Patent Application
20100109266
The present invention relates generally to recreational and sporting devices and more particularly to recreational and sporting devices of the type including a foot support mounted to a wheel where a person stands in a generally upright position and travels over the ground.
Recreational and sporting devices comprising a foot support mounted to one or more wheels, where a person stands in a generally upright position and travels over a surface, are well known in the art. One such type of device is the skateboard, which is constructed for use on paved or other kinds of finished surfaces. Other such devices include either the conventional or in-line roller skates having a plurality of wheels for use on similar types of finished surfaces.
In all of the above-described devices, both steering and braking is only achieved by shifting the weight of the rider, which means that unless the person is highly skilled their control of the device, especially braking control, is at times questionable. Further because by virtue of their design they have relatively small diameter wheels the devices are limited to use on relatively smooth finish surfaces and are not appropriate for rough and uneven terrain. The smaller wheels also lead to high wear and tear of the device, and the speed of the user is limited. Conventional and in-line skates also have the disadvantage that since there are typically four wheels on the ground at any one time, this limits manoeuvrability of the device which means that the turning circle for such devices is quite large.
The need exists for a wheeled type recreational and sporting device where a person stands and which can be used in travelling on rougher ground than is allowed by the use of current devices.
Another limitation with currently available larger wheeled devices is the problem associate with supporting the leg of the user during use, without overly limiting the movement of the user's legs.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved type of recreational and sporting device that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned problems or provides the public with a useful alternative.
The above and other objects are achieved according to this invention by providing a device comprising a foot support that is mounted on a wheel such that the foot support is located below the axis of rotation of the wheel.
Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a recreational and sporting device including:
a first wheel having an axle;
a foot cradle rotatably attached to the axle of the first wheel;
a leg plate hingedly attached to the foot cradle and adapted to be coupled to a lower leg of a user; and
a biased member attached to the foot cradle and the leg plate and extending therein between;
wherein the biased member is adapted to provide support for the user's leg and foot.
Preferably the biased member includes a biasing spring.
In one form the device further includes a second wheel member attached to the foot cradle, wherein the second wheel member includes a second wheel.
In one form the second wheel member is rigidly attached to the foot cradle.
Alternatively the second wheel member is configured to pivot around an axis that lies along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axle of the second wheel.
In preference the second wheel is of a smaller diameter than the first wheel.
More preferably the device further includes a braking mechanism. In one form the braking mechanism is actuated by the user's hands by means of a lever.
In preference the first wheel comprises a hub, rim and tyre. An inner portion of the first wheel is curved outwardly between the hub and the rim. Typically the tyre is a pneumatic tyre.
In one form the braking mechanism is attached to the first wheel and located adjacent to the hub.
In preference an outer edge of the foot cradle lies within the vertical footprint of the first wheel.
In one form the braking mechanism includes a first and second arm which are biased and configured to engage a ring shaped braking surface. The first and second arm pincerably engage the ring shaped braking surface upon actuation of the braking mechanism by the user.
In one form the foot cradle and leg support are constructed from a composite material such as but not limited to fibreglass composite or carbon fibre composite.
Alternatively the foot cradle and leg support are constructed from metal or plastic.
In a further form of the invention there is proposed a method of transporting a user over terrain, including:
providing a device having a first wheel including an axle, a foot cradle rotatably attached to the axle of the first wheel, a leg plate hingedly attached to the foot cradle and adapted to be coupled to a lower leg of a user and a biased member attached to the foot cradle and the leg plate and extending therein between, such that the biased member is adapted to provide support for the user's leg and foot;
wherein a single device is attached to each leg of a user and used to propel the user across the terrain.
Preferably each device is configured to correspond to either the left leg or the right leg, wherein the opposing first wheels are positioned adjacent to the outer surface of each of the user's legs.
Most preferably each device includes a braking mechanism to assist the user in terminating movement of the first wheel or to assist in steering.
In yet a further form there is proposed a transportation device including a first wheel attached to an axle, a foot cradle coupled to the axle to thereby allow the first wheel to rotate, a leg support member pivotably attached to the foot cradle, the leg support member including a leg capturing means for securing the leg support member to a leg of a user, a biased member extending between the foot cradle and the leg support member to provide support for the user's leg and foot, and a stop for contact with a portion of the leg support member, wherein the biased member urges the leg support member against the stop.
