Methods and apparatus for supporting or securing board athletic equipment

Abstract

A skate board rack has a raised portion for supporting a side of a skate board. Preferably, the raised portion includes an opening or slot large enough to accept an edge of a skate board platform but small enough that the width of the skate board platform does not fit in the opening. The rack can support one or more skate boards, and can be used to raise the skate boards from or above a walkway to reduce the possibility of people stepping on the skate board or its wheels. Board locks or truck locks may be used to secure skate boards, and can be used to secure skate boards that are supported by a skate board rack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present inventions relate to board athletic equipment and methods and apparatus for securing or holding such equipment, and has particular application to skate boards and similar athletic equipment.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Many people including young teenagers, children and others use athletic board equipment very heavily, especially skate boards. Students ride skate boards for recreation, sport and competition and for simple transportation. However, because of the size and shape of a skate board, and of other athletic board equipment, it is difficult to find convenient and reliable ways to secure the equipment. For example, students riding skate boards to school may store them in closets or cupboards, which are accessible to every other student. However, because there are no locks or holders, the skate boards typically are not secure from theft or damage in such closets and cupboards. Additionally, in a school environment, it is difficult to have school personnel responsible for student property such as skate boards without significantly interrupting the daily activities of the school personnel and still allowing convenient access to the student property.

[0005] Outside of a school environment, there are also no reliable ways to secure athletic board equipment such as skate boards. Around stores, parks, beach areas and other public places, there are no skate board holders or other devices to secure the skate boards. Additionally, there are no devices which will conveniently and reliably keep the skate board out of pedestrian pathways, to minimize the possibility of people stepping on an upright skate board or the wheels of the skate board. Conversely, skate boards cannot be conveniently taken into such public places as stores, restaurants and malls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

[0006] One or more aspects of these inventions help to provide ways to secure skate boards and other board athletic equipment. One aspect of these inventions may also help to allow storage of skate boards and other board equipment set apart from pedestrian walkways. Another aspect of these inventions may help to make skate boards secure even without using a rack or other support structure.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of one of the present inventions, a skate board rack is provided that has a raised portion for supporting a side of a skate board in a slot, opening or other receiving portion having a width large enough to accept an edge of a skate board platform but small enough that the width of the skate board platform does not fit in the slot or opening. The rack can be used to support one or more skate boards, or can be used to support skate boards raised from or above a walkway such as a pedestrian walkway. In one configuration, the rack can be used to secure the skate board, such as through a lock between the skate board and the rack or other adjacent fixed device such as a pole.

[0008] In another aspect of one of the present inventions, a skate board rack is provided having a curved portion extending between first and second end portions with a raised portion in between. The curved portion has a width between a top of the raised portion and the first and second end portions. In one preferred embodiment, the top of the raised portion is narrower than the spacing between the first and second end portions. The curved portion has at least one opening for accepting a side of a skate board platform, and the width at the top of the raised portion is preferably significantly less than the distance between the trucks and wheels of a skate board. In a further preferred form of one aspect of the present inventions, the width of the curved portion near the first and second end portions is less than the distance between the trucks and wheels of a skate board. In another preferred form of one aspect of the present inventions, at least half of the width of a skate board platform fits into the at least one opening.

[0009] In a further aspect of one of the present inventions, a skate board rack includes a base for being supported on a surface and a raised portion for supporting a side of a skate board and further including a slot or other opening extending in the raised portion and preferably at an angle relative to the surface. Where the rack is supported on a horizontal surface, the skate board would rest in the opening at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface, and other than vertical. This allows, if desired, to support the skate board on surfaces other than the very edge of the skate board platform. This may also allow the rack to be mounted to or supported by a vertical or other than horizontal surface while still supporting a skate board.

[0010] In another aspect of one of the present inventions, a lock assembly is provided having an engagement portion sufficiently long and wide to extend width-wise about a skate board platform, while having a width less than the height of the top of the skate board platform off of the ground, so that the engagement portion cannot be slipped around the trucks and wheels of the skate board. In one preferred embodiment, the lock assembly includes a chain, cable or other securing line fixed to the assembly which can also be secured or fixed to a fixture such as a post, rack or other reliable fixture. In a further preferred embodiment, the lock assembly may include a cable fixed to the lock and having a loop on the opposite end through which the lock can pass.

