Three-wheeled skateboard system and method
A system and method for a skateboard and for propelling the skateboard. The skateboard system includes a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane. The skateboard system also includes a truck assembly attached near the first end of the board, and a caster assembly attached near the second end of the board. The caster assembly has a caster pin at an angle with respect to the board plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a system and method for a human powered vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a three-wheeled skateboard system and method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over the years, conventional skateboards have become familiar to both children and adults.
As illustrated, the conventional skateboard is constructed of an elongate board having a set of axially coupled wheels mounted beneath the board at each end of the board. In the past, this conventional design has been altered only slightly. For example, each two wheel set always included two wheels, but the sets may have been sized differently. In addition, the axle for each set may have been extended, and the elongate board may have been shaped differently to give an alternative look. Further, many aesthetic variations of the design have been implemented over time. These variations in aesthetic design have created a popular market that provides lucrative rewards to manufacturers and aesthetic designers of conventional skateboards. However, recently the conventional design of the skateboard has been modified significantly.
The conventional design of the skateboard has been modified such that each set of axially mounted wheels has been removed.
In contemporary skateboard designs, the conventional two wheel set at each end of the elongate board has been replaced with a single caster on each of two footboards. This single caster design has greatly enhanced a rider's enjoyment on a skateboard. This latest innovation in fundamental skateboard design has been well received throughout the world. As a result of the acceptance of the contemporary skateboard design, various manufacturers have begun competing for customers. At this point, businesses compete for consumers of the contemporary skateboard, again, mostly through altering aesthetics of the contemporary two caster skateboard design.
Aside from aesthetics, consumers appear to be drawn to the contemporary skateboard, at least in part, for the unusual riding techniques that are required to operate the contemporary skateboard. Unfortunately, as users seem to ignore, these unusual riding techniques that are required to operate the contemporary style of skateboard can be detrimental to skills that are learned in analogous winter or even water sports. For example, a sport such as snow boarding appears to be similar, but does not work the same muscle sets of a rider of the contemporary skateboard. Of note, when snow is unavailable, riders sometimes ill advisedly use the contemporary skateboard as a substitute for teaching/learning snow boarding skills. Riders seem to be unaware of the detrimental effects of the contemporary skateboards and, even if aware, seem to simply ignore the problem.
Further, riders/consumers may be confused by the similar look of the contemporary skateboard to a snow board. Still further, consumers may believe that they may improve their snow boarding skills by non-snow surface training on the contemporary skateboard. However, the unusual riding technique required by the contemporary skateboard, when the athlete uses the contemporary skateboard for snow board training, could actually reduce an athlete's snow board performance. In addition, the athlete simply seeking the feel of a snow board through the use of the contemporary skateboard when off the snow surface may be disappointed when discovering such deficiencies after purchasing the contemporary style skateboard.
Unfortunately, riders/consumers have mostly ignored these problems because of the new and exciting challenge associated with the contemporary skateboard. In fact, consumers that may not be familiar with snow board or surf board techniques have turned the contemporary skateboard market into a lucrative business, thereby discouraging manufacturers from changing the fundamental design of the contemporary skateboard. In addition, experienced snow board/surf board consumers do not look to the contemporary skateboard to meet their cross-training needs, but look to the contemporary skateboard for entertainment value. Therefore, manufacturers have not seen a need to change the fundamental skateboard design and have focused mostly on improving/changing skateboard aesthetics to capture market share.
From the foregoing discussion, what is unapparently needed, therefore, is a system and method for a skateboard that provides a user with a feel that is similar to a snow or surf board. Ironically, because contemporary skateboards are often considered unsafe for stability reasons, thrill seeking consumers often seek the contemporary skateboard exactly for these instability reasons and do not seek a more stable skateboard.
Recent advancements/alternatives in skateboard technology do not address this cross training aspect. In fact, the recent advancements even teach away from addressing cross training aspects. For example, some skateboard advancements fail to even slightly appear like a snow or surf board. Further, recent advancements often lead to a decrease in skateboard stability.