The stop may be attached to, or form part of the foot cradle adjacent the axle member of the first wheel. A portion of that foot cradle may be configured to releasably engage with and support a portion of the leg support member. Alternatively a stop, or multiple stops may be positioned along an edge of the foot cradle. The stop may be independent of the biasing means and positioned at a location wherein the leg support contacts the foot cradle. The stop may be an edge of the foot cradle or a portion of the axle that is configured to contact the leg support member.
In one form of the invention of the immediately preceding paragraph the stop extends rearwardly from an upper portion of the foot cradle and is configured to contact a front portion of the leg support member.
The biased member may be attached adjacent a position at which the foot cradle is pivotable attached to the leg support member or alternatively any position between the foot cradle and leg support that provides unobstructed movement. The biased member may be a spring or resiliently flexible material that returns to its original shape, length or size. A metal coiled spring may be used, or alternatively a flexible band or block could be used, provide there is a rapid response to any expansion or contraction of the biased member.
In one possible form the biasing means is a block of resiliently flexible material positioned at, or adjacent the pivotable junction between the leg support and foot cradle. The block of resiliently flexible material biasing the leg support towards the stop.
In another form the leg support member comprises an elongate plate that extends through the lower leg of the user, the elongate plate being curved about its longitudinal length to generally conform to the leg of a user. The rear-facing surface of the stop may be shaped to correspond with a front portion of the elongate plate.
The leg capturing means may be an adjustable coupling device, including straps, bands or any other device that can secure the leg of the user against an inner surface of the leg support member. The inner surface of the leg support member may include compressible material that is able to conform to the shape of the user's leg.
In still another form the biased member comprising a torsional spring attached between the foot cradle and leg support member adjacent the position at which the foot cradle is pivotable attached to the leg support member.
The torsional spring may be positioned at away from the pivot point or multiple torsional springs may be used.
The torsional spring may be mounted to a projection on the foot cradle, a first end of the torsional spring being attached to the foot cradle and a second opposing end of the torsional spring being attached to the leg support member.
Alternatively the torsional spring is mounted to a projection on the leg support member, a first end of the torsional spring being attached to the leg support member and a second opposing end of the torsional spring being attached to the foot cradle.
In yet another form the biased member may be a resiliently stretchable coiled spring, wherein a first end of the resiliently stretchable coiled spring is attached between an outer surface of the foot cradle and a second end of the resiliently stretchable coiled spring is attached to the leg support member, whereby the coiled spring is positioned in a gap between the foot cradle and the first wheel.
The device may further include a second wheel member mounted to a rear portion of the foot cradle, the second wheel member comprising a wheel support rotatably attached to the axle of the second wheel.
The biasing means may be a single torsional springs a resiliently stretchable coiled spring or a compression spring. Alternatively in yet another form a plurality of torsional springs, resiliently stretchable coiled springs or compression springs may be used to support the leg of the user.
In still yet another form of the invention there is proposed a transportation apparatus including a first limb engaging member for attachment to a first foot of a user and a second limb engaging member for attachment to a second foot of a user, each said first and second limb engaging members having respectively a first wheel including an axle member, a foot cradle coupled to the axle member to thereby allow the first wheel to rotate, a leg support member pivotably attached to the foot cradle, the leg support member including a leg capturing means for securing the leg support member to a leg of a user, a biased member extending between the foot cradle and the leg support member to provide support for the user's leg and foot, and a stop for contact with a portion of the leg support member, wherein the biased member urges the leg support member in the direction of said stop.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention.
In the drawings,
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompany drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.
Referring now to the drawings there is shown a recreational and sporting device 10 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numerals. Device 10 includes a rigid foot cradle 12 adapted to accommodate a person's foot and formed of an integral shell having a toe and a rear opening 14 and 16.
Hinged to the cradle 12 is a leg support plate 18 including a plurality of straps 20 of an adjustable type lock arrangement and adapted to engage the lower portion of a user's leg 22. The cradle 12 is designed to accommodate not only the foot of the user but a standard shoe, such as a sports shoe. However, that is not to say that the cradle 12 may in fact include an inner portion that accommodates a portion of the user's leg, much alike a ski boot.
The leg plate 18 provides support for the leg and has distinct advantages over the prior art. The combination of a foot cradle 12 and leg guard 18 provides greater protection for the user, in that they are less likely to twist or break their ankle during use because the device extends over the lower part of the leg and knee of the user. This is in contrast with conventional or in-line skates which barely extend over the ankle of the user. The leg plate 18 may also be configured to extend over the knee of the user thereby providing an inbuilt knee protector.
