MECHANISM FOR EASY AND SAFE INSTALLATION, LOCKING AND REMOVING OF WHEELS ON FOOTWEAR

Mechanism for easy and safe installation, locking and removal of the wheels on the footwear, belongs to the area of objects for personal use or leisure, characteristic in appearance and use. They can be used as roller skates and also for walking. The mechanism is installed in the supports, and consists of an elastic ball that is inserted into the holes made in the supports. The ball has the function of a spring. The sleeve is firmly tied in the holes of the support by means of a pin. The axle on which the wheels are slidably and rotatably mounted is inserted into the sleeve. With the help of the projection on the axles and the flat seat, under the action of the force from the elastic ball, the wheels are firmly and separable attached to the sole of the footwear.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is generally related to the field of objects for personal use or leisure, and more precisely, to the characteristic footwear distinguished by its appearance and use, and which can be modified, i.e., the wheels can be quickly detached from the roller skates, when the roller skates are used for walking.

Technical Problem

The technical problem solved by the present invention is the following: how to structurally solve the mechanism for easy and safe installation, locking and removal of wheels on footwear, without the use of additional tools, so that footwear could be interchangeably used for either walking, when it is without wheels or for rolling, when the wheels are locked.

STATE OF THE ART

Different constructions of mechanisms for mounting and dismounting of the wheels are known, both in the USA, Europe, as well as in Great Britain, Korea and other countries, but these mechanisms do not allow for easy and quick mounting and dismounting of wheels without the use of tools, using only hands. Very often a support is also needed so that the wheels can be removed or mounted on the footwear.

In the available documents, there are several groups of different types of converting roller skates into footwear for walking. One group of inventions is e.g., with wheels attached to the footwear, where the wheels are foldable when the footwear is used for walking. The second group is with mechanisms that cover the wheels. The third group is with a mechanism that can be separated from the shoes, together with the wheels. The fourth group is with mechanisms that require support, because the process of connecting and disconnecting the wheels is relatively long. The first two groups are comfortable for rolling and blocking the wheels, but it is extremely difficult to use them for walking because they contain wheels and a blocking mechanism. The third group is comfortable for rolling and walking, however, the mechanism with wheels is bulky and heavy to carry.

US patent document no. US2012222329A1 (Convertible shoe for walking an' for roller-skating, having laterally deployable wheels incorporated in its sole) discloses a shoe for walking and roller skating, having wheels built into the sole, which can be deployed laterally on both sides of the shoe by mechanism. The problem with these shoes is that they are relatively heavy, the reason being both the wheels and the metal mechanisms placed in the sole, and that they are not flexible because of the bars that are placed on the sides of the feet. It is not easy to walk in such shoes, especially if a person walks upstairs or if the process of walking is longer. Also, an additional problem can occur if the mechanism becomes dirty due to walking.

The Chinese patent no. CN217661425U (Shoes with folding wheels) discloses wheels connected to the footwear by means of a rotating mechanism. When the user uses the footwear for walking, the wheels are placed in the sole of the footwear. When the footwear is used for roller skating, the wheels are pulled out of the soles of the footwear and placed on the sides of the feet. With this invention, changing the purpose of the footwear is quick, but the user has to sit, and the footwear for walking is extremely heavy and uncomfortable even for a short period of walking.

The US patent document no. U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,697 (Roller skate walker) discloses a roller skate accessory used to cover the wheels of roller skates when the roller skates are used for walking. The accessory has formed recesses in which the wheels are placed to prevent rolling and enable the user to walk. The accessory is connected to the rollers with a wider belt. The disadvantage of this invention is that it is difficult to slide the front wheels with the sneaker while placing both the front and rear wheels in the formed attachment. Since there are practically two points of support in the accessory, the user must use the accessory carefully when walking, in order not to separate the accessory from the roller.

