SPARK POLE

Abstract

A spark pole is useful for controlling the movement of a rider of a wheeled device over a skating surface, and for generating sparks as the rider moves with respect to the skating surface. The spark pole has a shaft with a handle at one end and a grinding head at the other end. The grinding head supports at least one spark-producing body that generates sparks when it frictionally engages a skating surface. The grinding head also has a grinding head for frictional engagement with the skating surface to control the rider's movement along the skating surface. The shaft is preferably telescoping and adjustable in length.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority to earlier filed U.S. provisional patent application 61/904,964, filed Nov. 15, 2013, the entire contents thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recreational devices and, more particularly, to a pole a user of a skateboard, rollerblade and roller skates can use to maintain balance, to provide thrust, propel, to brake their speed and to create sparks.

Currently, skateboards, roller skates and roller blades have no handheld means to control their speed and maintain balance. Accordingly, users of skateboards must jump off or drag their foot if they cannot maintain their balance at speeds they cannot control by means of the skateboard.

Simultaneously, spark generation is currently a popular addition to skateboards, roller skates and roller blades. However, many of such additions are integrated into the apparatus, requiring a user to adjust or displace the skateboards, roller skates and roller blades in order to create the sparks. For example, the user would have to lift the front wheels off of the skating surface in order to engage the spark material and create sparks. As it is generally desirable for the user of skateboards, roller skates and roller blades to keep as many wheels on the skating surface, such spark creation can cause accidents.

As can be seen, there is a need for a hand-held device that allows the user of skateboards, roller skates and roller blades to advance, maneuver, slow, propel and balance their movement along a skating surface that also allows them to safely create sparks for their recreational enjoyment.

There is a need for a spark creation device that does not disrupt the normal operation and use of a skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a spark pole that allows a user to generate a spark while riding a wheeled device, such as a skateboard, a pair of rollerblades, a pair of roller skates, or a similar device. While the present invention has particular application in use with such a wheeled device, it may also be used with other activities, such as running and jumping over objects.

In general, the spark pole has a shaft with a spark generating body at one end of the shaft. A user, or rider, carries the spark pole while riding a wheeled device. The rider can selectively engage a spark-generating surface of the spark pole with a surface, such as a concrete surface, an asphalt surface, a metal surface, or a similar skating surface, to generate sparks. The rider can also selectively engage a ground tip of the spark pole with the skating surface, to brake the rider or even propel the rider. The spark generating surface and the ground tip are preferably located adjacent each other, on a grinding head secured at one end of the shaft.

The use of the exemplary embodiment of the spark pole will be described herein as it would be used by a rider of a skateboard, but the spark pole is useful for use by riders of other wheeled devices or any type of physical activity.

The exemplary embodiment of the spark pole has a shaft having a first end and a second end. A handle is located at the first end of the shaft, and is configured to allow the rider to comfortably hold the spark pole while riding the skateboard. A grinding head is located at the second end of the shaft. At least one spark-producing body is supported by the grinding head and extends from the grinding head.

Preferably, the grinding head also has a ground tip, which allows the rider to brake the skateboard. The ground tip has a surface that is substantially or entirely non-spark-generating. The ground tip is preferably made of rubber. When a rider causes the ground tip to frictionally engage the ground over which the rider travels on the skateboard, the resulting friction slows the skateboard and rider.

The shaft of the exemplary embodiment of the spark pole is a shaft assembly that preferably has two shaft members but may also be one member or more than two members. A first shaft member and a second shaft member each have an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the first shaft member engages the upper end of the second shaft member when the shaft members are assembled to form the spark shaft assembly. The upper end of the first shaft member forms the first end of the shaft assembly, and the lower end of the second shaft member forms the second end of the shaft assembly.

The shaft is preferably telescoping to make the spark pole usable by riders of different heights, and to make the spark pole capable of convenient storage, in the exemplary embodiment, the first and second shaft members are telescoping members. One of the shaft members is an outer telescoping member, and the other is an inner telescoping member. An end of the outer telescoping shaft member receivably engages an end of the inner telescoping shaft member when a user assembles the shaft members to form the shaft assembly. The telescoping members can be secured in fixed spatial relation relative to each other in at least one position.

