Skate Board Spike
The present invention involves a spikeboard spike, consisting of an ergonomic handle, a tapered shaft, and a carbide metal tip. This invention is designed for the sport of spikeboarding, a revolutionary new sport that requires a full-body, physical motion to propel the skateboarder forward. Where skateboarders typically propel themselves forward with one foot, spikeboarding enables the skateboarder to simultaneously push with one foot while thrusting a spikeboard spike into the ground with the opposite side's hand. This combination of skateboarding with the lower body and cross-country skiing with the upper body has never been done before. As a result, this motion permits the skateboarder to achieve speeds, on uphill and flat terrain, previously unknown to skateboarders. The object of the present invention is to provide skateboarders with a one- or two-handed propulsion device necessary for the sport of spikeboarding.
The present invention relates to skateboards and skateboarding and, more particularly, is related to spikeboard spikes used to propel a skateboarder forward, either as a one-handed or two-handed device, in all weather conditions and on all terrains.
The sport of skateboarding has been evolving at a rapid pace. Traditionally, skateboarders were limited to direct propulsion with one foot. This motion was problematic because fatigue quickly set in, thereby making it difficult for skateboarders—even the fittest—to skate extended distances or on uphill terrain. Recently, however, skateboarders have started using their upper body and hands to propel themselves forward with a land paddle-type device. This two-handed paddling motion, known as stand up land paddling, requires the skateboarder to place both feet on the board and paddle in a manner identical to a stand up paddle surfer. The problem though is that this two-handed paddling motion prevents the skateboarder from simultaneously using his feet as a propulsion device.
Spikeboarding is a revolutionary new sport that combines skateboarding and cross-country skiing into one fluid motion as depicted in
Document U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0236816 discloses a skateboard street paddle designed for two-handed stand up land paddling. This land paddle comprises a shaft made of a sturdy, elongated material, a cylindrical handle disposed perpendicular to the shaft, and a foot shaped as a wheel affixed to a hub. The preferred material for the foot is an impact resistant material, such as high-density rubber. The foot's material and design provide the skateboarder with a contact point for both propelling himself forward and applying force against the ground to slow down (i.e. create drag). The foot can also be planted in a stationary spot and used as a pivot point for tricks.
The primary problem with current skateboard paddles is the shape and material used for the foot. As noted, the foot is designed to provide the skateboarder with a braking device by creating friction when dragged across the road surface. Because the foot is designed to slide, however, it fails to provide the skateboarder with a solid contact point with the road surface. As a result, the rubber foot often slips and becomes ineffective during high intensity land paddling on flat and uphill surfaces. This slippage makes it futile to attempt to use the skateboard paddle as a one-handed propulsion device. The rubber material also fails to provide a solid contact point in inclement weather when the road surface is wet or covered in snow or ice. Finally, the rubber foot, upon use, quickly wears down, resulting in an uneven shape and even more slippage. For these reasons, the rubber foot is unsuitable for the sport of spikeboarding.
Another problem with current skateboard paddles can be traced to the flawed design of the handle. For example, the skateboard street paddle disclosed in US Patent Application No. 2009/0236816 relies upon a rudimentary cylindrical handle oriented perpendicular to the shaft. This handle is not ergonomically designed to fit into the skateboarder's palm. As a result, it fails to maximize the vertical transfer of power from the skateboarder's hands, down the shaft, and into the road surface. Skateboarders must therefore use both hands when stand up land paddling with the skateboard street paddle.
Finally, the heavy weight of current skateboard paddles effectively mandates a two-handed paddling motion.
Other poles exhibit similar flaws to the skateboard street paddle, thereby making them unsuited to the sport of spikeboarding. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,710 discloses a Roller Skating Pole designed to assist in-line roller skaters control their forward speed. To provide a breaking surface, the tip of the pole is made from synthetic or natural rubber. As a result of these materials though, the Roller Skating Pole will slip and wear down much like the rubber foot disclosed in US Patent Application No. 2009/0236816. Similarly, the Roller Skating Pole is designed with a rudimentary grip, namely the upper-end of the pole itself. Again, the problem with this grip is that it fails to maximize the transfer of power down the shaft and into the road surface.
Thus, the principal object of the present invention is to provide the skateboarder with a one- or two-handed propulsion device uniquely designed for the one-handed cubi x cross maneuver and two-handed SUS. This is achieved with the spikeboard spike as claimed in the present application.
Each element of the spikeboard spike is designed to produce a one- or two-handed propulsion device essential for the sport of spikeboarding.
The ergonomic handle is designed to maximize the transfer of energy into the spikeboard spike. As shown in
In a further embodiment, the spike contains a power transmission hook as illustrated in
As noted previously, the spikeboard spike allows skateboarders to propel themselves uphill and gain elevation. Inevitably then, skateboarders will have to descend back downhill. In the downhill discipline of spikeboarding, the skateboarder must be free to put on a pair of slide gloves and use both hands to pivot and slide. This two-handed sliding motion permits the skateboarder to check his speed. In order to perform this check-sliding motion, the skateboarder must be able to temporarily store the spikeboard spike. Thus, another embodiment of the spikeboard spike includes a telescoping spike as depicted at
The quick attachment device contains two components: a base plate depicted at
The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A spikeboard spike, comprising
- an ergonomic handle that fits and supports the palm of the skateboarder's hand,
- a tapered shaft made from lightweight materials, and
- a carbide metal tip that is asymmetrically shaped to create a sharp edge.
2. A spikeboard spike as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- the shaft can be telescoped down to an ideal length for temporary storage on the deck of the skateboard.
3. A spikeboard spike as claimed in claim 1, including an attachment cleat located just below the ergonomic handle which can then be quickly engaged with a base-plate attached to either the front or rear truck bolts on a skateboard deck.
4. A spikeboard spike as claimed in claim 1 which includes a power-transmission hook.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2012
Inventor: Enrique G. Cubillo (New York, NY)
Application Number: 13/091,110