US patent documents no. U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,842A (Walking attachment for roller skates), no. U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,474A (Roller skate sole), no. U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,187 (Skate sandals), disclose roller skates accessories for walking, adapted to accept wheels which, when attached to the roller skates, enable the user to walk safely in shopping malls and buildings where the use of roller skates is forbidden. Roller skates themselves are not light, and when a robust accessory is added to them, they are heavy and not suitable for walking, even if the walk is shorter. When the roller skates are rolling, the roller skates accessory for walking represents a bulky load that must be carried until use.

In Australian patent file AU1390499A (Foot-front actuated roller skates), a walking and rolling sneaker is disclosed. Here, the wheels are fixed to the sneaker using a one-piece frame. At the ends, the frame is provided with U shape supports which are connected to each other by a rigid connection in the shape of a rectangle. The wheels are fixed to the sneaker using the axles by screwing the axle into the shoe with one end with a thread, and the wheel is placed on the other end of the axle. The problem with this footwear is that the wheels with the support and axles are difficult to carry, and the mounting process is long and requires an additional hand tool to secure the wheels.

The French patent no. FR2755031B1 (Patin a roulettes ou a glace) discloses detachable wheels that can be installed on the footwear to which they are adapted, while the footwear can be used for walking without the wheels. The wheels are fixed to a support plate that also carries rear stirrups that can grip the lower part, at the heel of the user. The interface connecting footwear to the plate consists of a hook that automatically attaches to the plate, and of a stirrup for securing the wheels to the footwear. The disadvantage of this invention is the heavy and bulky assemblies of detachable wheels, while at the same time installation of the wheels on the footwear is difficult.

Chinese patent application no. CN105435440A (Shoe sleeve-type roller skates) discloses detachable wheels which are made integral with the mechanism for connection with footwear. The mechanism is in the form of a sleeve made with several strips above the rigid sole, and wheels are firmly and rotatably connected under the sole. The disadvantage of this invention is the bulky and heavy roller skates, as well as long installation times on the footwear, and the user must have support while installing and removing the roller skates.

In a further European patent application EP1331027A1 (Skate with detachable shoe), a roller skate with a detachable sneaker is disclosed. The separation mechanism consists of two sets of engaging members, female and male, which are respectively placed in the sole on the bottom of the shoe and in the mounting plate on the upper side of the roller. They connect to each other using a lever quickly and easily. The problem with this invention is that the mechanism with wheels is heavy to carry, and support is needed to place the mechanism on the footwear.

Two patents of the present applicant also belong to the state of the art. For the first application P-763/02, submitted in 2002, the right was recognized in 2008, under the number RS50006B. This patent solved the same technical problem. However, shortcomings were registered during exploitation. The axles that are inserted into the insole are round on the outside, which after prolonged use of the rollers caused the axle to rotate in the insole, and thus made it impossible to easily and safely separate/connect the wheels so that the sneakers could be used for walking and rolling.

The second patent by the same applicant was granted in 2023 under the number RS63851B. With this patent, the problem of axle rotation in insole was eliminated. However, the process of mounting the wheels still takes a relatively long time, and a tool necessary for mounting the wheels is often lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to provide transformable footwear, which is light weight, not robust, with a flexible sole that can be freely deformed while walking, with wheels that can be easily and quickly installed, fixed and removed, even while standing, and without the use of additional tools, only by hand. Footwear on wheels, according to the invention, allows for very quick and easy transition from rolling to walking, and vice versa, and is completely suitable for both uses. The wheels with axles are small in size and light to carry, and the front wheel support is made even lighter by making technical openings on the support itself.

The novelty of the present invention is represented by the improved property of the footwear, thanks to its new construction, i.e. the geometric design of the sleeve and axle, the ball, as an elastic element and the two-stage holes in the supports. Axles with wheels can be installed and removed with ease, and the wheels can be separated from the axles without difficulty. No additional tools are needed to install and remove the wheels, and the shoes are comfortable for walking.

