 3 and the second braking lever 4 are returned to the rest position, non-operational, by the torsion spring 40. In this manner, the pads 5, placed at the first end 3 A and at the second end 4A, will no longer be in contact with the rim 21 of the wheel 20.

[0050] In one alternative embodiment, the control device 10 can be a knob comprising a button. The button can be pressed manually by the user to activate the braking device 2. In particular, an electromagnetic signal can be generated when the button is pressed, which electromagnetic signal is sent by the signal-transmitting module 32 to the signal-receiving module 31 of the braking device 2, to activate the braking device 2. A different degree of pressure of the button is matched by a different degree of elongation of the traction spring 42. Consequently, similarly to what has been disclosed previously, also with this alternative embodiment it is possible to modulate the braking force exerted by the user.

[0051] In one alternative embodiment, the signal-receiving module 31 and the signaltransmitting module 32 may not be present in the braking apparatus 1 and activation of the electric servomotor 8 of the braking device 2 occurs mechanically. For example, activation of the electric servomotor 8 of the braking device 2 could occur by urging of a cable by the user.

[0052] One advantage of the braking apparatus according to the invention is the possibility of adjusting and calibrating according to needs and conditions of use braking of the braking device by the control device through the action of the traction spring, as described in the text.

[0053] Another advantage of the braking apparatus according to the invention is reducing the maintenance interventions that are necessary for correct operation of the braking device; in fact, owing to the traction spring, the electric servomotor is able to always work in optimum conditions, avoiding the electric servomotor being in an undesired stalled condition.

[0054] A further advantage of the braking apparatus according to the invention is the fact that the wheel is not subject to wear caused by the braking apparatus because the braking friction action is exerted on a rim and not on the tread of the wheel; this means that costs of maintenance of the roller skates on which said braking apparatus is installed are reduced.

[0055] Another advantage of the braking apparatus according to the invention, also arising from the friction action exerted on the rim and on the tread of the wheel arises from the fact that the braking device does not come into contact with dirt and detritus, which can generally adhere to the tread through the effect of contact with the ground. As a result, it is not necessary to frequently clean the braking device to keep braking performance efficient.

[0056] A further advantage of the braking apparatus according to the invention is the fact that the user has constant control of the charge state of the battery of the braking device and of the connection state between the signal-transmitting module and the signal-receiving module. This enables the user to feel secure during use of the braking apparatus because the user can constantly control the operating state thereof.

[0057] What has been said and shown in the attached drawings has been provided by way of illustration of the innovative features of the braking apparatus according to several embodiments; other modifications can be made to the different apparatus embodiments or parts thereof without leaving the scope of the claims.

[0058] In practice, the materials, inasmuch as they are compatible with the specific use and with the respective components for which they are intended, can be chosen opportunely according to the required functions and in function of the available prior art.

[0059] It is possible to configure and size the braking apparatus and adopt materials according to needs and possible variations on and/or additions to what has been disclosed and illustrated in the attached drawings.