Skate Braking System

Abstract

A skate braking system includes a first wheel mount for holding wheels and a second wheel mount for holding additional wheels. A mounting plate is pivotally attached to the first and second wheel mounts. A first side brake mount for holding a first side brake pad and a second side brake mount for holding a second side brake pad are coupled to the mounting plate. The first side brake pad engages a skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted laterally in a first direction relative to the wheel mounts. The second side brake pad engages the skating surface when mounting plate is tilted laterally in a second direction opposite the first direction. The braking system may further include a biasing device for urging the mounting plate to have a normal orientation at which the first and second side brake pads do not engage the skating surface.

1 . A skate braking system comprising:
 a first wheel mount adapted to rotatably hold a first wheel about a first rotational axis extending laterally;   a mounting plate pivotally attached to the first wheel mount so as to permit the mounting plate to tilt laterally; and   a first side brake mount adapted to hold a first side brake pad for engaging a skating surface contacting the first wheel, the first side brake mount coupled to the mounting plate such that the side brake pad engages the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted in a first lateral direction.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first side brake mount includes an adjustment device configured to selectively secure the first side brake mount to the mounting plate in a plurality of orientations including a first orientation in which the first side brake pad engages the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted through a first angle, and a second orientation in which the first side brake pad engages the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted through a second angle less than the first angle. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second side brake mount adapted to hold a second side brake pad for engaging the skating surface, the second side brake mount coupled to the mounting plate such that the second side brake pad engages the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting plate is pivotally coupled to the first wheel mount at a tilt axis located closer to the skating surface than the first rotational axis. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first wheel mount is configured to rotatably hold a first plurality of wheels including the first wheel. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second wheel mount adapted to rotatably hold a second wheel about a second rotational axis, the second wheel mount pivotally attached to the mounting plate so as to permit the mounting plate to tilt laterally. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the second wheel mount is configured to rotatable hold a second plurality of wheels including the second wheel. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a forward brake mount and a rear break mount, the forward brake mount pivotally attached to the first wheel mount and adapted to hold a forward brake pad, the rear break mount pivotally attached to the second wheel mount and adapted to hold a rear brake pad. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a support member fixedly attached to the mounting plate, the support member disposed between the first and second wheel mounts and pivotally attached to both the first and second wheel mounts about a bore formed through the support member;   a rod including a forward portion attached to the first wheel mount and a rear portion attached to the second wheel mount, the rod extending through the bore formed through the support member.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a tilt sensitivity adjustment device configured to control resistance of the mounting plate to tilting laterally. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the tilt sensitivity adjustment device includes a threaded member in thread engagement with the rear portion of the rod, the threaded member configured to be rotated so as to move axially in relation to the rod, the threaded member further configured to push the second wheel mount toward the first wheel mount, thereby altering compression applied by the first and second wheel mounts to the support member. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting plate has a normal orientation in which the first side brake pad does not engage the skating surface;
 the system further comprising a biasing device configured to urge the mounting plate to the normal orientation when the mounting plate is tilted laterally away from the normal orientation.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the biasing device comprises a spring member having a first end constrained within a slot formed in the mounting plate and a second end fixedly attached to the first wheel mount, the first end configured to move within the slot. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the biasing device comprises at least one flat plate formed of a resilient material configured to flex so as to allow the mounting plate to tilt laterally. 
   
   
       15 . A skate braking system comprising:
 a first wheel mount adapted to rotatably hold a first wheel about a rotational axis;   a mounting plate pivotally attached to the first wheel mount so as to allow the mounting plate to tilt about a tilt axis oriented at an angle from the rotational axis, the mounting plate having normal orientation in relation to the first wheel mount; and   a side brake mount adapted to hold a side brake pad for engaging a skating surface contacting the first wheel, the side brake mount coupled to the mounting plate such that the side brake pad does not engage the skating surface when the mounting plate is in the normal orientation and engages the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted away from the normal orientation.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the tilt axis is located at a first distance from the slating surface, and the second rotational axis is located at a second distance from the skating surface, the second distance greater than or equal to the first distance. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the mounting plate has a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first wheel, the longitudinal axis being parallel to the skating surface when the mounting plate is tilted away from the normal orientation. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a foot platform and the mounting plate forms part of the foot platform. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a second wheel mount adapted to rotatably hold a second wheel about a second rotational axis, the second wheel mount pivotally attached to the mounting plate so as to permit the mounting plate to tilt about the tilt axis;   a support member fixedly attached to the mounting plate, the support member disposed between the first and second wheel mounts and pivotally attached to both the first and second wheel mounts about a bore formed through the support member; and   a rod including a forward portion attached to the first wheel mount and a rear portion attached to the second wheel mount, the rod extending through the bore formed through the support member.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a spring member having a first end loosely attached to the mounting plate and a second end fixedly attached to the first wheel mount, the spring member configured to urge the mounting plate to the normal orientation when the mounting plate is tilted away from the normal orientation.