In the exemplary embodiment, the shaft has a central axis that extends from the first end to the second end, and the spark-producing bodies are cylindrical, each having a central axis that is not parallel with the shaft's central axis. The rider can safely drag the pole behind the skateboard or alongside the skateboard, as described in more detail herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, the spark-producing body comprises ferrocerium.

Although the spark pole has been described in relation to the exemplary embodiment, other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision of a hand-held spark pole that allows a rider of skateboards, roller skates and roller blades to advance, maneuver, slow and balance their movement along a skating surface; the provision of a hand-held spark pole that allows a user to safely create sparks for their recreational enjoyment; the provision of a hand-held spark pole that can be comfortably held by a user. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole of the present invention, as it would be used by a skateboard rider to generate sparks on a skating surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole in a shortened configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole in an extended configuration;

FIG. 4 is a close-up more detailed view of the lower end of an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole;

FIG. 5 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a fastener extending through the lower end of the shaft;

FIG. 7B is a front view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the handle of an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole; and

FIG. 9 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the shaft assembly of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper end of the second shaft member of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the lower end of the first shaft member of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the second shaft member, showing the keying ridge;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the first shaft member, showing the keying groove;

FIG. 15A is a side view of one embodiment of the first shaft member;

FIG. 15B is a front view thereof; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of one embodiment of the second shaft member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the spark pole of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-12 As will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant spark pole provides a hand-held pole that allows a rider of skateboards, roller skates and roller blades to advance, maneuver, slow and balance their movement along a skating surface, as well as to generate sparks as the rider travels along the skating surface.

The following detailed description discloses the best currently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, the present invention provides a spark pole 10. The spark pole 10 may include a handle 12, a shaft 14 and a grinding head 16 having at least one spark stick (or spark-producing body) 18 and a ground tip 20. Preferably, there is a plurality of spark sticks 18 on the grinding head 16.

A single spark pole 10 can be comfortably used by individuals of different heights. The user may adjust the height of the spark pole 10 to a comfortable length and hold it in at least one hand while traveling by skateboard, roller skate or roller blades. The user may then use the spark pole ground tip 20 on the skating surface for balancing, slowing and propelling by dragging, pushing off, paddling or grinding. The user may frictionally contact the spark sticks 18 into the skating surface so that sparks are created.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of the spark pole 10 of the present invention is shown being used by a rider 100 of a skateboard 200. The spark pole 10 has a handle 12, a shaft assembly 14 and a grinding head 16. Spark generating bodies 18 are secured to the grinding head 16, and extend from the grinding head 16 so they can contact a skating surface 300. The rider 100 of FIG. 1 is traveling along the skating surface 300, while holding the spark sticks 18 in contact with the skating surface 300 to generate sparks 400 on the skating surface 300 near the rider 100.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an exemplary embodiment of the spark pole 10, as it would be provided to a rider. FIG. 2 shows the spark pole 10 in a shortened configuration, useful for a shorter rider or a rider who prefers to ride in a crouched position. FIG. 3 shows the spark pole 10 in an extended configuration.

Generally, the spark pole 10 has a shaft, or shaft assembly, 14. The shaft 14 has a first end 15A and a second end 15B. A handle 12 is located at the first end 15A of the shaft 14. A grinding head 16 is located at the second end 15B of the shaft 14. At least one spark-producing body 18 extends from the grinding head 16. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, there are three spark-producing bodies 18 that extend from the grinding head 16. Any number of spark-producing bodies 18 may be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention.

While the shaft 14 could be constructed as a solid, integral piece, the exemplary embodiment provides a shaft 14 that is a shaft assembly. The shaft 14 has a first shaft member 22 and a second shaft member 24. The first shaft member 22 has an upper end and a lower end. The second shaft member 24 has an upper end and a lower end. When the first and second shaft members 22, 24 are assembled to form the shaft 14, the lower end of the first shaft member 22 engages the upper end of the second shaft member 24, at least initially during the shaft assembly process.

The first and second shaft members 22, 24 are preferably telescoping shaft members 22, 24, with one of the shaft members being an inner telescoping member and the other shaft member being an outer telescoping member. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first shaft member 22 is the inner telescoping member, and the second shaft member 24 is the outer telescoping member. The first shaft member 22 extends through an opening 26 in the second shaft member 24, and is slidably received in the second member 24.