The mechanism is placed in the modified front and rear supports known from the state of the art (RS63851B1), by the same author, which are placed in the holes provided in the sole. Namely, in the supports known from the state of the art, that had holes in which the thread was cut, two-stage holes were drilled. At the bottom of the hole with a smaller diameter, an elastic ball is inserted, made of polyurethane with a hardness of 30±5 Sha. In the hole with a larger diameter, a sleeve is inserted, which is firmly attached to the supports laterally, using a steel pin. In the interior of the sleeve, a crown was made around the circumference of the inner diameter of the sleeve, which reduces the inner diameter of the sleeve. In that part, the inner diameter of the sleeve is smaller than the diameter of the elastic ball so that the ball cannot fall out of the hole in the support when the axles are removed from the sleeves, i.e. footwear. To allow for the insertion of the axle which carries the wheels into the sleeve, the crown from the other end of the sleeve is additionally burrowed along the half the circumference of the inner diameter of the sleeve. With this, a flat surface in the form of a part of a circular ring was created on the crown. At the beginning of the crown, there is an additional recessed flat seat in the form of an isosceles triangle whose vertex is rounded. Opposite the recessed flat seat, a recess is made along the entire length of the crown to the other end of the axle, which is a mirror image of the recessed flat seat.

The elastic balls, at the bottom of the smaller holes, provide resistance to the other end of the axles which are slidably inserted into the sleeves and with which the axles exert pressure on the elastic ball. The axles are reinforced with steel pins at the ends that carry the wheels. The pins are inserted into the holes made in the axis of the axle, and they are protected by polyamide plugs. One end of the plug rests on the pin while the other end of the plug is in line with the end of the axle. The wheels are slidably and rotatably placed on the reinforced axle body, which is under the highest strain during the use. The inner ring of the wheel bearing rests with one end on the increased diameter of the axle. The end of the axle body, which is inserted into the sleeve, is reduced at a sharp angle in a part whose length is greater than the height of the crown with a surface in the form of a part of a circular ring. Along the body of the axle, an additional reduction was made along the circumference of the body covered by an obtuse angle, thereby creating a projection for the connection with the sleeve. The projection has the same shape in the cross-section of the axle body as the recessed flat seat, only it has smaller dimensions which allow it to enter the recessed seat. After the projection, along the body of the axle, the diameter of the axle body is further reduced and is smaller than the diameter of the hole in the supports where the ball is placed, so that end of the axle can enter the hole of smaller diameter and exert pressure on the elastic ball, and so that the ball has space for deformation.

After placing the wheel on the axle body, the axle is slid into the sleeve and gently pushed. The projection end passes through the recess on the sleeve crown, pressing the elastic ball. The projection on the axle passes over the flat surface on the crown in the sleeve. After that, the axle is rotated. During rotation, the projection on the axle slides on a flat surface in the form of a circular ring until, under the action of the elastic force of the ball, it falls into a recess provided on a flat surface in the form of a part of a circular ring. Under the action of the force of the elastic ball, the axle remains in the recess and thus blocks the rotational and axial movement of the axle. When the removal of the wheels is desired, axial pressure is applied to the axle, the ball is additionally deformed, until the projection on the axle comes out of the recess. Then the axle is turned in the opposite direction and pulled out of the sleeve through the recess on the crown.

The advantages of the mechanism for easy and safe installation, with locking and removal of the wheels on the footwear, compared to the mechanisms in the known state of the art are:simple and quick mounting with locking wheels;simple and quick unlocking of the wheels, for dismounting of the wheels and axles;support is not necessary for the user when mounting or dismounting the wheels;no additional tools are required for mounting/dismounting;the wheels cannot be further moved axially when they are locked by the mechanism;the wheels and axles are compact and light to carry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for easy and safe installation with locking, and removal of wheels4with axles8on footwear1. Footwear1consists of a face2and an inner layer5which are connected to the sole6, and are fixed to the user's foot by laces3. The front support10and the rear support20are inserted into the sole6of the footwear1. The support10,20from the state of the art, by the same applicant (RS63851B1) is used, wherein the supports10,20are modified for this mechanism. The length of the support10is u. The length u is variable and depends on the width of the sole6in the area of the toes. The length of the support20is u1. The length u1is also variable and depends on the width of the sole6in the area of the heel. The mechanism that is incorporated in the modified supports10,20consists of an elastic ball11inserted into the holes10.1.2,10.2.2,20.1.2,20.2.2made in the supports10,20. The ball11is trapped in the holes10.1.2,10.2.2,20.1.2,20.2.2using the sleeve12. The ball11has the function of a spring. The sleeve12is firmly tied in the holes10.1.1,10.2.1,20.1.1,20.2.1of the supports10,20by means of the pin7which is inserted into the openings10.4.1,10.4.2,20.4.1,20.4.2and at the same time, it passes through the groove12.2made on the sleeve12. In the sleeve12, the axle8is slidably inserted, on which the wheels4are slidably and rotatably mounted. With the help of the axle8, the wheels4are firmly and detachably attached to the footwear1.