[0011] A further form of one of the present inventions, a lock assembly is provided having an engagement portion sufficiently long and wide to extend about a skate board truck between the wheels and the platform while having a width less than the length of the axle and also less than the diameter of the wheels, so that the engagement portion cannot be slipped around the trucks and wheels of the skate board. In one preferred embodiment, the lock assembly includes a chain, cable or other securing line fixed to the assembly which can also be secured or fixed to a fixture such as a post, rack or other reliable fixture. In a further embodiment, the lock assembly may include a cable fixed to the lock and having a loop on the opposite end through which the lock can pass.

[0012] These and other aspects of the present inventions will be considered in more detail in conjunction with the drawings, a brief description of which follows, and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a skate board rack in accordance with one aspect of the present inventions.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an end view of a skate board rack such as that shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a skate board rack mounted on a vertical wall in accordance with a further aspect of one of the present inventions.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the skate board rack shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lock assembly for use in securing a skate board through engagement of a skate board platform.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a lock assembly for use in securing a skate board through engagement of the skate board truck.

[0019] FIG. 7 is an end view of a skate board for purposes of showing several relative dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth the preferred embodiments of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein are the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the inventions in a commercial environment, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions.

[0021] In accordance with one or more aspects of the present inventions, more secure and reliable methods and apparatus are provided for supporting skate boards and similar athletic board equipment. In one aspect of the present inventions, skate boards can be made more secure, reducing the possibility of theft, damage or other loss. In another aspect of the present inventions, skate boards can be supported in a way that reduces the possibility for injury to people walking in the area. These another aspects of the present inventions will be considered in more detail in the following description of preferred examples of the present inventions.

[0022] It should be understood that one or more aspects of the present inventions may be incorporated into a usable device while omitting other aspects of the present inventions and still achieve one or more of the benefits provided by the present inventions. Many of the aspects of the present inventions can but need not be combined into one assembly. For example, a skate board can be supported in a first configuration using one aspect of the present inventions, such as being supported in slanted openings in a rack, and can be supported in another configuration using another of the present inventions, such as in a rack having a relatively narrow raised portion even if the opening in the rack is not slanted. Therefore, aspects of the present inventions can be omitted from a device or configuration while still benefiting from another feature or features of other aspects of the present inventions.

[0023] In one form of one aspect of the present inventions, a skate board rack 20 (FIGS. 1-4) is provided having a base 22 for mounting to or being supported by an appropriate support surface, such as 24. The surface 24 may be a flat or planar surface such as a concrete patio or sidewalk 26 (FIGS. 1-2), or alternatively may be formed from any other appropriate material, such as wood, metal, plastic or other materials. The surface 24 may also be uneven, discontinuous or otherwise than planar, as desired to accommodate the surroundings. The rack 20 can be configured to accommodate a number of support surfaces, as necessary.

[0024] The rack 20 can also be mounted to surfaces other than horizontal (FIGS. 3-4), for example as a vertical wall 28. The wall can be an inside or external building wall, park wall, playground wall or any other wall having sufficient strength to support the rack and the number of skate boards the rack can hold. The support surface can also take a number of other configurations suitable for supporting a rack such as those described herein, and may include support posts, bars, beams and other surfaces.

[0025] The base 22 is preferably formed integral with the rest of the rack 20 and preferably extends the length 30 (FIG. 4) of the rack. The base in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 includes a first foot 32 on a first base portion 34 and a second foot 36 on a second base portion 38 extending longitudinally the length of the rack 20. Each foot 32 and 36 is mounted to the support surfaces 24 through appropriate fasteners, such as concrete bolts 40 (FIGS. 1-2) or screws 42 (FIGS. 3-4). Other means of mounting the base to the support surface can be used, and those other means may be determined by the type of support surface, the structure and shape of the support surface, the weight of the rack and boards, and similar considerations. Additionally, the base 22 can take a number of configurations. For example, the first foot and the second foot can be closer together to accommodate a smaller support surface, or they may be merged into a single base at which the first base portion 34 and the second base portion 38 come together and are connected to the single base. Alternatively, the first base portion 34 and the second base portion 38 can be partly merged before joining a single base or a single foot portion, and the respective remaining parts of the first base portion 34 and the second base portion 38 extending in the opposite direction would then join diverging portions of the rest of the rack. The various aspects of the present inventions can be used with a number of base configurations, and the particular base configuration may be based more on the configuration of the support surface than it is on the configuration of the raised, board-supporting portion of the rack. The base can also be formed as one or more individual pedestals or feet distributed to properly support the rack on the particular surface to which the rack is mounted.