To allow the rider to shorten or extend the spark pole 10, the first and second shaft members 22, 24 are securable in multiple positions with respect to each other. In the preferred embodiment, there are holes 28 spaced apart along the length of the second shaft member 24, and there is a button 30 that is spring biased to extend radially outwardly from the first shaft member 22. To assemble the telescoping shaft members 22, 24, the user depresses the spring biased button 30 so the first shaft member 22 can be received in the opening 26 of the second shaft member 24. Then, the user slides the first shaft member further into the second shaft member 26. When the spring-biased button is aligned with a hole 28, it extends radially through the hole to prevent relative axial displacement of the first and second shaft members. To move the button from one hole to another, and thereby effect a change in the overall length of the shaft 14, the user depresses the button so it does not extend into the adjacent hole, and displaces the shaft members relative to each other in the axial direction of the shaft 14.

The button 30 is configured to engage the holes to provide an overall shaft assembly 14 that is substantially rigid to axial shortening or lengthening when the spring-biased button 30 is not depressed by a user. Thus, when a rider applies an axial force on the shaft 14, for example, to engage the grinding head 16 with the skating surface 300, the button 30 and the respective hole 28 resist relative axial displacement of the first shaft member 22 with respect to the second shaft member 24.

The number of holes and spacing of the holes 28 determine the variety of overall shaft 14 lengths available to a rider.

For generating sparks on a skating surface, and for controlling the rider's movement along a skating surface 300, the spark pole 10 has a grinding head 16, shown in FIGS. 4-7.

The grinding head 16 supports spark-producing bodies 18 for engaging the skating surface 300. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, there are three spark-producing bodies 18 that are in the form of substantially cylindrical rods.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the grinding head 16 of the spark pole 10. The spark-producing bodies 18 extend from the grinding head 16 at an angle with the axis of the shaft 14. Initially, they extend both radially and axially from the grinding head 16, so a rider can easily cause them to contact a skating surface 300 without causing the grinding head to directly contact the skating surface 300. As the spark-producing bodies 18 wear down from use, it is still possible to use the spark pole 10 to produce sparks without causing additional frictional engagement of the grinding head 16 with the skating surface 300. The spark-producing bodies 18 extend from a chamfered surface 32 on the grinding head 16. The rider preferably holds the spark pole 10 so the chamfered surface 32 is in facing adjacent relation with the skating surface 300. This allows the spark-producing bodies 18 to engage the skating surface 300 without requiring direct contact between the grinding head 16 and the skating surface 300.

The grinding head 16 also supports a ground tip 20. The rider can frictionally engage the ground tip 20 with the skating surface 300 to brake the travel of the rider along the skating surface, to propel the rider, or to otherwise control or steer the rider's movement along the skating surface.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show how the grinding head 16 is secured to the shaft by a fastener 34. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fastener 34 is threaded and extends through the grinding head 16 and the shaft 14, with a head portion 36 of the threaded fastener 34 seated on one side of the grinding head end 16 and a nut 38 seated on the opposite side of the grinding head 16. In another embodiment, there is a first threaded fastener 34 extending through a wall of the grinding head 16 and secured in the shaft 14, and there is a similar second threaded fastener 34 extending through an opposite portion of the wall of the grinding head 16 and secured in the shaft 14. In another embodiment, the grinding head 16 is fastened to the shaft 14 by an adhesive. Other fastening methods are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The threaded fastener 34 allows a user to replace the grinding head 16 when it has been subjected to excessive wear. For example, the user may wish to replace a worn ground tip 20 or worn spark-producing bodies 18.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the handle 12 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 14. The handle 12 can be secured on the shaft 14 by an adhesive, another fastener, or by press fitting the handle 12 to the shaft 14. The handle 12 provides an ergonomic portion that allows a rider to comfortably control the position and orientation of the shaft 14. Rotation of the shaft 14 about its axis allows the user to selectively engage the spark-producing bodies 18 with the skating surface 300.

The handle 12 may be made from suitable material that may be comfortable, allows for firm control and reduces vibration. Such suitable material may be plastic, rubber, various laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials or the like.