In the axes10′,10″ of the front support10, which are separated from each other by a distance x, the existing holes with cut threads, whose axes10′,10″ are parallel to the sole6of the footwear1, are modified into two-stage holes10.1.1,10.1.2,10.2.1,10.2.2. The holes10.1.1,10.1.2are drilled in the axis10′ at the end10.1of the support10. The holes10.2.1,10.2.2are drilled in the axis10″ at the end10.2of the support10. The diameter of the holes10.1.1,10.2.1is d and their depth is k1, measuring from the end10.1and the end10.2, respectively. The diameter of the holes10.1.2,10.2.2is d1and their depth is k2and are a continuation of the holes10.1.2,10.2.2, and the depth k2is an extension of the depth k1. The diameter d is greater than the diameter d1, and the total depth k of the two-stage hole10.1.1,10.1.2,10.2.1,10.2.2is equal to the sum of the depths k1, k2. On the support10, there are openings10.4.1,10.4.2provided whose longitudinal axis passes through the circle of the hole with a diameter of d. The axes of the openings10.4.1,10.4.2are perpendicular to the axes10′,10″ of the holes10.1.1,10.2.1Openings10.4.1,10.4.2, of the diameter d9, are made at a distance of k3from the end10.1,10.2. The distance k3is smaller than the depth k1, so the openings10.4.1,10.4.2are made in the region of the holes10.1.1,10.2.1. On the support10, behind the two-stage holes10.1.1,10.1.2,10.2.1,10.2.2, perpendicular to the axes10′,10″, technical openings10.5.1,10.5.2are provided in order to reduce the mass of the support10.

In the axis20′ of the rear support20, which is parallel to the sole6of the footwear1, at both ends20.1,20.2, the existing threaded holes were modified into two-stage holes20.1.1,20.1.2,20.2.1,20.2.2. The holes20.1.1,20.1.2are drilled in the axis20′ at the end20.1of the support20. The holes20.2.1,20.2.2are drilled in the axis20′ at the end20.2of the support20. The diameter of the holes20.1.1,20.2.1is d and their depth k1, measuring from the end20.1, and20.2, respectively, and the diameter of the holes20.1.2,20.2.2is d1and their depth is k2and are a continuation of the holes20.1.1,20.2.1. The diameter d is greater than the diameter d1, and the total depth k of the two-stage holes20.1.1,20.1.2,20.2.1,20.2.2is equal to the sum of the depths k1, k2. The depths k1, k start from the ends20.1,20.2, and the depth k2is in the extension of the depth k1of the holes20.1.1,20.2.1. On the support20, there are openings20.4.1,20.4.2provided, whose longitudinal axis passes through the circle of the hole with a diameter d. The axis of the opening20.4.1,20.4.2is perpendicular to the axis20′ of the holes20.1.1,20.2.1. Openings20.4.1,20.4.2, of the diameter d9, are provided at a distance k3from the end20.1,20.2. The distance k3is smaller than the depth k1, so the openings20.4.1,20.4.2are provided in the region of the holes20.1.1,20.2.1.

Depth k2of the holes10.1.2,10.2.2,20.1.2,20.2.2, of both supports10,20, is at most ⅙ of the depth k1of the holes10.1.1,10.2.1,20.1.1,20.2.1.