[0026] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the first base portion 34 includes a first flange 44 preferably extending away from the support surface at a right angle to the first foot 32. The second base portion 38 includes a second flange 46 also preferably extending away from the support surface at a right angle to the second foot 36. The flanges raise the rest of the rack off the support surface, and may also cover or otherwise protect the fasteners 40 and 42. The distance by which the flanges raise the rest of the rack off the support surface may depend on the underlying support surface, the shape and the configuration of the rack, and the like. In some applications, raising the rack off the support surface a greater distance may be preferable to having it otherwise, in order to more reliably remove or separate a skate board from the surrounding area. For example, when the rack is to be mounted to a sidewalk, walkway or other similar common area, it may be desirable to have the skate boards supported a significant distance off the ground. With the skate boards a significant distance off the ground, it will be less likely for pedestrians to accidentally step on the wheels or other parts of the skate boards while they are resting in the rack. Additionally, having the skate boards raised a sufficient distance off the supporting surface would allow people to entirely avoid hitting the skate boards with their feet and ankles, even though doing so might put the skate boards at the level of people's legs. However, it may be considered preferable to raise the skate boards significantly away from the supporting surface to reduce the possibility of people stepping on the wheels or on a rolling board. A suitable height to keep the wheels off the ground may be two or three inches or more.

[0027] The rack 20 also includes a raised portion 48 for supporting a skate board. The raised portion can take a number of configurations, some of which will be described, and those configurations may depend on several factors, such as the size and configuration of the support surface, the surrounding environment such as walkways, building or other walls, the number of boards, and the like. The raised portion 48 is joined to or otherwise supported by a first end portion 52 joining the first flange 44 and a second end portion 54 joined to the second flange 46 to support the raised portion on the base. The end portions serve to join the raised portion to the base and in part to properly position the raised portion relative to the surface 24. Proper positioning may depend on such factors as leveling requirements for horizontal supporting surfaces, plumb requirements for vertical surface mounts, uneven surface characteristics, and the like. Proper positioning may also depend on any desired height criteria to raise the boards off of the supporting surface, as well as other criteria.

[0028] The end portions 52 and 54 may have any desired length between the flanges and the raised portion, and preferably extend longitudinally the entire length of the rack. They are preferably spaced apart from each other a first distance defined by the distance between the two flanges 44 and 46. The end portions are labeled in the drawings as having a variable width between the respective flanges 44 and 46 and the rest of the raised portion primarily because the end portions serve a mainly transitional purpose between the rest of the raised portion and the base. The end portions could be as small as the corner between the raised portion and the respective flange 44, 46, or wider. Preferably, the end portions do not include the slots or other openings, described more fully below, for supporting the skate board.

[0029] The end portions 52 and 54 may also have lengths that are different from each other, or that vary from one end of the rack to the other. For example, the skate boards can be supported at an angle relative to the support surface by having the length of one end portion different than the length of the other end portion. By making the length of one end portion different than the length of the other end portion, one end of a skate board would be supported closer to the ground than the other end of the skate board. Alternatively, the same effect can be achieved by making one of the flanges 44 and 46 longer than the other. The same effect can also be achieved by a combination of differences in the lengths of the flanges and of the end portions.

[0030] The skate boards can also be supported at an angle relative to the support surface by having each of the end portions 52 and 54 shorter at one end of the rack than at the other. In this way, a rack having exactly vertical slots in the raised portion 48 can be configured so that the slots extend at an angle relative to the support surface, thereby allowing a skate board platform to rest against not only the bottom of the slot but also a side of the slot. The same result can be achieved by having the flanges 44 and 46 vary in their respective lengths from one end of the rack to the other.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, the raised portion includes at least one wall, such as 56, for defining an opening 58. The opening may take the form of a slot, cut, divide, slice or other discontinuity in the overall envelope or shape of the raised portion 48. The opening receives an edge of a platform 60 of a skate board 62 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 1-4) in order to support the platform. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sides of the opening also support the platform along portions of the top and the bottom surfaces of the platform, preferably between the trucks 64 and the wheels 66 at one end from those at the other end of the platform. The openings preferably have rounded ends and a minimum of sharp edges or corners to reduce the possibility of any damage to the platform or other parts of the skate board.

[0032] Also in the preferred embodiment, the openings are formed in the raised portion at an acute angle in some cases relative to the surface supporting the rack. The openings are preferably other than perpendicular 68 (FIG. 4) to the support surface so that the rack can support the skate board on surfaces of the platform other than an edge of the platform. Angled openings also help to support skate boards where the rack is mounted on a support surface other than a horizontal support surface (see FIGS. 3-4). A vertically mounted rack more evenly distributes the weight of the skate board over the top or bottom surface of the platform and less on the edge of the platform.

