FR2782273A1 - All-terrain wheel board comprises housings at curved ends, with articulations fixed to axles - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible but resistant board (1) has at its two curved ends housings receiving bases (5) with articulations fixed to the axles (12). The axles have wheels (13) which pivot according to the inclination of the board caused by the pressure exerted on it by the user. The board has a pair of foot wedges (2).

Description

-1- The present invention relates to a wheeled vehicle for evolving

on a slope whose

  soil is irregular under excellent control conditions.

  The descent of such spaces can be practiced on foot, by bicycle, with skis on grass but none of the means usually employed offer the possibility of maneuvering in the manner

  s of a snowboard, or to find the sensations.

  The use of a traditional skateboard demonstrates its ineffectiveness to progress on

the types of land targeted.

  The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks.

  According to a first characteristic, it indeed includes a board, the main part of

  4o the invention, to which various constituent elements are combined.

  These elements (footpegs, joints, axles, wheels.) Exist but their design

  initial does not intend them for the use exposed here They appear however perfectly adapted.

  The board is therefore specially designed to meet the required mechanical criteria and

  to allow the mounting of these parts.

  s According to particular embodiments:

  - The board is made of materials endowing it with a flexible and resistant structure.

  - The profile of the board is drawn such that it absorbs shock and vibration, thus ensuring

satisfactory suspension.

  The board is curved in the middle and its two ends are curved. This shape

  technique attributes the properties of a spring leaf to the board.

  - Two housings are fitted under each end of the board. They welcome

joints bases.

  Placed in this way, the axle-axle-wheel assemblies reflect the loads received during a descent to the ends of the board which, thanks to its elastic properties

stabilizes the machine.

  In addition, one wheel axis is at the same level as the central part of the board supporting the user; Thus, the center of gravity is lowered, which favors balance and

increased support.

  - The joints are like skateboard trains. They work according to

the same principle of pivoting.

  For reasons of solidity and stability, they are oversized.

  - The toe clips are attached to the board. They are arranged on the central part of each -2- sides of the curve, at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the feet of the user, at

  level of the bending of the ends.

  The footpegs allow the user to stay in position without being ejected during the

  descend and support its driving to guide the craft.

  S The supports that the user applies with his heels or toes on the edges of the

  board cause it to tilt.

  Through the joints, the board transmits this movement to the front axles and

  rear that rotate, and the wheels rotate.

  The user thus controls its direction, therefore its trajectory.

  - The wheels, with a diameter suitable for the types of terrain concerned, are fitted with studded tires.

  Their size ensures good precision on uneven ground. - Rubber plates are inserted between the bases of the joints and their housings to improve the absorption of vibrations.

  s5 The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

  - Figure 1 shows in projection the board.

  - Figure 2 shows in perspective the machine.

  - Figure 3 shows in section an assembly detail.

  With reference to these drawings, by way of example and according to the technical means used for manufacturing the prototypes, the machine is made up of: - A boardQ made from four plywood plates () (and @ de

five millimeters thick.

  - Two rectangles are cut at the ends () of the lower plate @ in the axis of the board (), thus materializing the housings (). Their dimensions allow

  2s to embed the bases () of the joints ().

  - The plates G) (and (i are laminated under pressure. A setting ensures the setting

  in characteristic shape in leaf spring.

  The board O) is curved in the middle of a height (between three and five

  centimeters over a length () corresponding to the distance between the feet of the user.

  The ends (i) are bent upwards over the entire remaining length at the level of the housings) at an angle () between 20 and 45.

  Hollowed out plates () are superimposed on the housings (under the board (D.

  -3- They allow the rubber plates to be inserted (between the housings () and the

  bases () of the joints (ô) ensuring their embedding.

  These plates (are glued and screwed under the board ().

  - The assembly is then covered with fiberglass (B) on its two faces.

  - The final contours of the board) are then drawn, then cut out. - A hole O of ten millimeters in diameter is drilled in each of the housings (i) for

  allow the passage of the fixing screws () of the bases () of the joints).

  - Finally, the constituent elements are assembled on the board (t).

  These elements are chosen for their mechanical characteristics which are particularly suitable for

the intended use.

  The base units (- joints () - axles - wheels (come from a

  windsurfing board used on sandy beaches.

  The rear axle (narrower than axle 1). Thus, the machine enters more quickly

  cornering while remaining stable.

  s The wheels (are thirty centimeters in diameter; they are fitted with tires for children's mountain bikes. Their half ball structure makes it possible to reduce irregularities in the

  ground and studded sculpture contributes to a better hold on the ground or on the grass.

  Figure 2 shows the board (D-fitted with toe clips (g) and base assemblies () -

joints - axles - wheels.

  o - The toe clips are screwed on the board () symmetrically in the axis at a distance ()

  corresponding to the spacing of the user's feet.

  Figure 3 shows in section an assembly detail.

  - The bases () are fixed in the housings (, O by means of the screws (&) passing through the

holes (.

  zs5 The rubber plates () are inserted between the housings () and the bases ().

  - The joints (i) are mounted on the bases (. They are integral with the axles (to which the wheels are fixed)

  * Bumpers are placed under the board (. They protect the joints.

  * A safety strap is attached to the board l. It is linked to the user. She

retains the machine in the event of a fall.

  * The support of the feet is reinforced by the installation of an adhesive non-slip and a stop

wedging the heel.

-4-

  * These devices are not shown in the illustrations.

  By way of nonlimiting example, the board has dimensions of the order of 1.20 meters for the

  length and 26 centimeters for width; its thickness is 2 centimeters.

  The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the sports and leisure industry.

-5-

Claims (5)

- CLAIMS -   1) Wheeled machine for descending an all terrain slope characterized in that it comprises a board (flexible and resistant having at its two ends () housings () accommodating bases (provided with articulations (integral with axles provided wheels (@ swiveling according to the inclination of the board) caused by the pressure exerted on it by the user.  2) Machine according to claim 1) characterized in that the board (Q) consists of flexible and resistant materials structured in the form of a leaf spring, ends () bent at an angle) and curved from a height over a length @ corresponding to the distance between the feet of the user. 3) Machine according to claim 1) or claim 2) characterized in that the housings () to which the plates are superimposed have dimensions allowing the embedding of   bases () as well as the interposition of rubbers (). 4) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housings) are located under the curved ends (ô) of the board).   5) Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the board (l} comprises a pair of toe clips () fixed on the part welcoming the user   symmetrically at a distance) corresponding to the spacing of its feet, at the level of the bending of the ends).