For example, “Caster Skate Apparatus” US 2007/0284835 A1 (Choi) addresses problems such as an inconvenient turning radius. Choi's solution to the inconvenient turning radius leads directly to creating more instability and absolutely no cross training benefits. Still further, cross training is ignored in “Two-wheeled Skateboard” U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,328 (Tipton) where the need for in-line skateboard skating is addressed. Of note, the in-line wheels preferred in Tipton also clearly teach away from increasing stability in a conventional skateboard.
In addition, “Skateboard With Direction Castor” U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,259 (Gang) addresses the steering aspect of skateboards by disclosing techniques to improve steering of a conventional skateboard. Among other things, Gang alters the wheel arrangement of conventional skateboards by including two or even three direction casters in place of the conventional two wheel set arrangements. Of note, even with the three wheel arrangement of Gang, the wheels are constructed such that less stability is offered with the three wheel arrangement.
Among all the different types of advancements in conventional skateboard technology, aside from the failure to address cross training appeal in a skateboard, stability appears to be an advancement that has actually been avoided. Apparently, stability has been intentionally avoided due to consumer choice.
In view of the prior art, the effort to improve the conventional skateboard appears to have skateboard manufacturers focused on creating a more challenging and/or aesthetically pleasing skateboard. Apparently, the practical nature of stability and/or cross training has been completely and intentionally ignored in the prior art.
SUMMARYIt has been discovered that the aforementioned shortcomings are resolved using a system for a skateboard and method for propelling the skateboard.
In one embodiment, the skateboard system includes a board including a first end and a second end. The first end is offset from the second end, and the second end defines a board plane. The skateboard system includes a truck assembly attached near the first end. The truck assembly includes a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board. The shaft connects to an axle that supports a first wheel and a second wheel. Each of the first wheel and second wheel are freely rotatable about the axle.
In addition, the skateboard system includes a caster assembly attached near the second end. The caster assembly includes a caster pin that defines a predetermined angle with respect to the board plane. The predetermined caster pin angle is securely fixed with respect to the board plane. Thus, the caster pin is securely coupled relative to the board plane such that the predetermined caster pin angle is securely fixed to form an acute angle with respect to the board plane.
The caster assembly also includes a caster fork supporting a caster wheel that is freely rotatable about a caster axle. The caster fork translates radially about the caster pin regardless of a predetermined caster pin angle.
In addition, the skateboard system may include a caster assembly that is removably coupled to the board. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art when viewing the present disclosure, the removably coupled caster assembly may be removable by means such as a simple bolt and nut arrangement, a pin assembly coupling the caster assembly to the board, or other such apparatus to create a removable coupling that avoids welding or breaking the caster assembly.
Further, the skateboard may provide an adjustably coupled caster pin that is adjustable to certain fixed angular positions according to a mating selection of matching teeth within caster assembly to secure the caster pin.
Still further, the caster pin may also be adjustable via an angle pin. The angle pin can be positioned to obtain a certain fixed angular position according to an angle pin location. The angle pin location is selected within caster assembly. In either of the caster pin embodiments, in operation, the caster pin has a fixed angular position that is angular with respect to the board plane.
In another embodiment, the skateboard system may include a handlebar assembly that is coupled to the board. The handlebar assembly creates a scooter embodiment that includes a skateboard that is constructed according to principles of the present invention.
In yet another embodiment, a method of propelling a skateboard constructed according to principles of the present invention includes the following steps, not necessarily in the following order.
The method includes the step of applying a lateral force to a first side of a board. The board includes a first end and a second end. The first end is offset from the second end, and the second end defines a board plane. A truck assembly is attached near the first end, with the truck assembly including a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board. The shaft connects to a truck axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel.
Each of the first wheel and second wheel is freely rotatable about the truck axle, and a caster assembly is attached near the second end with a caster pin defining a fixed caster pin angle with respect to the board plane. The fixed caster pin angle forms a first acute angle with respect to the board plane, and the caster assembly includes a caster fork that supports a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle. The caster fork translates radially about the caster pin.