[0033] The openings can be slanted in a number of directions. For example, each opening can extend width-wise across the raised portion and be slanted at an angle relative to the vertical 68 as shown in FIG. 4. The term “vertical” is used here as meaning vertical relative a horizontal base, assuming the base is horizontal and uniform. Where the base is not uniformly flat, line 68 would be taken as vertical relative to the distributed average location of the base portions. This configuration is particularly appropriate for a wall-mounted rack. In another example, the openings can be slanted both relative to the vertical 68 and somewhat diagonally from one side of the rack to the other, for example to allow the rack to be mounted vertically but an angle so that it is easier to reach the top opening. Additionally, one side of each opening can be slanted at a different angle than the other side of the same opening, to produce a wider mouth to the opening, which may make it easier to initially insert a skate board platform into the opening. As a further alternative, one bottom end of the slot may be higher, or farther away, from the base than the other bottom end. In this configuration, one end of the skate board could be higher off the ground than the other, which may more easily remove the near end of the skate board from foot traffic. Other configuration for the openings can also be used.

[0034] The raised portion can take any number of shapes, sizes and configurations, which typically could be determined by the sizes and shapes of the skate boards or other athletic board equipment to be supported by the rack. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the raised portion 48 follows a relatively smooth curve, having a shape in cross section similar to a Bell curve or a round-topped hill having a height 70 and a width 72 at about half the height 70. The height may vary from one configuration to another, and from one end of the rack to the other, and the width may also vary from one configuration to another, as well as from one end to the other. Additionally, the width in some configurations may be constant from the bottom of the raised portion to the top, which may be only slightly rounded or entirely flat at the top. In one preferred embodiment, the width 72 at approximately half the height of the raised portion is less than the inside spacing between the trucks and wheels of a skate board, and preferably less than the inside spacing “A” (FIG. 2) for the smallest skate board commercially available. For example, the length “B” of the platform of the smallest commercially available skate board at the present time is believed to be about 18 in. (inches), and the typical spacing “A” between the insides of the trucks is about 10 inches. Therefore, one preferred width 72 at half the height 70 for the raised portion is about 10 in. However, the preferred width could be as small as an inch or less, even though a smaller width would be more likely to allow the ends of the skate board to move horizontally in the rack. The preferred width could also be larger. For example, the width could be as large as 12 to 18 inches and still support smaller boards, or even larger if the desire to hold a smaller board is not as significant, and even as large as 20 to 30 inches or more, depending on the board sizes of interest. However, the larger the width 72 at half the maximum height 70 of the raised portion, the fewer the number of skate boards there will be that can fit reliably in the openings 58 with the trucks on opposite sides of the center of the raised portion 48.

[0035] The raised portion of the rack, and likewise the rack itself, may be configured to accommodate all sizes of skate boards, or to accommodate only medium and large-sized skate boards or only large-sized skate boards. The sizes of boards that can be accommodated by the rack will be determined primarily by the width of the raised portion, and partly by the height of the raised portion for supporting a skate board platform. However, in the preferred embodiment, the height of the raised portion would be the primary factor determining the configuration of the raised portion, and is preferably sized along with the depth of the grooves to reliably hold or support typical skate boards. For example, the height of the raised portion is at least several inches high, and preferably at least four inches high, and possibly higher. In the preferred embodiment, the vertical height of the groove from the lowest point of the groove to the top of the groove is at least about four inches, thereby allowing most skate boards resting on a bottom of the groove to be supported by the walls of the groove at least to the extent of about four inches of the width of the skate board platform. A deeper groove would more reliably support the skate board platform since more of the platform width would fit into the groove, and a skate board would be less likely to be jarred or knocked out of the groove. A more shallow groove would support less of the width of the skate board platform. The width of the raised portion may be as small as desired but is preferably less than the typical spacing between the trucks of most or all skate boards. With a greater width, the skate board platform can be more reliably supported in the groove, but as the width approaches the minimum spacing between trucks of a skate board, the less likely the rack will be able to support such skate boards to the same extent. Additionally, with a wider width of the raised portion, some boards will be supported on the raised portion where the wheels or trucks rest on the sides of the raised portions. In those cases, the edge of the skate board platform would not necessarily contact and be supported by the bottom of the groove. Moreover, with a wider width of the raised portion and shorter skate boards, a skate board platform may not fit very far into the groove, and may not be reliably supported in the groove. The width of the raised portion at half of the height may be a few inches but is preferably around 10 inches and may be more. Racks can be configured so that the raised portion can accommodate all sized skate boards, medium and large-sized skate boards or large-sized skate boards.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, an imaginary line 74 can be considered to extend between the first and second end portions wherein the line 74 defines the spacing between the first and second end portions 52 and 54 at the point where they join the flanges 44 and 46, respectively, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The openings 58 include first and second sides 76 and 78, respectively, (FIG. 4) that are spaced apart relative to each other and define a space between them wherein the space is sized sufficiently large to accept edge-wise a platform of a skate board, but is sized sufficiently small that the skate board platform does not fit in the space width-wise of the platform.

