SYSTEM FOR ACTUATING A SKATE BRAKE

Abstract: A brake actuator (10) is provided which utilizes a fluid as the actuation medium. The fluid is transferred from an activation reservoir (12) through a tube (16) to an expansion chamber (14) which activates the brake. The fluid is contained in a closed system and is biased to a non-braking state so that the wheels will automatically return to their freely rotating state without any further action by the skater after braking. The upper reservoir (12) fits between the liner surrounding the users calf and the back of the skate. The lower reservoir or expansion chamber (14) is positioned adjacent the mechanical braking mechanism. The lower reservoir is biased so that the fluid returns to the upper reservoir and the brake is deactivated. A buffer (25) is provided around the upper reservoir to assure even flow through the reservoir and tube and to create a compressible environment. The buffer helps to prevent inadvertant braking and to provide control of the degree of braking.

Description: SYSTEM FOR ACTUATING A SKATE BRAKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for activat- mg a skate brake. More particularly, the present invention relates to the an activator which contains a fluid, m a closed system, for transmitting an braking impulse to a brake mecnanis . 2. Description of the Prior Art As the popularity of in-line skating has increased, the number of ιnexperιenced*skaters has also risen, and that rise has brought with it an increase m the number of injuries. A major cause of injury to inexperienced skaters is the lack of a positive braking mechanism. Experienced skaters have mastered the abilities necessary to stop their skates by dragging a toe, heel or side of the skate. Such an action requires the skater to lift all or a portion of one skate off of the ground, resulting m less stability. Since a less experienced skater wants to maximize his or her stability, an alternative way of braking, not requiring the skater to take a skate off of the ground, is desired. A number of positive braking devices have been developed to answer this need. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,226,673 to Donald Cech discloses a disc braking mechanism for the rear-most wheel of an in-line skate. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,316,325 shows an in-line skate brake m which a brake shoe is pivotal connected to the rear wheel so that the shoe contacts the ground to thereby create friction and slow the skater. Other patents illustrate brakes where a mechanism is provided for contacting the outside of one or more or the wheels to create friction between the brake and the wheel(s). In these systems the dragging of a portion of the skate against the ground is replaced by the mechanical, positive brake mechanism. However, the complexity of the foregoing brake systems is a major drawback. The systems require a large number of parts and significant labor to assemble. Both of these factors contribute to an increase in the cost of the skate and the likelihood of failure. In addition to the brake mechanism itself, eacn system requires some mechanism for activating the braking system. Some systems are cuff actuated while others utilize hand held devices to transfer air pressure to the brakes thereby activating the brakes. As is tne case with the brake, the existing actuators require a significant number of parts and labor. Furthermore, systems employing air pressure need some means to release the air pressure after braking. The more complex the system is the higher the cost of the skate, and the more susceptible the brake is to failure. While most brake mechanisms are activated by mechanical means, some systems have air pressure activation systems and some form of hand controlled device to develop sufficient air pressure. Such air pressure activated systems, however, have a complicated construction, and there is a delay between the initial activation and braking while air pressure builds to a sufficient level. Furthermore, the system requires some way to release the air after braking. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by the present invention which is directed to a brake actuation system which utilizes fluid as the actuation medium. The fluid is transferred from an activation reservoir through a tube to an expansion chamber which activates the brake. The activation system can be employed with any braking system. The fluid s contained in a closed system, eliminating any delay in the braking as exists in open-air pressure systems. The system is biased to a non-braking state so that the wheels will automatically return to their freely rotating state without any further action by the skater after braking, and no air pressure release mechanism will be needed. The system includes two reservoirs interconnected by a tube. The upper reservoir can fit between the users calf and the back of the skate. Alternatively, the upper reservoir may be positioned between the calf and the back of the skate, between the linler and the shell or built into the cuff when no liner is provided. The lower reservoir or expansion chamber is positioned adjacent the mechanical braking mechanism. The specific configuration of the lower reservoir is determined by the type of brake. The tube interconnects the upper and lower reservoirs to transfer fluid from the upper to the lower during braking thereby activating the brake. Once braking ceases the bias on the lower reservoir forces the system back to its static state and fluid returns to the upper reservoir. The tube and the two reservoirs can be formed from separate pieces, which can make the assembly process, or retro¬ fitting, easier, or can be formed from one integral piece. A buffer is provided around the upper reservoir to assure even flow through the reservoir and tube and to create a compressible environment. The buffer helps to prevent inadver¬ tent braking and to provide control of the degree of braking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other attributes of the present invention