Another step of the method of propelling a skateboard constructed according to principles of the present invention includes transferring a force through the caster assembly. In addition, the method includes applying the transferred force to a surface, wherein the applied force is the product of the transferred force and the distance between the line perpendicular to the board plane and the caster axle. In yet another step, the method includes applying a lateral force to a second side of the board based on the application of the lateral force to the first side of the board.
The method may also include adjusting the fixed caster pin angle relative to the board plane. The fixed caster pin angle may be adjusted by relocating an angle pin. Thus, the securely coupled caster pin is adjustable via alternate settings of the angle pin to obtain certain fixed angular positions.
Another skateboard embodiment includes a board as in the previously described skateboard system. However, the instant skateboard embodiment also includes a caster assembly attached near the second end with a caster pin defining a predetermined caster pin angle with respect to the board plane wherein the caster pin is securely coupled relative to the board plane such that the caster pin angle is securely fixed to form an acute angle with respect to the board plane. The caster pin has a caster block and lock nut arranged to secure a caster lock plate to hold caster pin at the predetermined caster pin angle.
As in the previous skateboard system embodiment, the caster assembly of the instant embodiment includes a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, wherein the caster fork translates radially about the caster pin regardless of the predetermined caster pin angle.
The instant skateboard may also include the caster block and lock nut being configured to engage caster lock plate within caster assembly by means of mechanically threading caster lock nut onto caster lock plate in a nut and bolt arrangement such that caster lock nut may be tightened using threads of caster lock plate by rotating caster lock nut upon corresponding threads of caster lock plate.
In this embodiment, caster block provides spacing beside caster lock nut within caster assembly in a washer ring style with a teeth arrangement of caster assembly being operative to secure caster lock plate when caster lock nut is tightened. When tightened, caster lock nut and caster block secure movement of caster pin. In other words, when caster lock nut is tightened, the predetermined caster pin angle remains unchanged.
Upon viewing the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations to the above disclosed system and method could be contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the system may include a caster assembly further including at least one shim positioned to alter the predetermined caster angle. In addition, other examples of the method may include applying a shim to the caster assembly, the shim positioned to alter the securely fixed and predetermined caster angle.
The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below.
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
The following is intended to provide a detailed description of examples of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting of the invention itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims following the description.
Truck assembly (whether rear or front truck assembly) 304 includes a shaft 306 having an axle 308 for supporting a first wheel 310 and a second wheel 312, each wheel being freely rotatable about axle 308.
Caster assembly (whether front or rear caster assembly) 302 includes a caster fork 314 that supports a caster wheel 316 that is freely rotatable about a caster axle 318.
In a preferred embodiment, skateboard 300 is designed such that drive is created with somewhat of a falling forward sensation that a rider may experience upon operating skateboard 300. As illustrated, and as will be described in greater detail herein, front caster assembly 302 includes a caster with a caster pin at an angle with respect to the elongate board. The caster pin allows the front caster assembly 302 to freely pivot on skateboard 300. Further, unlike prior art skateboards, the combination of front caster assembly 302 and rear truck assembly 304 provides an unexpectedly stable skateboard with an unexpected snow board/surf board feel.
Regardless of which skateboard 300, 350 is constructed, the skateboard includes a caster assembly that is mounted at an angle. Specifically, the caster mounting bolt (aka, caster pin, see
As understood by those of ordinary skill in the art when viewing
As illustrated in the following
In addition, caster frame and fork 504 includes a base arrangement 506 for easily removing or attaching removable caster assembly 500. In the illustrated embodiment of
Upon viewing
In operation, as illustrated by the two-way arrows of
Also shown in
As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art when viewing caster assembly 700, caster block 714 may be secured with caster lock nut 716 to secure a caster pin angle when caster assembly 700 is configured to allow selection of a caster pin angle by a rider of skateboard 300. Further, the caster fork may attach to caster plate 704 via simple welding, manufacturing caster plate 704 having forks included as a single part, or other similar attachment method.
