EP-4520410-B1 - WEATHER-RESISTANT ROLLER TRACK

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240906

Claims (9)

1. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising: - a support structure (101, 201, 301, 401) and - a rolling surface (102), wherein the rolling surface (102) comprises at least one plastic (103, 203, 303, 403) and a coating (104, 204, 304, 404) and characterised in that the ratio of plastic (103, 203, 303, 403) to coating (104, 204, 304, 404) is in the range of 3:1 to 10:1.
2. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the plastic (103, 203, 303, 403) is a fibre-reinforced plastic.
3. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 2, wherein the fibre-reinforced plastic comprises recycled textile fibres.
4. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fibre-reinforced plastic comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), polybutylene, polyamide (PA), and polyester (PET).
5. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to at least one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fibre-reinforced plastic has a density in the range of 900 to 1200 kg/m 3 .
6. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to at least one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the fibre-reinforced plastic has a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of 5·10 -5 1/°C to 9·10 -5 1/°C.
7. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coating (104, 204, 304, 404) is a thermoset.
8. Roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support structure (101, 201, 301, 401) comprises hot-dip galvanised steel.
9. Use of a roller track (100, 200, 300, 400) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9 in a recreational sports facility.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a roller track, as well as the use of the roller track. Recreational sports facilities, such as skateboard ramps, are becoming increasingly popular. These ramps are frequently installed in public parks and recreational facilities. Classic skateboard ramps consist of a steel substructure and a running surface made of hardwood or sheet metal. An example of a skate park with a wooden running surface is described in the EP 0 796 641 A1 An exemplary skate park with a metal running surface is described in the DE 10 2005 034 444 A1 . Hardwood, as a renewable resource, has a certain degree of environmental friendliness; however, the lifespan of structures made from hardwood is limited. Even with good maintenance, hardwood decomposes and offers only limited weather resistance. Sheet metal as a walking surface has a longer lifespan compared to hardwood, but the noise pollution from using the ramp is considerable for the surrounding area. Skateboard ramps made of plastic are also now being described. DE 09112648 U1 It reveals a skateboard park made of prefabricated polyethylene elements. Rolling surfaces, which include plastics, are also used in the... CA 2087554 A1 and WO 2023/215983 A revealed. The object of the present invention is to provide a roller track that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. This task is described by a roller track according to claim 1 and the use of the roller track according to claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. A roller track according to the invention comprises: a supporting structure and a rolling surface, whereby the rolling surface has at least one plastic and one coating, and the ratio of plastic to coating is in the range of 3:1 to 10:1. A skate park can be a ramp, for example, a ramp for a skateboard park. The skate park can be designed as a halfpipe, quarterpipe, or even as a flat surface. A flat surface can also have an incline or decline. The ramp could also be a scooter ramp. A roller skating ramp and/or a portable ramp for rolling are also conceivable. A roller track according to the invention has a rolling surface comprising at least one plastic material. The plastic is preferably a non-biodegradable material. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic is a fiber-reinforced plastic. A fiber-reinforced plastic, also known as a fiber-reinforced plastic composite, is a material consisting of a plastic matrix into which fibers are embedded. The fibers can provide reinforcement. Fiber-reinforced plastics typically exhibit high specific stiffness and strength. This makes them suitable materials for lightweight applications, especially for sheet applications. The mechanical and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced plastics can be adjusted via a wide variety of parameters. In addition to the fiber-matrix combination, the fiber angle, fiber volume fraction, layer sequence, and much more can be varied. Fiber-reinforced plastics belong to the class of fiber-reinforced materials (fiber composites), which in turn belong to the class of composite materials. Fiber-reinforced plastic can be a thermoplastic composite material. Fiber-reinforced plastics can be produced by extrusion, compression molding, injection molding, and thermoforming, whereby fibers are dispersed in a molten plastic mixture. Due to their hardness and The particle structure of optional additives can be used to adjust, for example, tensile and compressive strength. The use of fibers in fiber-reinforced plastics also allows for the adjustment of the material's weight. By using low-density fibers, the material's weight can be reduced while simultaneously achieving reinforcement and stabilization effects. The fibers in question can be textile fibers. Examples of textile fibers include cellulose, glass, carbon, or aramid fibers. These textile fibers can be processed into woven or nonwoven fabrics. An example of a fiber-reinforced plastic is WPC (wood-plastic composite). WPC can consist of cellulose fibers embedded in a plastic matrix. Fiber-reinforced plastics can also contain fillers and/or additives. Depending on the application, fillers such as glass or carbon fibers, or additives such as flame retardants, dyes, or UV stabilizers, may be added. Using suitable fibers can also reduce the CO2 footprint and increase the sustainability of the material. The use of biocompatible and/or recycled fibers can reduce the CO2 footprint and simultaneously increase sustainability. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber-reinforced plastic comprises recycled textile fibers. By using such fibers, the CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 60%, preferably up to 70%, and more preferably up to 85%, compared to a plastic without fiber reinforcement. The use of recycled textile fibers can therefore increase sustainability. The proporti