[0037] The spacing between the sides 76 and 78 may be constant or may be larger at the top of the raised portion than at the bottom of the groove or opening. Preferably, the spacing between the sides 76 and 78 is at least one inch and less than at least the thickness “C” (FIG. 7) of the skate board platform that is the smallest platform to be accommodated by the rack. The spacing is preferably less than between 3-5 inches. Additionally, the spacing between the center of one opening and the center of an adjacent opening is preferably at least equal to or greater than the spacing “D” from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the skate board platform where the wheels are attached for the skate boards to be accommodated by the rack. For small skate boards, that spacing is equal to or greater than at least about 2½ to 3½ in., and for medium skate boards, at least about 4 in., and for large skate boards at least about four inches, but typically this spacing would be on the order of about 7 inches or more. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing is at least about three to four inches and preferably about 4 inches. The raised portion also preferably has a first side 80 and a second side 82 spaced apart from each other. The first side 80 extends away from the surface and toward the second side 82 toward a top or peak 84, and the second side 82 extends away from the surface and joins the first side at the top 84.

[0038] The raised portion can take a number of shapes, and in cross-section may look like part of a round-topped wave as shown in the Figures, the illustrated form of which achieves many of the desired functions as well as being aesthetically pleasing, a square wave, a solid, slotted wall, a rounded hill, or a number of other configurations. Additionally, the raised portion can be formed or made from a number of structures, for example, grooved sheet metal, web material, spaced apart rods or pipes, plastics and reinforced plastics, and the like.

[0039] The openings 58 preferably have bottom portions 86 which support an edge of the skate board platform. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom portions 86 support the skate board so that the bottom edge of the platform resting in the opening is a distance 88 above the surface 24. The greater the distance 88, the higher the skate board is supported off the support surface, and the more likely the skate board will be retained out of pedestrian traffic and out from under people's feet.

[0040] Anchor or locking bars or rings 90 may be provided for locking the skate boards to the rack. The locking bars 90 may be mounted to the bases 32 and 36 and may extend outwardly and upwardly away from the rack to allow access for locking a skate board, for example using the locks described herein. The locking bars 90 may also provide a guard or block for reducing the possibility that a skate board may fall away from the rack. The locking bars may also help to keep foot traffic away from the wheels of the skate boards. The locking bars 90 can be omitted where other attachment or locking structures are available. For example, where the raised portion is formed from bars or pipes, locks or cables can be secured to those bars or pipes for locking the skate boards.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of one of the present inventions, a board lock 100 (FIG. 5) can be used to lock a skate board platform to a fixed object such as a rack, pole, bracket or other secure device. The board lock preferably includes an engagement portion in the form of a U-lock 102 having a lock cylinder housing 104 containing a suitable lock cylinder, as would be known to those skilled in the art, and a U-shackle 106. The U-shackle 106 is sized or dimensioned so as to permit the U-shackle to fit widthwise about a skate board platform, and having an inside width 108 sufficiently large to easily fit over the thickness “C” of a skate board platform, while sufficiently small to prevent the U-shackle from passing off the skate board over the wheels. Additionally, the U-shackle is preferably strong enough to prevent it from manually being spread sufficiently to fit over the wheels. In the preferred embodiment, the inside length 110 is large enough to fit over the widest skate board platform of a large skate board at a point between the two trucks. Alternatively, several different sizes of board lock can be made, to accommodate two or more different size ranges of platform widths. For example, one size of board lock may fit small and medium boards and another size may fit large boards. Alternatively, one size may fit small boards, another medium boards and a third large boards. In one example, the width 108 may be about one quarter inch to about 3 in. and preferably one to two in. The length 110 may be about 5-12 in. and preferably about 7-10 in. with about 8 in. being preferred.