FIGS. 10-12 provide additional views of the structure of the telescoping shaft members 22, 24 of shaft 14. The first shaft member 22 and second shaft member 24 are dimensioned so the second shaft member 24 can receive at least a portion of the first shaft member 22 in a cavity defined within the second shaft member 24. The outer surface of the first shaft member 22 is dimensioned and configured to provide a snug fit with the second shaft member 24. Thus, lateral movement of the first member 22 with respect to the second member 24 due to lateral loading of the first member 22 is substantially limited or entirely prevented. FIG. 10 shows the first and second members 22,24 before they have been assembled to form the shaft assembly 14 of the spark pole 10.

Rotation of the first member 22 with respect to the second member 24 is substantially limited or entirely prevented by a mating guide structure on the two members 22, 24. A keying groove 40 preferably extends along the length of the outer surface of the first shaft member 22, and a mating keying ridge 42 extends along the length of the inner surface of the second shaft member 24. When the first shaft member 22 is inserted in the second shaft member 24, the ridge 42 is slidably received in the groove 40. Together, the ridge 42 and groove 40 help to rotationally couple the movement of the first and second shaft members 22, 24 so that axial rotation of the first shaft member 22 results in substantially the same axial rotation of the second shaft member 24 so the holes 28 are aligned with the spring-biased button 30. This facilitates adjustment of the telescoping mating of the shaft members 22, 24.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the shaft 14, whether it is a single piece or multiple shaft members, is preferably tubular. The shaft or shaft members 22, 24 are preferably made of light weight material that can resist bending stress and high impact stress, such as aluminum, fiberglass, laminated fibrous material, various plasticized materials or the like. A tubular shaft that is lightweight can be comfortably held by a rider over an extended period of time.

The ground tip 20 may be made of flexible material suitable for withstanding abrasion and the forces of use with minimal maintenance.

The spark sticks 18 are preferably partially embedded into the grinding head 16 and be made of ferrocerium or other material that has sparking or spark generating characteristics when frictionally engaged with a surface. The spark-producing bodies 18 can be made of a spark-producing material that is useful for generating sparks when it frictionally engages another surface.

In certain embodiments, the head fastener 17 may be a bolt, rivet or the like, so that the user may replace the grinding head 16.

In certain embodiments, the spark pole 10 may include at least one padding member that is adjustably connected to the shaft assembly 14 so that the padding may be positioned in a safe and comfortable place along the shaft assembly 14. Padding for cushioning may also be provided on handle 12.

In certain embodiments, the spark pole 10 may be used when travelling without a skateboard, roller skates and roller blades, such as hiking, walking, running or the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

It can therefore be seen that the spark pole 10 of the present invention provides a hand-held spark pole 10 that allows a rider of skateboards, roller skates and roller blades to advance, maneuver, slow and balance their movement along a skating surface 300; provides a hand-held spark pole 10 that allows a user to safely create sparks for their recreational enjoyment; and provides a hand-held spark pole 10 that can be comfortably held by a user. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A spark pole, comprising:

a shaft having a first end and a second end;

a handle located at the first end of the shaft;

a grinding head located at the second end of the shaft;

at least one spark-producing body extending from the grinding head; and

whereby the spark pole is configurable for being held by a user to maintain balance and provide propulsion by contacting the at least one spark-producing body from the grinding head to a surface thereby creating sparks from frictional contact between the at least one spark-producing body and the surface.

2. The spark pole of claim 1, wherein the grinding head further comprises a ground tip.

3. The spark pole of claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises:

a first shaft member having an upper end and a lower end; and

a second shaft member having an upper end and a lower end;

wherein the lower end of the first shaft member engages the upper end of the second shaft member, the upper end of the first shaft member being the first end of the shaft, and the lower end of the second shaft member being the second end of the shaft.

4. The spark pole of claim 1, wherein the at least one spark-producing body is a plurality of spark sticks.

5. The spark pole of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a central axis that extends from the first end to the second end, and further wherein the at least one spark-producing body are cylindrical, each of the at least one spark-producing body having a central axis that is not parallel to the central axis of the shaft.

6. The spark pole of claim 1, wherein the at least one spark-producing body comprises ferrocerium.

7. The spark pole of claim 3, wherein one of the first and second shaft members is an outer telescoping member, and the other of the first and second shaft members is an inner telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being received in the outer telescoping member, the inner telescoping member being slidably received within the outer telescoping member.

8. The spark pole of claim 7, wherein the inner telescoping member is securable in fixed spatial relation relative to the outer telescoping member in at least one position relative to the outer telescoping member.