The included functional descriptive material is information that imparts functionality to a machine. This functional descriptive material includes, but is not limited to, mechanical gearing of an apparatus such as adjustable caster assembly 700.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, based upon the teachings herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of this invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.
Claims
1. A skateboard comprising:
- a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane;
- a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board plane, the shaft connecting to an axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the axle; and
- a caster assembly attached near the second end with a caster pin defining a predetermined caster pin angle with respect to the board plane wherein the caster pin is securely coupled relative to the board plane such that the predetermined caster pin angle is securely fixed to form an acute angle with respect to the board plane, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, wherein the caster fork translates radially about the caster pin regardless of the predetermined caster pin angle.
2. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein the caster assembly is removably coupled to the board.
3. The skateboard of claim 2 wherein the removably coupled caster assembly is removable by means of a pin assembly coupling the caster assembly to the board.
4. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein the caster pin is adjustable to certain fixed angular positions according to a mating selection of corresponding securing teeth within caster assembly, the certain fixed angular positions being angular with respect to the board plane.
5. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein the caster pin is adjustable via an angle pin, the angle pin being positioned to obtain a certain fixed angular position according to an angle pin location, the angle pin location being selected within caster assembly, the certain fixed angular position being angular with respect to the board plane.
6. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein a handlebar assembly is mechanically coupled to the board.
7. A method of propelling a skateboard, the method comprising:
- applying a lateral force to a first side of a board, the board further comprising a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane, a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board, the shaft connecting to a truck axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the truck axle, and a caster assembly attached near the second end of the board with a caster pin defining a fixed caster pin angle with respect to the board plane, the fixed caster pin angle forming an acute angle with respect to the board plane, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, such that the caster fork translates radially about the caster pin;
- transferring a force through the caster assembly;
- applying the transferred force to a surface, wherein the applied force is the product of the transferred force and the distance between a line perpendicular to the board plane and the caster axle; and
- applying a lateral force to a second side of the board based on the application of the lateral force to the first side of the board.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising adjusting the fixed caster pin angle relative to the board plane.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising relocating an angle pin, wherein the caster pin is adjustable via alternate settings of the angle pin to obtain certain fixed angular positions that are angular with respect to the board plane.
10. A skateboard comprising:
- a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane;
- a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a reverse kingpin substantially perpendicular with the board plane, the reverse kingpin connecting to an axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the axle; and
- a caster assembly attached near the second end with a caster kingpin defining a predetermined caster kingpin angle with respect to the board plane wherein the caster kingpin is coupled relative to the board plane such that the predetermined caster kingpin angle is securely fixed with respect to the board plane, the caster kingpin having a caster block and lock nut arranged to secure a caster lock plate to hold caster kingpin at the predetermined caster kingpin angle, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, wherein the caster fork translates radially about the caster kingpin regardless of the predetermined caster kingpin angle.
11. The skateboard of claim 10 wherein the caster block and lock nut are configured to engage caster lock plate within caster assembly by means of mechanically threading caster lock nut onto caster lock plate in a nut and bolt relationship such that caster lock nut may be tightened using threads of caster lock plate by rotating caster lock nut upon corresponding threads of caster lock plate, wherein caster block provides a washer ring style spacing beside caster lock nut within caster assembly, wherein a teeth arrangement of caster assembly is operative to secure caster lock plate when caster lock nut is tightened, thereby securing movement of caster kingpin when caster lock nut is tightened such that the predetermined caster kingpin angle remains unchanged.
12. The skateboard of claim 10 wherein the truck assembly further comprises a reverse kingpin truck to attach the truck assembly near the first end of the board with the reverse kingpin.
13. The skateboard of claim 10 wherein the caster assembly attached near the second end of the board with the caster kingpin defining the predetermined caster kingpin angle with respect to the board plane comprises defining a distance between the caster axle and the board plane.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2009
Publication Date: May 13, 2010
Inventor: Kevin L. Smith (Sandy, UT)
Application Number: 12/587,652
International Classification: B62M 1/00 (20100101);