[0042] The board lock 100 also preferably includes a tether 112 preferably in the form of a cable 114 attached at one end 116 to the cylinder housing 104 and having a free end 118 for use in attachment to a fixed object. The free end 118 preferably includes a secure loop 120 for allowing the U-lock 102 to pass through the loop 120 to form a secure loop about a fixed object before the U-lock 102 is secured to the board. The length of the loop 120 is preferably at least sufficiently large to allow the U-lock to easily pass through the loop but smaller than the width of a skate board platform which can be locked with the U-lock, so the skate board cannot be passed through the loop to remove the skate board and lock from the fixed object. The length of the loop 120 may be about 2 in. to 6 inches or more, mostly dependent on the lock dimensions to which it is attached or with which it is used. The lock preferably fits through the loop relatively easily. If the tether is not fixed to the lock, the tether preferably has a loop at each end, each having an inside dimensioned sufficiently large to receive and allow the loop of the other end to pass through, though small enough to prevent passing a skate board through.

[0043] In accordance with a further aspect of one of the present inventions, a truck lock 122 (FIG. 6) can be used to lock a skate board truck to a fixed object such as a rack, bracket, pole or other secure fixture. The truck lock preferably includes a U-lock 124 having a lock cylinder housing 126 containing a suitable lock cylinder and a U-shackle 128. The U-shackle 128 is sized so as to permit the U-shackle to fit width wise about a skate board truck, between the wheels and the platform. The U-shackle 128 has an inside width 130 sufficiently large to easily fit around most skate board trucks so that the cylinder housing 126 preferably lies parallel to the axle. The U-shackle 128 has an inside length 132 also sufficiently large to easily fit around most skate board trucks with the cylinder housing 126 lying parallel to the axle. The lock can also be configured so that the cylinder housing 126 lies under the axle and perpendicular to it, but the spacing between the axle and the platform in conjunction with the dimensions of the cylinder housing 126 may make positioning the lock cylinder housing parallel to the axle easier.

[0044] The width 130 is preferably less than approximately ½ the axle length “E”. The width 130 preferably is selected so as to effectively prevent a lock from being shifted to one side of the truck and passed over the wheel on that side. It should be noted, however, that the width 130 can be greater than half the axle length and still effectively prevent the lock from being removed over the wheels because of the existence of the width “F” of the narrowest portion of the truck. Some exemplary dimensions for the lock include the width 130 from about a half-inch to between about 25 percent and 75 percent of the axle length. For example, for a seven in. axle length, the width 130 is preferably no greater than about half the axle length or about three and ½ inches to four inches. Where the axle is longer, the width can be greater. The length 132 may be between about two and four inches but in any case sufficient to fit around the narrowest part “F” of a truck between the axle and the platform of the skate board. In one preferred embodiment, the maximum width is preferably greater than the maximum length, and the ratio of the maximum width to the maximum length is about 3:2. One preferred truck lock has a maximum width of about 4 in. and a maximum length of about 2 in., a ratio of 2:1 and where the length is the first limiting dimension that keeps the lock from being removed, and another preferred truck lock has a maximum width of about 3 in. and a maximum length of about 4 in., a ratio of 3:4 and where the width is the first limiting dimension that keeps the lock from being removed. These exemplary dimensions are provided in the context of the lock cylinder housing being placed parallel to the axle. If the lock cylinder housing were placed perpendicular to the axle, these exemplary dimensions would be switched from length to width and vice versa.

[0045] These exemplary dimensions are intended to refer to the largest inside dimensions for the board lock or for the truck lock, as the case may be. It is to be understood, however, that the inside dimensions of the locks may vary for a given lock, for example as a function of the size of the lock cylinder, and the like. For example, the spacings near the ends of the lock, such as near the lock and cylinder housing and its opposite end, may be less than the maximum dimensions.

[0046] The truck lock 122 also preferably includes a tether 134 preferably in the form of a cable 136 attached at one end 138 to the cylinder housing 126 and having a free end 140 for use in attachment to the fixed object. The free end 140 preferably includes a secure loop 142 for allowing the U-lock 124 to pass through the loop 142 to form a secure loop about a fixed object before the U-lock 124 is secured to the board. The length of the loop 142 is preferably at least sufficiently large to allow the U-lock to easily pass through the loop but smaller than the width of the skate board platform which can be locked with the U-lock, so the skate board cannot be passed through the loop to remove the skate board and lock from the fixed object. The length of the loop 142 is determined using the same considerations as were used with respect to the length of the loop 120 for the board lock 100. Where the tether is fixed to the truck lock 122, the length of the loop can be about 2 in. to about eight inches or more, preferably sufficient to easily pass the lock through the loop while still smaller than the smallest circumference of a perimeter line fitting around the wheels and the board at the same time, so that the board cannot be passed through the loop.