The mechanism is incorporated in two-stage holes10.1.1,10.1.2,10.2.1,10.2.2of the front support10and two-stage holes20.1.1,20.1.2,20.2.1,20.2.2of the rear support20. Elastic ball11and the sleeve12, as part of the mechanism, are permanently installed in the two-stage holes10.1.1,10.1.2,10.2.1,10.2.2,20.1.1,20.1.2,20.2.1,20.2.2. First, elastic balls11are inserted into holes10.1.2,10.2.2,20.1.2,20.2.2. Then sleeves12are inserted slidably into holes10.1.1,10.2.1,20.1.1,20.2.1. Then, the pins7are inserted into the openings10.4.1,10.4.2,20.4.1,20.4.2provided on the supports10,20and in the groove12.2provided on the sleeve12. The firm connection of the sleeve12with the supports10,20is realized by means of a pin7, so that the sleeves12with the balls11remain permanently in the sole6of the footwear1. The supports10,20are then inserted into the holes made in the sole6. The holes are provided in the area under the toes and under the heel. The support10is inserted into the hole on the sole6under the toes, and the support20is inserted into the hole under the heel. It is important to point out that the surfaces10.10,20.10of the supports10,20are in the same plane as the surface6.1in the sole6.

The sleeve12is in the form of a hollow tube with an outer diameter d′ and length j, and it is made of polyamide with glass fiber filler. The outer diameter d′ of the sleeve12and the diameter d of the hole10.1.1,10.2.1,20.1.1,20.2.1constitute an assembly which is “particularly well guided”. At one end12.1of the sleeve12, on the outside, at a distance of j4from the other end12.4of the sleeve12, a semicircular groove12.2is provided, its greatest depth being g. The axis12.3of the groove12.2is at right angle to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve12. The greatest depth g of the semicircular groove12.2is less than or equal to half of the diameter of the pin7. The distance j4and the distance k3are of the same length, so that the end12.4of the sleeve12does not protrude from the ends10.1,10.2,20.1,20.2of the supports10,20.

At the same end12.1, but inside the sleeve12, a crown12.5is provided, distal to the other end12.4at a distance j3at an acute angle β to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve12. The inner diameter d3of the crown12.5is smaller than the diameter D of the elastic ball11, so that the ball11after insertion of the sleeve12does not fall out of the hole10.1.2,10.2.2,20.1.2,20.2.2. The crown12.5is burrowed at a depth of h2from the end12.1of the sleeve12, along the circumference of a circle with a diameter d2, covered by the angle δ. The beginning of the burrow of the crown12.5with depth h2is on one leg of the angle δ, and the end of the burrow of the crown12.5is on the other leg of the angle δ. The maximum value of the angle δ is 180° so that the locking and unlocking of the axle8with the sleeve12can be done as quickly as possible. With this burrow, a flat surface12.6in the form of a part of a circular ring of height j1was formed on the crown12.5. On the other leg of the angle δ, on the flat surface12.6, a recessed flat seat seat12.7is provided, in the form of an isosceles triangle, with a depth of g1in relation to the flat surface12.6. The seat12.7is in the form of an isosceles triangle whose vertex is rounded with a radius r at the junction of the legs of the triangle. Tangents12.8, which are also the legs of an isosceles triangle, connect a circle with radius r and a circle with diameter d3. A circle with radius r and a circle with diameter d2touch at point12.10with a common axis.

Opposite the seat12.7, along the crown12.5, a depression12.9with a depth of h2and a height of j1is provided, which, as a mirror image, corresponds to the seat12.7and is used for the passage of the projection8.5, which is provided on the body8.4of the axle8.