The foot cradle 12 is rotatably journalled through axle 24 of wheel 26 at the upper surface 28 of the cradle 12 so that when the user has mounted the device 10 the foot lies below the axle 24 which defines the axis of rotation X-Y. The foot cradle 12 is secured there by a typical nut arrangement 30. The wheel 26 is a standard configuration wheel but with the exception that the central portion 32 of the wheel 26 is of a concave arrangement so that some of the outer side 34 of cradle 12 lies within the vertical footprint of the wheel 26. To provide the greatest manoeuvrability the ball of the user's foot is located directly below the axle 24. It is however envisaged that this may not always be necessary, for instance if the device 10 was configured for speed the axle 24 may be located in front of the ball of the user's foot.
The wheel 26 may typically be a composite construction, such as fibreglass composite or carbon fibre composite, having a plurality of holes 36 that add to the visual appeal and lighten the structure whilst retaining the structural integrity of the wheel. The wheel 26 further includes a tyre tube 38 as is well known in the art, whilst the outer perimeter of the wheel 26 includes a rim 40 adapted to act as a braking surface for a braking arrangement 42, such as a disc type system illustrated in
It is to be understood that the journaling of the rotational attachment of the various parts is achieved by standard well known engineering techniques and it is not intended to discuss these in further detail.
The leg support plate 18 is hinged to cradle 12 to allow for the users foot to freely rotate around an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of wheel 26. Extending between the upper end of the leg plate 18 and the axle 24 is a biased support member 44 consisting of an outer member 46 attached to the axle 24 and slidably supporting an inner member 48 that at one end is rotatably attached adjacent to the upper end of the leg plate 18. The biased member 44 provides support for the user's foot, such that the user's shin muscles do not become strained during use. Any biasing means could be used, such as a spring, provided it is responsive to the movement of the user and does not unduly restrict the movement of the user's leg during use of the device 10.
The reader should appreciate that the biased member 44 is used to compensate for the weight of the foot cradle 12 and wheel 26. The weight of the device would tend to pull the end of the user's foot down. Therefore, the biased support 44 facilitates use of the device without risking strain. Alternatively, the biased member 44 could be located at the point where the foot cradle 12 and leg plate 18 pivot.
Since the leg plate 18 is rotatably fixed to the cradle and to the axle 24 the reader will appreciate why the member 44 needs to have a sliding arrangement. As best illustrated in
Although not illustrated, between the inner and outer members 48 and 46 there may be located a stop to minimise any sudden impact or jarring when the biased member 44 rapidly moves to the retracted position as may occur when the user is in an aggressive travelling or “skating’ mode.
The biased member 44 or more specifically the upper end of the outer member 46 is also used to support, in a fixed position, the braking mechanism 42 so that it is always next to the braking surface 40. Other than stated above, the braking system is of the form typically employed on bicycles and is activated by a squeezable handle 50, one for each wheel, through cable 52. The handle 50 is held by the user during use. To ensure the cable 52 does not get tangled up with the wheel 26 or passing objects, such as trees, the user may feed them through elbow guards 54. The cable 52 may also be clipped to a user's belt or other items of clothing.
The apparatus 10 may include an additional wheel 56 mounted to the rear of the foot cradle 12. This wheel 56 may act in several different capacities. It may be used as a trainer wheel for new or cautious users and it also assists during intense braking action much like a stabiliser wheel. The wheel 56 also prevents the user from falling backwards which could cause significant injury. The wheel 56 has a swivel action which provides for greater cornering and turning ability. The wheel 56 may be of a caster wheel configuration wherein the wheel is connected to a swivel, or alternatively the wheel 56 could be a fixed configuration.
Although it is envisaged that the wheel 56 will be attached to the cradle 12 in a rigid manner, the wheel 56 may also be mounted to the cradle through a flexible member such as fibreglass coated plywood that also provides a damping effect which, in combination with the pneumatic tyre, provides a softer ride. The invention is however not limited to the use of the additional wheel 56. An expert may not require the rear wheel 56 for stabilisation and therefore the rear wheel 56 could be removably attached to the foot cradle 12 so that when a user become proficient in using the device the wheel 56 could be completely removed, much like training wheels on a bicycle can be removed.