[0047] In one preferred method of securing a skate board to a fixed object, for example a pole, the tether is passed around the pole. A first end of the tether is passed through a loop on the second end. The first end may be the end fixed to the lock where the tether and lock are fixed, or the end that will engage the lock where the tether and lock are not fixed. The first end is then secured to the skate board. In the example where the lock is fixed to the tether, the lock is secured to the skate board, thereby securing the skate board to the pole. In the example where the lock is not fixed to the tether, the shackle of the lock is passed through the loop on the first end and secured to the skate board. In the example where the lock is fixed to the tether, the shackle of the lock preferably is secured to the skate board without otherwise engaging the lock and the tether. In the case of the board lock 100, the shackle of the lock is passed around the platform of the skate board and secured. In the case of the truck lock 122, the shackle of the lock is passed around a truck between the wheels and the platform and secured.

[0048] Having thus described several exemplary implementations of the invention, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the inventions or the concepts discussed herein. Such operations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.

Claims

1. A rack for supporting skateboards and similar items, the rack comprising:

a base portion; and

a riser portion supported by and secured relative to the base portion at at least a first end, and having a first side and a second side each extending away from the first end to a second end portion, wherein the first end and the second end portion together define a line between them, wherein the first side and the second side are spaced apart relative to each other and define a space between them, wherein the space is sized sufficiently large to accept edgewise a platform of a skateboard but sized sufficiently small that a skateboard platform does not fit in the space width-wise of the platform, wherein the first and second sides extend away from the first end and away from the line to a peak and then back toward the line and toward the second end portion, and wherein the first and second sides have a depth half way up the peak that is less than the spacing between front and back wheels of a skateboard.

2. The rack of claim 1 wherein the space between the first and second sides defines an opening for accepting a platform of a skate board and wherein the opening has a width that is less than seven inches.

3. The rack of claim 1 wherein the riser portion is formed from sheet metal.

4. The rack of claim 3 wherein the base portion includes a first base element and a second base element, wherein the first end of the riser portion is supported by the first base element and wherein the second end portion of the riser portion is supported by the second base element and the first base element and the second base element are spaced apart a first width, wherein the riser portion has a maximum height at the peak and a first riser portion width at approximately half the maximum height of the riser portion and wherein the first riser portion width is less than the first width between the first and second base elements.

5. The rack of claim 4 wherein the riser portion peak is rounded.

6. The rack of claim 4 wherein the riser portion peak has a flat top and wherein the riser portion has a constant width over at least part of the height of the riser portion.

7. The rack of claim 1 wherein the first and second sides extend substantially parallel to each other to form a slot for accepting a skate board platform wherein the slot is formed and an angle to a line that is vertical relative to the base portion.

8. The rack of claim 1 wherein the first side and the second side form a slot having a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface for supporting an edge of a skate board platform, and wherein the first bottom surface is closer to the peak than is the second bottom surface.

9. A rack for supporting skateboards, the rack comprising:

a base portion;

a skateboard holding portion fixed to the base portion and having means defining a slot for accepting an edge of a skateboard platform and having a forward surface and a rearward surface spaced apart from the forward surface and wherein the spacing between the rearward surface and the forward surface is small enough that the platform of a skateboard between trucks of the skateboard fits into the slot at least one quarter of the width of the skateboard platform.

10. The rack of claim 9 wherein the skate board holding portion extends at least partly vertically if the base portion were positioned to extend horizontally and wherein the slot is slanted away from vertical.

11. The rack of claim 9 wherein the skate board holding portion is formed from sheet metal.

12. The rack of claim 9 wherein a skate board holding portion is formed from bars.

13. The rack of claim 12 wherein the bars are formed from metal.

14. The rack of claim 9 wherein the slot has a depth and wherein the slot depth is sufficiently great to allow a skate board to fit into the slot up to at least half of the width of the skate board platform.

15. The rack of claim 9 wherein a slot has a slot bottom and wherein the slot bottom is spaced from the base portion.

16. The rack of claim 15 wherein a slot bottom is spaced at least two inches from the base portion.

17. The rack of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of slots spaced apart from each other and wherein each slot has a center and wherein the spacing from the center of a first slot to the center of an adjacent slot is at least three inches.