will be described with respect to the following drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of the rear portion of an in-ime skate showing the activation system of the present invention with some portions shown in phantom; FIG- 2 is a perspective view of a buffer of the present invention with the upper reservoir shown in phantom; FIG. 3 is a planar view of an upper reservoir, tube and expansion reservoir, made as separate units, according to the present invention; FIG. 4 s a side view of an in-line skate having a wheel contacting brake and an activation system according to the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a side view of an in-line skate having a ground contacting brake and an activation system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to figures 1-3, the activation system 10 of the present invention includes an upper reservoir 12, a lower reservoir or expansion chamber 14, and an interconnecting tube 16. The reservoirs 12 and 14 are made from polymeric material which s elastic enough to expand and still maintain its integrity. The tube 16 may be made from the same material as the reservoirs 12 and 14 or a more rigid material, as the tube 16 does not need to expand. As shown m figure 3, the upper reservoir 12, lower reservoir 14, and the tube 16 may be formed as separate parts. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper reservoir 12 and the lower reservoir 14 have external threads 18, whicn mate w th internal threads in the ends 20 of tube 16. By making the reservoirs 12 and 14 and the tube 16 separate parts, the construction of the braking system is facilitated. For example, referring to figure 1 , the tube 16 is fed inside of the skate cuff 30, outside of the lower boot section 35. By making the reservoirs 12 and 14 separate from the tube 16, the tube 16 can be worked into position, and the reservoirs subsequently attached. Consequently, such a separate construction makes it possible to retro-fit the brake actuation system of the present invention to existing skates. Alterna¬ tively, the reservoirs 12 and 14 and the tube 16 may be mtegral- ly formed from the same material, such as by blow molding. Regardless of whether the tube 16 and the reservoirs 12 and 14 are integral or separate parts, a fluid is contained by these elements to transfer braking force to the brakes. The fluid gas, such as air, liquid or gel. The actuation system 10 is a closed system so that it does not require the release or addition of fluid. If the reservoirs 12 and 14 and the tube 16 are integrally formed, the fluid injected into these elements during the molding process. If three separate parts are employed, the fluid is filled in the assembly process. In an actuation system 10 made from separate reservoirs 12 and 14, and tube 16, the system 10 would have to be bleedable for filling a proper amount of fluid during the assembly stage. The upper reservoir 12 would have a valve for bleeding the lines as well as a valve for injecting the fluid. The size of the reservoirs 12 and 1 , and the inner diameter of the tuoe 16 can be varied to change the reaction time and the performance of the brake actuation system 10. A cuff buffer 25, shown m figures 1 and 2 is utilized to assure even flow through the upper reservoir 12 and t e tube 16, as well as provide consistency m activation. The buffer 25 provides a compressible environment for the upper reservoir 12, and encircles the upper reservoir 12 to create an even compres¬ sion factor during braking. The buffer 25 helps maintain the proper position of the upper reservoir 12 and assures that any loss of compressive force is minimized. For example, without the buffer 25, the position of the upper reservoir 12 might shift resulting in an uneven application of braking force to the reservoir and a corresponding lack of sufficient braking force transferred to the brake. In addition, the buffer 25 protects against inadvertent activation of the brake actuation system 10. The buffer 25 is made from compressible material and w ll not transfer braking force to the reservoir 12 until it is sufficiently compressed. Thus, the compressibility of the buffer 25 provides a degree of safety in that unintended application of force to the upper reservoir 12, will not be transferred to the lower reservoir 14, unless the force exceeds the compressibility of the buffer 25. In a similar manner the buffer 25 gives the skater the ability to apply a range of braking. If the wearer wishes to slow down, but not stop, the buffer 25 gives the actuation system 10 the ability to transfer a wide range of braking force, instead of an all or nothing option. Thus, the application of pressure to the upper reservoir 12 through the buffer 25 is exact and controllable, providing the user the ability to brake at a desired level. As shown m figures 1 and 2 the upper reservoir 12 is bellows shaped, which is wider at the top and tapers down to the narrower bottom portion where it meets with the tube 16. The transfer of fluid to the lower reservoir is facilitated by sucn a construction, r.cwever, other shapes can be employed. The shape of the lower reservoir or expansion chamber 14 depends upon tne way the actuation system 10 is employed. For example, for a brake mechanism as taught n U.S. Patent No. 5,226,673 (Cech) and shown m figure 4, the brake pad moves towards tne wneel, so the lower reservoir 14 would be shaped so that it expands to push the brake into contact with the wheel. For a brake wnicn contacts the ground, as shown m figure 5, and taught m U.S. Patent No. 5,316,325, the lower expansion reservoir 14 would have cylindrical or round shape so that as it expands, the lower expansion reservoir 14 causes the brake pad to rotate about the wheel axis and contact the ground. The lower, expansion reservoir 14 is manufactured so that it can expand m one direction or in two opposing direc¬ tions. The circumference and one side of the lower reservoir 14 can be strengthened during the molding process so that it expands only in the direction of the weakest point, which