The cradle 12 is configured so that the user can leave their own conventional shoes on during use. This means that wherever the user is they are able to dismount from the device 10 and are still wearing protective footwear. This would be useful if a user was travelling from point A to point B, such as going to work or the shops, as they would be wearing footwear when they dismount the device 10. Typically, the device 10 will be constructed in a series of different sizes to fit a range of shoe sizes, each having wheel 26 of different diameters. It is envisaged that there will be three different sized wheels 26 used, such as 24 inch, 22 inch and 20 inch diameter.
In an alternate embodiment as illustrated in
The braking arrangement 42 of the alternate embodiment is further illustrated in
As illustrated in
The cross-sectional view in
The device 10 may be constructed from typical materials such as, metal, fibreglass composite or carbon fibre composite. Obviously the device 10 for each leg will be a mirror image of each other and a right leg device may not be mounted on the left leg and vice versa. However, the wheels may be adapted for quick coupling and decoupling from the cradle and the brake mechanism and there is no reason why these devices would not be stored in an easily assembled and disassembled state.
When using the present invention the rider mounts both devices and pushes himself or herself off much like skating. However, the wheels, being of a large diameter, are able to accommodate rough and uneven ground much easier than the wheels of conventional roller skate or in-line skates device. It should be appreciated that to enable free movement of the user's leg and foot, the axes of rotation, between the leg support 18 and the cradle 12, where the support member 44 connects to the leg support 18, and where the support member 44 connects to the cradle 12, are all parallel. Furthermore, the support member 44 is perpendicular to these axes of rotation.
As the skilled addressee will appreciate the use of a single large wheel 26 provides greater manoeuvrability than conventional skates as there is only one point of contact with the ground upon which the user pivots. This is in contrast with conventional or in-line skates which typically have at least four wheels in contact with the ground. The present invention therefore provides a recreational device which has a smaller turning circle.
Slowing down the device 10 is achieved by simply activating the brake handles 50 the amount of braking proportional to the squeezing of the handles. To turn the rider simply shifts their weight and controls the steering by turning their legs. The wheels, being firmly fixed to the cradle, then turn in the direction pointed by the rider.
The user may also use the brakes to assist in steering, for instance the user could apply the brake corresponding to their left foot to turn their direction of travel to the left. Alternatively, the right brake could be applied to move to the right. Since there is only one wheel in contact with the ground and therefore only one pivot point for each foot the user has the ability to turn sharply. It is therefore possible for the user to skate in a manner similar to the slalom action in snow skiing to thereby slow down.
In further embodiments, as illustrated in
The stop 92 extends rearwardly from an upper portion 94 of the foot cradle 12 and is configured to contact the front of the leg support member 18. As illustrated in the figures the leg support member 18 comprises an elongate plate 96 that extends through the lower leg of the user, the elongate plate 18 being curved rearwardly about its longitudinal length to generally conform to the leg of a user. The rear-facing surface of the stop 92 is shaped to correspond with a front portion of the elongate plate 96.
The leg capturing means 90 is adjustable and may be similar to the ski boot coupling device although other devices such as straps or bands could be used.
In one particular embodiment, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the use of a stop 92 and spring, whether that be a torsional spring 98 or a coiled spring 106, or the like, reduces the weight of the device 10. This thereby reduces the strain on the user's legs during use.
The biased member may be attached adjacent a position at which the foot cradle is pivotable attached to the leg support member or alternatively any position between the foot cradle and leg support that provides unobstructed movement. The biased member may be a spring or resiliently flexible material that returns to its original shape, length or size. A metal coiled spring may be used, or alternatively a flexible band or block could be used, provide there is a rapid response to any expansion or contraction of the biased member.
The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the present invention. The device 10 provides a recreational and sporting apparatus that can be used on uneven terrain and in places where conventional skates, such as in-line skates, cannot be used. The use of a large wheel also may mean that the user can traverse over smooth surfaces at greater speed and with less effort than when using conventional skates. By being able to use their own shoes the user has the advantage of have shoes on when they reach their destination or if they want to dismount the device for some other reason. This is particularly useful if the user is going down to the shops or going to work where skates cannot be worn. The addition of rear support wheels and brakes makes the device safe for use even by inexperienced users, while the different sizes make it suitable for both young people and adults alike.
Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.
In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” is used in the sense of “including”, i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU 2005902648 | May 2005 | AU | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. pending patent application Ser. No. 11/436,858 filed May 19, 2006, allowed, which claims priority over Australian Application No. AU 2005902648 filed May 24, 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11436858 | May 2006 | US |
| Child | 12684167 | US |