18. A skateboard rack comprising:

A base portion having a bottom surface; and

A rack portion having a first end portion fixed to the base portion and a second end portion spaced a first distance from the first end portion and a raised portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and raised relative to the base portion and wherein the raised portion has a width that is less than a spacing between wheels of a skate board.

19. The rack of claim 18 wherein the width is less than 20 inches.

20. The rack of claim 18 further comprising a wall defining an opening for accepting an edge of a skate board platform and wherein the wall defining the opening is formed only in the raised portion.

21. The rack of claim 20 wherein the wall defining the opening has a first opening wall portion and a second opening wall portion, wherein the raised portion has an upper most point, and wherein the first opening wall portion is closer to the upper most point than the second opening wall portion.

22. The rack of claim 20 wherein the raised portion has a top which extends longitudinally and wherein the opening extends from the top toward the base portion and at an acute angle relative to the top.

23. A skateboard rack comprising:

a base;

a skateboard supporting portion supported by the base and having at least two raised portions raised from the base for supporting a side of a skateboard, the at least two raised portions each including respective walls defining an opening for receiving an edge of a skateboard platform, the raised portion further including a maximum width positioned relative to the base no closer to the base than the width of a standard skateboard wheel and wherein the maximum width is no greater than the spacing between trucks on a skateboard.

24. The rack of claim 23 wherein the maximum width is no greater than about ten inches.

25. The rack of claim 23 wherein the wall defining the slot has a slot width and the slot width is large enough to accept edgewise a skateboard platform and small enough to prevent a skateboard platform from extending width-wise across the opening.

26. The rack of claim 25 wherein the slot width is less than seven inches and greater than a half inch

27. A skateboard rack comprising:

a base;

a skateboard supporting portion supported by the base and having at least two raised portions raised from the base for supporting a side of a skateboard, the at least two raised portions each including respective walls for supporting a side of a skateboard platform, the raised portion further including a maximum vertical height no greater than two times the width of a skateboard platform and a maximum width no greater than the spacing between trucks on a skateboard.

28. The rack of claim 27 wherein the maximum vertical height is no greater than about 20 inches.

29. The rack of claim 27 wherein the maximum vertical height is no greater than about 16 inches.

30. The rack of claim 27 wherein the maximum width is no greater than about 20 inches.

31. The rack of claim 27 wherein the maximum width is no greater than about 10 inches.

32. A lock for a skate board truck, wherein the truck has a base and a post supporting an axle for supporting wheels on the track and wherein the axle has a length and the wheels have a diameter, the lock comprising:

a lock housing; and

a substantially U-shaped shackle releasably fixed to lock housing wherein the shackle has a width and a length when in the locked configuration wherein the width and the length are sized to fit around a conventional skate board truck and wherein at least one of the width and the length is smaller than a length of a conventional skate board axle.

33. The lock of claim 32 wherein at least one of the width and the length is smaller than the diameter of the wheels.

34. The lock of claim 32 wherein the shackle is substantially planar.

35. The lock of claim 32 further comprising a tether fixed to the lock housing.

36. The lock of claim 35 wherein the tether includes a free end having a loop of a fixed size.

37. A board lock for a skate board platform of a skate board, wherein the skate board includes a pair of trucks and a pair of wheels supported by each track and wherein a platform has a width and wherein there is a first distance between the bottom of the wheels and the top of the skate board platform opposite the wheels, the board lock comprising:

a lock housing; and

a U-shaped shackle releasably locked to the lock housing and having a width and a length in the locked configuration and wherein the length is sufficiently long to to go around the width of the skate board platform and wherein the width is less than the first distance between the bottom of the wheels and the top of the skate board platform opposite the wheels.

38. The lock of claim 37 further comprising a tether fixed to the lock housing.

39. The lock of claim 38 wherein the tether includes a free end having a loop of a fixed size.

40. A method of securing to a fixed object a skate board having a platform and trucks mounted to the platform supporting wheels, the method comprising steps of:

passing a tether around a fixed object wherein the tether includes a first end and a second end and the second end includes a loop;

passing the first end through the loop; and

securing the first end to a skate board.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of passing includes the step of passing a lock secured to the first end through the loop.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of securing includes the step of securing the first end to a platform of the skate board.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of securing includes the step of securing the first end to a truck of the skate board.