Patents by Inventor Eric W. Kirkland

Eric W. Kirkland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Adjustable truck assembly for skateboards with retainer
    Patent number: 6523837
    Abstract: A truck assembly for a skateboard includes an axle housing, a base, and a kingpin connecting the axle housing and base. The kingpin holds the axle housing and a base surface of the base a predetermined distance apart. The truck further includes a turning mechanism between the axle housing and base, around the kingpin. The turning mechanism includes opposed cam surfaces that are angled along the axis of the kingpin and an elastomeric bushing so that rotating the axle housing about the kingpin pushes the cam surfaces apart, against the compression pressure of the elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing may be located within a coiled spring. The truck assembly additionally includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure against the bushing. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment surface on the base of the truck assembly with two or more adjustment points, each a different distance from the base surface along the direction of the kingpin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Eric W. Kirkland
  • Adjustable truck assembly for skateboards with retainer
    Publication number: 20020011713
    Abstract: A truck assembly for a skateboard includes an axle housing, a base, and a kingpin connecting the axle housing and base. The kingpin holds the axle housing and a base surface of the base a predetermined distance apart. The truck further includes a turning mechanism between the axle housing and base, around the kingpin. The turning mechanism includes opposed cam surfaces that are angled along the axis of the kingpin and an elastomeric bushing so that rotating the axle housing about the kingpin pushes the cam surfaces apart, against the compression pressure of the elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing may be located within a coiled spring. The truck assembly additionally includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure against the bushing. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment surface on the base of the truck assembly with two or more adjustment pints, each a different distance from the base surface along the direction of the kingpin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Eric W. Kirkland
  • Adjustable truck assembly for skateboards
    Patent number: 6315304
    Abstract: A truck assembly for a skateboard includes an axle housing, a base, and a kingpin connecting the axle housing and base. The kingpin holds the axle housing and a base surface of the base a predetermined distance apart. The truck further includes a turning mechanism between the axle housing and base, around the kingpin. The turning mechanism includes opposed cam surfaces that are angled along the axis of the kingpin and an elastomeric bushing so that rotating the axle housing about the kingpin pushes the cam surfaces apart, against the compression pressure of the elastomeric bushing. The truck assembly additionally includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure against the bushing. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment surface on the base of the truck assembly with two or more adjustment points, each a different distance from the base surface along the direction of the kingpin. An adjustment ring surrounds the kingpin, between the base surface and the turning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Eric W. Kirkland, Lewis J. Bangham, Brad D. Hepler, Gregory Staples, Theodore L. Renteria