Axle8consists of a body8.4, which is stepped on the outside, and is made of polyamide with glass fiber filler. The length of the body8.4is f, which at one end8.1has the largest diameter d8and length f2. The diameter d8is smaller than the diameter d14of the wheel4, and larger than the diameter d13of the support15. This is necessary and has a purpose of keeping the wheel4on the axle8. Further, the diameter d8, along the body8.4, is reduced to the diameter d4of the length f1. The diameter d4of the body8.4of the axle8and the diameter d2of the sleeve12render the assembly “particularly well guided”. The diameter d4is further along the body8.4at an acute angle β to the longitudinal axis of the body8.4, reduced to a diameter d5which is smaller than the diameter d3of the sleeve12, and whose length is f4. The length f4of the body8.4is bigger than the height j1of the crown12.5so that the projection8.5on the body8.4could rotate above the surface12.6in the sleeve12, when the ball11is most deformed. Further along the body8.4, the diameter d4is reduced, at the length f5, so that the reduction is covered by: the angle 360°−θ, the radius r1which has one common point8.7with the diameter d4, at the half of the angle θ, and the tangents8.6that join the circle of diameter d5and a circle of radius r1. In the continuation of the axle8, at the other end8.2, the body8.4has the smallest diameter d6. Length f3with the diameter d6is cut at the end of8.2at a sharp angle λ.

In the axis of the body8.4, at the end8.1, a hole8.3of depth f6and diameter d7is provided. A steel pin9is inserted into the hole8.3, the steel pin9being firmly connected to the body8.4. The pin9has a smaller length than the depth f6of the hole8.3, so after inserting the pin9into the hole8.3, a plug13is inserted whose outer circular surface13.1, after insertion into the hole8.3, is in the plane of the end8.1of the body8.4. The pin9is inserted into the body8.4because that part of the body8.4of the axle8suffers the greatest strain during use. In the assembly with the sleeve12, one part of the pin9in the body8.4is in the sleeve12, and the wheel4is placed on the other part. The wheel4is slidably and rotatably connected to the axle8on the part of the body8.4which has the diameter d4.

If the axle8is made of steel, it is in the shape of the body8.4, but without the hole8.3. The wheel4is an integral part of the footwear1, when the footwear is used for rolling, and together with the support15of the bearings14, has the width b. The support15has an internal diameter of d13. The diameter d13of the support15and the diameter d4of the body8.4form a loose assembly, so that the wheel4can turn and slide on the part of the body8.4of the length f1.

The length f1of the body8.4is equal to the sum of the width b of the support15and the distance j3from the end12.4of the sleeve12increased by 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, preferably by 0.6 mm. This is necessary in order to ensure the movement of the axle8in the sleeve12for the purpose of locking, i.e. that the projection8.5is above the surface12.6, i.e., the unlocking of the axle8in the sleeve12.

The placement of the axles8in the sleeve12is done by first pulling the wheels4on the body8.4over the end8.2. At the same time, holding the axle8by the end8.1, together with the mounted wheel4, the axle8is manually inserted into the sleeve12and tightly connected or separated from the sleeve12. In order for the axle8to come to the position that ensures locking, it is necessary to rotate the axle8so that the projection8.5on the body8.4passes through the depression12.9above the crown12.5. By manually pressing one end8.1of the axle8, the end8.2deforms the elastic ball11. In this way, the projection8.5comes above the surface12.6. Then the axle8is rotated until the projection8.5, under the action of the force from the elastic ball11, falls into the seat12.7of depth g1. After that, the wheels4with the axle8are firmly connected to the sleeve12, i.e. the supports10,20.

When taking off the wheels4is desired, that is, use of the footwear for walking, the axle8is slightly pushed axially in the sleeve12, the ball11is additionally deformed, so that the projection8.5comes out of the groove12.7. After that, the axle8is moved by a circular motion to the depression12.9and under the action of the elastic force from the ball11, it is removed from the sleeve12together with the wheels.

The supports10,20, sleeve12, body8.4and plug13are made of plastic with filler, and it is most preferable to make them of polyamide with 30% of glass fibers. Elastic ball11is made of polyurethane 30±5 ShA.

For better storage and easier carrying of wheels4and axles8, wheels4are removed from axle8and placed in a specially made case, next to each other, and axles8are placed one above the other next to the wheels4.