is the unstrengthened side. Alternatively, the lower reservoir can be positioned inside of a direction constraint 40, as shown in figure 5. The directional constraint 40 surrounds the lower reservoir 14 so that expansion is inhibited in all but one direction. Regardless of the specific construction, the actuation system 10 of the present invention requires a mechanism to bias the reservoirs to the non-braking state. The mechanism or return 50, as shown m Figure 5, can be a spring mounted so that it offers resistance to the expansion of the lower reservoir 14. When the pressure ceases to be applied to the upper reservoir 12 through the buffer 25, the spring 50, or a return buffer, forces the fluid out of the lower reservoir 14, so that the skate is ready for further activation. While a spring is disclosed n figure 5, any device or material wnich is sufficiently resilient to resist compression and deactivate the brake will work. A support for the spring 50 or other resilient device is required to provide leverage. In figure 5 the angled section 60 extending radially from the axle of the wheel acts as such a support. Having described an embodiment of the brake actuation system in accordance with the present invention, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the description set forth above. It is therefor to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scooe of the invention as defined in the aDDended claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A skate brake actuation system comprising: an upper reservoir, a lower expandable reservoir, a tube connecting said upper reservoir and said lower reservoir, means for transferring force to said upper reservoir causing fluid contained n said upper reservoir to move through said tube to said lower expandable reservoir, and means for applying pressure to said lower reservoir so said fluid returns to said upper reservoir wnen said force to said upper reservoir ceases, said lower expandable reservoir being disposed so as to activate sa d skate brake. 2. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said upper reservoir, said tube and said lower expandable reservoir form a closed system for containing said fluid. 3. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim 1 , wherein said means for transferring force is a resilient buffer. 4. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim 3, wherein said buffer surrounds said upper reservoir. 5. A skate brake actuation system as recited n claim 2, wherein said upper reservoir, said tube and said lower expandable reservoir are formed integrally. 6. A skate brake actuation system as recited n claim 1 , wherein said fluid is a liquid. 7. A skate brake actuation system as recited n claim 1, wherein said fluid is a gas. 8. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim I, wherein said fluid is a gel. 9. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said lower expandable reservoir expands in at least one or two directions. 10. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim 9, wherein said lower expandable reservoir is formed so that at least one side is weaker than all other parts of said lower expandable reservoir, so that said lower expandable reservoir expands towards said at least one weaker side. 11. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 9, wherein said lower expandable reservoir is disposed in a directional constraint so that expansion of said lower expandable reservoir is isolated to at least one desired direction. 12. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein sa d means for applying pressure to said lower expandable reservoir is a spring. 13. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for supporting said spring so that said spring forces said fluid to return to said upper reservoir when said force to said upper reservoir ceases. 14. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said skate brake is a ground contacting brake. 15. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said skate brake is a disc brake. 16. A skate brake actuation system as recited n claim 3, wherein said buffer is positioned behind a leg of a skater. 17. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said upper reservoir is wider at an upper edge and tapers downward to a narrower edge where it connects to said tube. 18. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said means for applying pressure to said lower expandable reservoir is a resilient buffer. 19. A skate brake actuation system comprising: an upper reservoir, a lower expandable reservoir capable of expanding in at least one direction, a tube connecting said upper reservoir and said lower reservoir, a resilient buffer, positioned between a liner surrounding a skaters ankle and a cuff of said skate and surrounding said upper reservoir, for transferring force to said upper reservoir causing fluid contained in said upper reservoir to move through said tube to said lower expandable reservoir, a spring for applying pressure to said lower reservoir, and means for supporting said spring so that said spring forces said fluid to return to said upper reservoir when said force to said upper reservoir ceases. said lower expandable reservoir being disposed so as to activate said skate brake upon expansion of said lower expandable reservoir in said one direction. 20. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 19, wherein said upper reservoir is wider at an upper edge and tapers downward to a narrower edge where it connects to said tube. 21. A skate brake actuation system as recited in claim 16, wherein said buffer is disposed at a top of a skate cuff. 22. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim 16, wherein said buffer is disposed between a liner and a cuff of said skate. 23. A skate brake actuation system as recited m claim 16, wherein said buffer is built internally in said skate.

Inventors: DALEY PETER A, DALEY, PETER, A.
Applicants: DALEY PETER A, DALEY, PETER, A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A63C17
IPC codes: A63C17