MODIFIABLE SKATEBOARD
This invention is directed to a modifiable skateboard comprising: a deck; a first set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged orthogonally to the long axis of the deck; a second set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged parallel to the long axis of the deck; a first accessory having a first attachment that is removably received in one of the slots at one end of the deck; and, a second accessory having a second attachment that is removably received in the opposite end of the deck.
This invention is directed to a skateboard and more particularly to a skateboard that is easily modifiable with interchangeable accessories.
2) DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTSkateboards are well known and are believed to have been invented in the 1950s gaining widespread popularity in the 1960s. The components of a typical skateboard include the deck which supports the rider and generally is the main component which other accessories attach. Trucks, which connect to the deck, include an axle for attaching wheels. Wheels of different types are available based on the type of skateboarding that the rider engages in. Bearings allow the wheels to rotate around the axles. Grip tape which is attached to the top surface of the skateboard provides a non-slip surface and significantly increases the friction on the top of the deck. Risers can also be included which elevate the deck off the ground higher than with the trucks alone. Typically, the trucks are screwed into the deck requiring holes and prevent the trucks, and therefore, the wheel positions from being easily changed.
Traditionally, skateboards contain a forward and rear truck each having an axle and two wheels connected to each truck. Attempts have been made to alter this traditional configuration such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,984,328 and 6,428,022 which disclose a two-wheeled skateboard with the wheel aligned in a linear configuration along the center axis of the deck. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,096 discloses a skateboard with wheels arranged in a linear fashion with each truck having multiple wheels in a linear arrangement.
Further, attempts have been made to make the wheels removable so that the wheels can be interchanged. United States Patent application 2006/0131826 discloses removable wheels so that the wheels are interchangeable. United States Patent application 2007/0035100 discloses a removable wheel hub, but uses a fixed mount that is screwed into the deck. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,299 allows for two or three wheels to be attached to a mounting rail, however, the mounting rail is affixed to the deck, thereby preventing the position of the wheels to be easily modified.
Since the Ollie was invented around 1978, riders have been trying to find ways to customize skateboards and begin using these items as articles of expression. For example. U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,121 discloses hand or foot holds that can be attached to the deck using screws. U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,117 is directed to a tension strap that attaches to the deck and a belt worn by the user so that the skateboard is held to the feet of the user for performing tricks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,893 discloses runners attached where wheels would normally be, so that the skateboard is adapted to be used on an ice surface. United States Patent Application 2010/0276912 discloses a “leash” that is an aftermarket accessory that wraps around a skateboard and allows the rider to pull the leash to keep the skateboard on the feet of the rider during stunts such as jumping and Ollie's. U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,234 discloses a brake system that can be used with a skateboard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,325 discloses a forward extension unit that is held in the hand of the rider, connects to the front of a skateboard and allows the rider to enhance the control of the skateboard when riding. U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,827 discloses a bridle that the rider pulls when jumping so that the skateboard can be held securely to the rider's feet even when airborne.
Other examples of accessories for skateboards have been attempted such as United States Patent application 2003/0075890 which includes metal plates attached to the deck so that when in cooperation with magnets imbedded in the rider's shoes, they enhance the ability of the rider to keep the skateboard in contact with his or her shoes when jumping or performing other airborne maneuvers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,438 discloses a skateboard with magnets on the top of the deck and in the rider's shoes so that the rider can more easily secure the skateboard to his shoes when riding.
It is an object of this invention to provide a skateboard accessory system that provides for easy modifications to the deck of a skateboard for interchangeable trucks and wheels in many configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe objectives of this invention are accomplished by providing a system for providing a modifiable skateboard comprising: a deck; a plurality of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments; a plurality of detent indentions defined in the mounting slots operatively associated with attachments, thereby securing accessories to the underside of the deck; an accessory having an attachment member that can be received in the mounting slot accessories to be attached to and arranged in multiple configurations to the deck. The invention can also include accessories selected from the group of trucks with wheels, single wheels, ice blade, pivots and the like. The invention can include an opening defined in the deck for receiving a wheel; and, a wheel carried by the mounting rails so that a portion of the wheel protrudes above the deck and a portion of the wheel protrudes below the deck.
The invention can also include a recess refined in the top of the deck; a tether attached to the deck at a point within the recess; a handle attached to the tether that can be received by the recess when the handle is not in use and can be extended to the length of the tether when the rider wishes to use the handle to perform tricks.
The invention can also include a magnetic plate carried by the top of the deck; a shoe for being worn by a rider that includes a ferrous metal carried by the soles of the shoes that, when in contact with the magnetic plate, secures the shoes to the deck. The soles of the shoes can also include ferrous material integrated into the material of the sole integrated at the time of manufacturing such as metal filings added to the polymer used to manufacture the shoe. The magnet can be an electromagnet in electronic communication with a controller and actuation button so that when the actuation button is depressed, the electromagnet energizes securing the shoes to the deck. In one embodiment, the activation button is in wireless communications with the controller.
The invention can also include a clip attached to the top of the deck; an opening defined in a rider's shoe that is operably arranged to receive the clip when the shoe slides against the clip securing the shoe to the deck.
Further, the invention can include a first material having a higher rigidity than a second area wherein the first area is located at the joint between a flat portion of the deck and an upward angled portion of the deck creating a flexing area.
The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appended claims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and certain embodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanying examples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENTWith reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are herein described.
This invention is directed to a skateboard that is adapted to be easily modified into a plurality of configurations without the need to alter the physical characteristics of the skateboard itself.
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Through using the mounting slots and attachments, a variety of accessories can be arranged in a variety of configurations. For example, the traditional truck 26 having wheels 28a and 28b can have an attachment 30 connected to the truck. It should be noted that when the attachment is received in the mounting slot, the attachment secures the truck to the deck without having to screw or otherwise physically modify the deck to secure the truck. The truck can easily be added, removed or positioned along the rails to provide for a variety of configurations. Other accessories can include a single wheel 32 that pivots in a direction shown as 34, an ice blade 36 for use on ice and a pivot member 38 for attachment to the front or rear of the skateboard to allow the rider to kick up on one end and pivot in a circular motion.
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The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A modifiable skateboard comprising:
- a deck;
- a first set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged orthogonally to the long axis of the deck;
- a first accessory having a first attachment that is removably received in one of the slots at one end of the deck; and,
- a second accessory having a second attachment that is removably received in one of the slots at the opposite end of the deck.
2. The skateboard of claim 1 including a second set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged parallel to the long axis of the deck.
3. The skateboard of claim 1 including a shaft removably attached vertically to the deck of the skateboard.
4. The skateboard of claim 3 including a handle attached to the shaft at an end opposite the deck and orthogonal to the shaft.
5. The skateboard of claim 1 including powered lights attached to the bottom of the deck for projecting light from underneath the deck.
6. The skateboard of claim 5 including a reflective surface included on the bottom of the deck for reflecting light from underneath the deck.
7. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein the first attachment is selected from the group consisting of: friction fit, pressure fit and detent.
8. The skateboard of claim 1 wherein the first accessory is selected from the group consisting of: a truck with at least one wheel, single wheel, ice blade, pivot, stop and light.
9. The skateboard of claim 1 including an end attached to the deck by an extendable coupling to allow for the length of the skateboard to vary.
10. The skateboard of claim 1 including an end attached to the deck by a spring allowing for the end to flex in relation to the deck.
11. A modifiable skateboard comprising:
- a deck;
- a first set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged orthogonally to the long axis of the deck;
- a second set of mounting slots defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving attachments arranged parallel to the long axis of the deck; and,
- an accessory having an attachment that is removably received in one of the slots.
12. The skateboard of claim 11 wherein the accessory is selected from the group consisting of: a truck with at least one wheel, single wheel, ice blade, pivot, stop and light.
13. The skateboard of claim 11 including:
- a recess defined in the top of the deck;
- a tether attached to the deck at a distal end; and,
- a handle attached to the tether at a proximal end that can be received by the recess when the handle is not in use and can be extended to the length of the tether when the rider wishes to use the handle to lift the deck skateboard off the ground.
14. The skateboard of claim 11 including:
- a clip attached to the top of the deck; and,
- an opening defined in a rider's shoe arranged to receive the clip when the shoe slides against the clip thereby securing the shoe to the deck.
15. The skateboard of claim 11 including:
- an opening defined in the center portion of the deck; and,
- a center wheel carried by the deck so that a portion of the wheel protrudes above the deck and a portion of the wheel protrudes below the deck.
16. A modifiable skateboard comprising:
- a deck;
- a set of openings defined in the bottom of the deck for receiving accessories; and,
- an accessory removably attached to the bottom of the deck having an attachment receiving into one opening securing the accessory to the deck.
17. The skateboard of claim 16 wherein the attachment is a threaded post.
18. The skateboard of claim 16 wherein the attachment is secured in one opening by one of the following: friction fit, detent and threads.
19. The skateboard of claim 16 including a recess defined in the top of the deck;
- a tether attached to the deck at a distal end; and,
- a handle attached to the tether at a proximal end that can be received by the recess when the handle is not in use and can be extended to the length of the tether when the rider wishes to use the handle to lift the deck skateboard off the ground.
20. The skateboard of claim 19 including a retracting tether so that the tether retracts into the deck when not in use.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 23, 2014
Inventor: Nathan Scolari (Greenville, SC)
Application Number: 14/208,751
International Classification: A63C 17/01 (20060101); A63C 17/26 (20060101); A63C 17/18 (20060101);