Generation of in-line skates and skate-boards with safety "EDGING FRICTION CONTROL™"
First Claim
1. A wheel assembly comprising:
- at least one roller member, roller bearing structure permitting the roller member to rotate about an axle with respect to a vertical axis, canting structure constructed and arranged to permit the roller member to rotate about the axle at an angle with respect to the vertical axis, and elastomer structure constructed and arranged to bias the roller member in opposing directions towards the vertical axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention discloses an effective mechanical means to safely control speed and brake on in-line skates in a natural way that is comparably used in skiing. The assembly consists of wheel frame 4 and wheel 1f, having a centered spherical bearing structure that is in effect a dynamic 2-Element Hub (2 and 2a) containing axle bearings 5 and axle 8, which allows wheel 1f to rotate both vertically and at angle as indicated (FIG. 2B). When at an angle or “canted” the wheel'"'"'s neoprene tire contacts friction strip 4a. That friction contact at 11 safely slows or brakes the wheel, constituting an “edging friction” control function comparable to “edging” skis. When the “edging” force is released by the in-line skater, self-aligning radial elastomer disk “springs” 7a, on each side of the wheel (each with an axle bearing 5 at its core and each in a constant equal and opposing tension/compression state), force the wheel back into (and maintains) a vertical coasting position. Since the elastomer self-aligning “springs” can also vary from soft to hard and are replaceable and can be interchangeably arranged, the in-line skates can effectively have models that would accommodate a beginner to a pro.
44 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wheel assembly comprising:
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at least one roller member, roller bearing structure permitting the roller member to rotate about an axle with respect to a vertical axis, canting structure constructed and arranged to permit the roller member to rotate about the axle at an angle with respect to the vertical axis, and elastomer structure constructed and arranged to bias the roller member in opposing directions towards the vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wheel assembly comprising:
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at least one roller member, roller bearing structure permitting the roller member to rotate about an axle with respect to a vertical axis, canting structure constructed and arranged to permit the roller member to rotate about the axle at an angle with respect to the vertical axis, and elastomer spring structure constructed and arranged within canting structure to bias the roller member in opposing directions towards the vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A spherical bearing assembly comprising:
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an outer element defining a vertical axis and having a bore there-through, an inner element mounted in the bore of the outer element to permit inclined rotation of the inner element with respect to the vertical axis, and spring structure constructed and arranged to bias the inner element towards the vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification