AU6966200A

AU6966200A - Skateboard

Info

Publication number: AU6966200A
Application number: AU69662/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Leonard Natterer; Christian Zwinger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-04
Filing date: 2000-11-01
Publication date: 2001-05-10
Also published as: EP1097733A2; NO20005540L; JP2001178863A; EP1097733A3; DE19953176A1; CA2324645A1; NO20005540D0

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): CHRISTIAN ZWINGER LEONARD NATTERER Invention Title:

SKATEBOARD

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CI1 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

IA

Skateboard Description The invention relates to a skateboard according to the preamble to the Claim 1.

10 Similar skateboards have a footplate or standing surface that accommodates both the user's feet at once, on the underside of which are mounted running wheels or rollers, the axles of which are oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the footplate and perpendicular to its long direction. Customarily four running wheels are rotatably mounted on two axles that are parallel to one another in the basic position but at least one of which can swing out of parallel with the other, in a plane parallel to the plane of the footplate, when the user applies force by shifting his weight.

The patent US 4,795,181 discloses a skateboard modified in its i basic construction such that in addition to the two pairs of "..."running rollers disposed at the ends of the footplate, it comprises a substantially central, considerably larger wheel, and the footplate is angled in a region near this central wheel. This skateboard amounts in every riding situation to a tricycle, on which the user shifts his weight longitudinally in order to determine which of the pairs of rollers mounted at the two ends of the footplate makes contact with the ground, together with the central wheel.

The patent WO 95/27541 describes a skateboard that comprises a large central ball, mounted so that it rotates about a horizontal axis, in addition to a pair of considerably smaller balls in the front region, likewise mounted on a fixed, horizontal axle, and at the back end a single ball mounted on 2 an axle that can swing horizontally. The suspensions of the balls and the balls themselves are so dimensioned that when the footplate is horizontal, only the central ball contacts the ground, and when the user's weight is shifted either the front wheel, the fixed pair of balls, or the back, swivelable single ball can be brought into contact with the ground. This construction is intended to improve maneuverability in comparison with a conventional skateboard and to reduce frictional resistance during operation.

0 The patents US 5,419,570 and US 5,601,299 disclose various embodiments of so-called inline skateboards, in which several running wheels are disposed in a track, one behind another.

Whereas the rider of the inline skateboard according to US 5,601,299 uses sticks similar to ski poles, the skateboard according to US 5,419,570 is provided at its front end with a S. long steering rod, which enables balancing. In a special embodiment of the former skateboard, which is maneuvered with poles, instead of the frontmost wheel a ball is provided, mounted without an axle in a spherical bearing. This embodiment 20 serves as a training device to increase the rider's safety on demanding roadways or terrain.

*."The patent EP 0 500 991 B1 discloses a skateboard for street- "skiing" according to the preamble to the Claims 1 and 2. This skateboard comprises, disposed one behind the other on a track line in the neutral position, a steerable front wheel and a back wheel fixed within the track, both situated in the plane of symmetry of a footplate that extends far out to the sides as well as far beyond the front and back axles. This skateboard, too, is maneuvered with ski poles.

The object of the invention is to disclose a skateboard of this generic kind that is improved with respect to maneuverability as well as to the attainable running speed and to meeting various athletic demands made on the user.

3 This object is achieved by a skateboard with the characteristics given in Claims 1 and 2, respectively.

The invention encompasses, on one hand, the essential aspect that a steerable front wheel axle is provided on a steering axle, which is tilted forward with respect to the vertical and is attached to the chassis approximately at the level of the front axle.

According to another essential aspect the invention encompasses the fundamental idea of providing a footplate, disposed 10 substantially between the front and the back wheel axles, that at least in sections is lower than the highest point on the circumference of the wheel. According to this aspect, therefore, wheels of relatively large dimensions in comparison to conventional skateboards are provided in S 15 combination with a footplate in a relatively low position.

According to a first preferred embodiment the front and the back wheel suspensions each consist of a wheel fork that extends on both sides of the associated axle, i.e. the steering axle in the region of the front-wheel guide means or the back- 20 wheel axle, so as to attach the axle to the chassis of the skateboard. In an especially advantageous embodiment the two wheel forks are formed by tubular frame elements that extend between the steering axle and the back wheel axle and in an intermediate region are rigidly connected to one another. The rigid connection is brought about in particular by the footplate itself or by a footplate carrier, which for example is welded or screwed to the two frame tubes. Depending on the specific position in which the footplate is fixed, an additional connection between the two frame tubes can be provided in the vicinity of one of the two wheel axles. The frame tubes can furthermore extend forward beyond the long axis or (in particular) backward beyond the back wheel axle and in this projecting region can hold either part of a one-piece footplate or a separate front or back footplate.

4 In one advantageous embodiment the front and back wheel axle each bear a single front or back wheel, which in the neutral position run in a single track line.

In an embodiment alternative to the preceding, the front and back wheel axles each bear a pair of front or back wheels, in which case the distance between the wheels in the back pair is considerably larger than between those in the front pair.

A combination of these two embodiments is also possible inasmuch as a single, steerable front wheel is combined with a :1 0 pair of back wheels, in an arrangment resembling a tricycle chassis.

In an embodiment of the chassis alternative to the preceding fork mounting or also combinable therewith by being applied to S. only one of the wheel axes, the front and/or the back wheel suspension comprises a one-sided wheel-axle mounting. In the special embodiment in which both wheel suspensions are of onesided construction, the coupling points are disposed in the region of the front and back wheel axle on different sides of the front or back wheel, or the front or back pair of wheels.

In this case the load-bearing element of the chassis in an advantageous embodiment is a single frame tube that runs at an angle or in an S shape across the track line of the skateboard.

In this embodiment of the chassis, again, on each of the front and back axles either a single wheel or a pair of wheels can be provided.

In an embodiment of the skateboard that demands and favors a snowboard-like style of riding, the footplate disposed between the front and the back wheel axle is equipped with a foot holder or binding, which is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the footplate and the center of which coincides in particular with the track of the skateboard.

When riding this skateboard the user keeps one foot fixed 5 within this binding while the other remains freely movable and, in particular, can be set onto an extension of the footplate or an additional footplate situated in the region of the back wheel axle.

The foot plate or section of a one-piece footplate located between the front and the back wheel axle, and/or the footplate section lying above the back wheel axle or separate footplate provided there, can be so constructed as to be either substantially horizontal or inclined slightly forward.

10 When a footplate is provided that is continuous from the region of the steering axle a region ahead of the front wheel axle) into the region of the back wheel axle, this footplate *can comprise a section just behind the front wheel axle that is relatively steeply inclined backward, against which the user's front foot is braced.

The steering axle, in particular in the single-wheel design, is preferably provided with a restoring element that tends to bring the front wheel back into the neutral position. In a simple embodiment this is a torsion-spring element fixed i 20 between the wheel guide means and the wheel. In the design with a pair of wheels in front, this restoring element can in some cases be eliminated, because paired wheels in any case tend to return to the neutral position when the skateboard is in motion.

In view of the explosively growing market for wheeled boards with a steering rod (kickboards), an especially interesting embodiment of the skateboard in accordance with the invention is one in which a handlebar or steering rod is disposed in the vicinity of (behind) the front wheel guide means. This component is situated in the midplane of the footboard or footplate and stands upright, substantially perpendicular thereto.

6 Hence when the footplate is designed to be inclined forward, the steering rod is preferably likewise tilted somewhat forward. However, it can also have some other orientation or, in particular where it is designed as a handlebar, be angled in its upright section. The mounting or coupling of the handlebar or steering rod is preferably disposed somewhat above the footplate.

Advantages and useful features of the invention will further be apparent from the subordinate claims and the following S: 10 description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein o:oo Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the .invention, in part as an exploded drawing, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 (without binding in place), Fig. 3 is a side view of the slightly modified embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2 (without binding in place), Fig. 4a is a cross-sectional drawing of the front wheel, and 4b S is a side view of the front wheel mounting, in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 5a is a cross-sectional drawing, and 5b is a side view, of the back wheel in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4b, Fig. 6 is a sketch of one state of board and rider when the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 5b is in use, Fig. 7 is a (partially sectioned) side view of a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, 7 Figs. 9a and 9b are (partially sectioned) plan and side views, respectively, of the front wheel mounting in the embodiment according to Figs. 7 and 8, Fig. 10a is a cross-sectional view, and Fig. 10b a side view, of the back wheel mounting in the embodiment according to Figs.

7 to 9b, Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view to explain the front wheel mounting in the embodiment according to Figs. 7 to Fig. 12 is a perspective schematic drawing of a third 10 embodiment of the invention, *Fig. 13 is a view of the underside of the third embodiment, Fig. 14 is a side view of the third embodiment (slightly modified), and Figs. 15A to 15C show, in perspective, plan view and side view 15 respectively, a skateboard designed as a kickboard according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 1 to 3 show a skateboard 1 of the inline type, with a steerable front wheel 3 and a fixed back wheel 5, mounted in a double-tube frame 7 consisting of a first frame tube 7a and a second frame tube 7b. The frame tubes 7a, 7b are welded, at a position ahead (with respect to the direction of travel) of the geometric front axis Al, to a steering head 9 and hence are also rigidly connected to one another at this point, and in addition they are connected to one another by way of a first footplate 11 disposed about halfway between the front axis Al and a back axis A2, and by way of a second footplate 13 that covers the entire back wheel 5 and also, in the region where they extend the furthest, the two frame tubes 7a, 7b. The connection can be brought about as shown in Fig. 1, by screwing the frame tubes 7a, 7b to the footplates 11, 13 by way of bores 8 in the frame tubes that are visible in the figure but not identified by a numeral; in the embodiment according to Figs. 2 and 3, however, where no bores are shown, the parts can be connected by welding or by an adhesive. The second footplate 13 is additionally attached by way of suitably shaped supports that are pushed over the back ends of the frame tubes 7a, 7b.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it can clearly be seen that the frame tubes 7a, 7b are bent outward in the region of the front wheel 3, in order to enable the front wheel to be sufficiently deflected.

10 The first footplate 11 has a substantially rectangular basic shape with a circular plateau region 1la, onto which a binding or foot holder 17, which is rotatable about the vertical axis SA3 in the center of the plateau region 1la, is screwed by means of bolts 15. The second footplate 13 has a convex curvature, which in part of the footplate matches the curvature of the back wheel 5, and comprises an elongated central aperture 13a.

The frame tubes 7a and 7b, as well as the plateau region lla and hence also the floor area 17a of the binding 17, in the embodiment shown here are horizontal when the skateboard is in 20 the position it occupies during use.

In Figs. 4a to 5b the front and back wheels and the front wheel guide means of the skateboard 1 are shown in greater detail, in section and in side view. The front wheel 3, as can be seen in Figs. 4a and 4b, comprises an inner wheel rim 3a and an outer wheel rim 3b, each of which is split along the median plane; the two wheel rims are connected by a ball bearing 3c so that they can rotate slightly with respect to one another. The outer wheel rim 3b has a rubber or plastic tread 3d. The inner wheel rim 3a, as can best be seen in Fig. 4b, is shaped in accordance with the shape and position of the steering head 9, so that the wheel 3 is attached to the steering head either by way of a fixation axle (not shown), which passes through the steering head 9 in the long direction and on both sides of the steering head inserts into the inner wheel rim 3a, or by way of corresponding peg sections. As a restoring element to guide the 9 deflected wheel 3 back into the neutral position, a torsionspring element 9a is fixed between the inner wheel rim 3a and the upper end surface of the steering head 9.

The back wheel 5, which according to Fig. 1 is held within the frame tubes 7a, 7b by a full floating axle 19 oriented along the geometrical back axis A2, is designed as an entirely plastic wheel split in the median plane, as can be seen in Figs. 5a and 5b. To support it so that it can rotate about the axle 19 a ball bearing 5a is provided, and the outer 0 circumference is covered by a flexible tread

S..

The sketch in Fig. 6 shows one position a user M can occupy on *the skateboard 1; in this case the user is shifting his weight so as to tilt the skateboard 1 to the side and hence simultaneously cause the front wheel 3 to be deflected toward the right. It can be seen that the right foot of the user M is fixed in the binding 17, while the left foot is placed above the back wheel 5 so that it can move freely over the second footplate 13.

A skateboard in the embodiment just described can be propelled :i 20 forward entirely by weight shifts, with no pushing by the feet, and the provision of a front wheel that can be deflected by weight shifts during coasting ensures high maneuverability in combination with high stability during use, which with the assistance of the restoring element for the steered front wheel enables "flutter-free" riding. The wheels have a considerably larger diameter than do the conventional skateboard running wheels, which additionally enables the user to travel relatively rapidly and securely even on an uneven surface.

Figs. 7 to 11 show overall views and drawings of parts of a skateboard 21 with inline construction in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Here a deflectable front wheel 23 and a back wheel 25 are suspended and guided in a chassis, the core element of which is a single frame tube 27.

10 The frame tube 27, as is evident in Fig. 8, runs at an angle to a track line S' defined by the front wheel 23 (in the neutral position) and the back wheel 25 of the skateboard 21, and at each end is bent toward the line S' The front end of the frame tube 27 supports a steering head 29, which also in this embodiment is combined with a torsion-spring element 29a to assist the movement of the front wheel 23 back into the neutral position. The steering head 29 is here constructed as an approximately U-shaped component overall; the 1 0 axis of deflection A4' passes through it in its front region, where it is fixed to the chassis in a manner described in more detail below, and the geometrical front axis Al' passes through it in its back region, where it receives a front axle 30 of the front wheel 23. In the middle region between the front wheel 23 and the back wheel 25, in this embodiment as well, a first footplate 31 is provided, which comprises a flat plateau region 31a to which can be attached a rotatable binding (not shown here) similar to the binding shown in Fig. 1. At the back end I of the frame tube 27 the back wheel 25 is supported on a rigid 20 back axle 32. Above the back wheel 25 a second footplate 33 is provided.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, in this embodiment the frame, i.e.

the frame tube 27, is not horizontal but rather slopes upward toward the back wheel. At the front end of the frame tube 27 its central axis is below the geometric front axis Al', whereas its elongation at the back end is above the geometric back axis A2'. In this region the frame tube 27 bends down again so as to receive the back axle 32. Both the plateau region 31a of the first footplate 31 and hence its central axis A3' and also the surface of the second footplate 33 are thus somewhat slanted.

In Figs. 9a and 9b as well as Fig. 11 the front wheel and its suspension are shown in detail, while Figs. 10a and 10b show the back wheel. Both the front wheel 23 and the back wheel 11 as can be seen in these drawings, are here made entirely of plastic and have a conspicuously rounded surface, so that the tread merges smoothly with the side walls. The wheels are each mounted on their axles by way of ball bearings, 23a and respectively.

The principle of the way the front wheel 23 is held and guided is made clear by the set of drawings in Figs. 9a, 9b and 11. It can be seen that the U-shaped steering head 29 in its front, approximately cylindrical region is embraced by a fork 27a attached to the frame tube 27, which extends over the upper and lower end faces of the cylinder. Between the upper end face of the (not individually labelled) cylindrical section of the steering head 29 and the upper section of the fork 27a rests the torsion-spring element 29a. This can for example be an 15 elastomer element glued to the lower surface of the upper fork section and the upper end face of the cylindrical section of the steering head 29, which acts as a torsion spring Through this assembly, namely the ends of the fork 27a, the cylindrical section of the steering head 29 and the torsion-spring element 20 29a, passes a threaded bolt 34 with nut (not shown), which coincides with the steering axis A3' and holds the assembly together. In the region of the back axle, as can be seen in "Fig. 10a, the frame tube 27 comprises an inserted massive endpiece 36, into which the back axle 32 is inserted and to which the back wheel 25 is attached by way of the ball bearing This design also provides the advantages mentioned above regarding the first embodiment, in substantially the same way.

In addition, the simpler frame construction saves weight and enables more economical manufacture, and furthermore the lastdescribed design is Particularly maneuverable and makes specific demands on the skill of the user.

In Figs. 12 to 14, as a third embodiment, a skateboard 41 constructed according to the tricycle principle is shown; it comprises a pair of front wheels 43, a pair of back wheels 12 and central profile frame 47 (best seen in the view from below according to Fig. 13) that connects the two wheel pairs. (The sketch in Fig. 12 and the bottom and side views in Figs. 13 and 14 differ in certain details of design but nevertheless are here described as a single embodiment.) In fundamental analogy to the first and second embodiments, the pair of front wheels 43 with the geometric front axis Al'' is held on the frame 47 in a trailing guide means by way of a steering head 49 with a geometrical steering axis The 1 0 steering head 49 is here screwed to the central profile frame 47 by way of an attachment plate 49a. On a front axle 50 that is held by the steering head 49, the front wheels 43a, 43b are slightly rotatably mounted by way of ball bearings (not shown), so that the distance between the two wheels is small, less than the width of a wheel.

The upper surface of the central profile frame 47, as can best be seen in Fig. 14, is flat and tilted forward in its back and i middle region whereas in the front region, above the front wheel pair 43, it is angled in several places so that it encloses the upper side of the front wheel pair 43 relatively closely. Over the entire length of the frame 47 a footboard 51 is provided, which consists of one continuous piece that is multiply angled to conform to the shape of the frame 47 and which from a straight back edge at a right angle to the axis of symmetry tapers toward the front end, so that it has a streamlined shape. A back axle 52, on which the back wheels 45b are mounted a relatively large distance apart from one another, is attached to the central profile frame 47 by way of a back axle suspension 53 and an associated fixation plate 53a.

The third embodiment also provides substantially the same advantages over conventional skateboards as have been cited above, but is more strongly oriented toward basic shape and running characteristics than the designs described above. The uninterrupted footboard enables a practiced skateboard user to 13 use this skateboard without modifying his technique in any basic way.

In Figs. 15A to 15C, as a fourth embodiment of the invention, is shown a kickboard variant of the skateboard in accordance with the invention, the structure of which corresponds substantially to that of the third embodiment. Parts that correspond substantially (apart from modifications in dimensions or in design) to those in the third embodiment shown in Figs. 12 to 14 are identified by the same reference numerals as used for the third embodiment. These parts are not discussed further here. The essential difference consists in the presence of a steering rod 54, which comprises an outer tube 54a and, ending in a steering knob 54d, an inner tube 54c the height of which within the outer tube is adjustable and can be fixed by 15 means of a locking ring 54b.

In Fig. 15C it can be seen that above the plane of the actual o* footboard 51', in a frame element 55 that is screwed to the footboard 51' and connects the latter to the suspension of the eoeee front wheel pair 43', a steering-rod holding pin is mounted so 20 that it extends slightly above the level of the foot plate in the front region.

With the steering rod 54 the skateboard can be ridden as a kickboard, in which case the advantages of the trailing guide means of the front wheels are again manifest in a favorable manner.

3/A The implementation of the invention is not restricted to the examples described above but is also possible in a large number of modifications that are within the competence of those skilled in the art.. In particular, advantageous combinations of characteristics and elements of the exemplary embodiments described here lie within the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

S*

*o For the purposes of this specification it will be clearly 0 understood that the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and that the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning.

*oS*O O*

Claims

1. Skateboard 21; 41) with a front and a back wheel axis (Al, A2; Al', A2' Al' A2'' disposed in a chassis in parallel both with one another and with a footplate (11, 13; 31, 33; 51), on each of which is mounted at least one wheel 5; 23, 25; 43a, 43b; 45a, 45b), such that the chassis comprises a front wheel suspension disposed ahead of the front wheel axis in the direction of travel so that a front wheel 23) or pair of front wheels (43) is 15 deflectably mounted in a trailing guide means, characterized in that the front wheel suspension comprises a steering axle (A4; A4'; that is tilted forward with respect to the vertical and is perpendicular to and mounted approximately at the same level as the front axis. 20

2. Skateboard 21; 41) with a front and a back wheel axis (Al, A2; Al', A2'; A2 disposed in a chassis in eee. parallel both with one another and with a footplate (11, 13; 31, 33; 51), on each of which is mounted at least one wheel 5; 23, 25), such that the chassis comprises a front wheel suspension disposed ahead of the front wheel axis in the direction of travel so that a front wheel (3; 23) or pair of front wheels (43) is deflectably mounted in a trailing guide means, characterized in that the footplate (11; 31; 51) is disposed substantially between the front and back wheel axes and at least in certain sections lies between a wheel- axis plane defined by the front and back wheel axes and a wheel-circumference plane, substantially parallel to the latter, within which lie the highest points of a front wheel 23) or pair of front wheels (43) and a back wheel 25) or pair of back wheels (45) when the skateboard is in the operating position.

3. Skateboard according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front and/or a back wheel suspension comprises a wheel fork (7a, 7b) that encloses the steering axle (A4) or the back wheel axle (A2) on both sides and holds it in the chassis.

4. Skateboard according to Claim 3, characterized in that the front and back wheel suspensions each comprise a wheel fork (7a, 7b), such that both wheel forks (7a, 7b) are formed by two frame tubes (7a, 7b) that "are rigidly connected to one another between the front and ~back wheel axles, in particular by the footplate (11, 13; 31, 33; 51) or a carrier for the latter. eo

5. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front and back wheel axles (19; 32) support a single front or back wheel 5; 23, both of which in the neutral position run along a single track line S')

6. Skateboard according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the front and back wheel axles support a pair of front or back wheels (43; 45), such that the distance between the wheels on the back axle is substantially, in particular several-fold, greater than the distance between the wheels on the front axle.

7. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front and/or the back wheel suspension (27, 30, 32) comprises a one-sided mounting for the steering or wheel axle. 16

8. Skateboard according to Claim 7, characterized in that the front wheel suspension comprises a one-sided steering-axle mounting and the back wheel suspension comprises a one-sided wheel-axle mounting, such that the coupling points of the steering axle and the back wheel axle are disposed on different sides of the front or back wheel (23; 25), respectively, or of the pair of front or back wheels (43,

9. Skateboard according to Claim 7 or 8, sea.

10 characterized in that the front and back wheel suspensions are each formed by a single frame tube which runs in a substantially slanted or S-shaped line with respect to the track line of the skateboard (21). goe 10. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foot plate (11) comprises a foot oo holder (17) that can be rotated about an axis (A4) substantially perpendicular to its plane, the center of ooeoo which in particular is situated on a track line of the skateboard defined by a single front and a single back 20 wheel. oo a a.

11. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a section of the footplate between the front and back wheel axes A2', and/or a footplate section above the back wheel axis is tilted slightly forward.

12. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, in particular one of the claims 1 to 6 or 11, characterized by construction as a kickboard with a steering rod (54) disposed in the median plane of the skateboard near the front wheel suspension.

13. Skateboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by construction as a wheeled board with a handlebar disposed in the median plane near the front wheel suspension.

14. Skateboard according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the steering rod or the upright part of the handlebar, stands substantially perpendicular to the footplate in particular is tilted slightly forward if the the footplate slopes forward. 10

15. Skateboard according to one of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the mounting means for the steering rod (54) or handlebar is disposed above the adjacent region of the footplate (51') Dated this 1st day of November 2000 CHRISTIAN ZWINGER and LEONARD NATTERER By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia eooo o oo