Definitions

• This invention relates to security devices, and more particularly to security locks for use on devices such as skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like.
• Skateboarding, snowboarding and snow skiing are all extremely popular sports today. It has been reported that skateboarding ranks in sixth place in popularity in all sports and is one of the fastest growing sports today. One out of every ten teenagers owns or rides a skateboard. Skateboarding is increasing globally both as a competitive sport, and as a mode of transportation for today's youth. There are primarily two types or styles of skateboards, namely a short one used for high performance such as tricks, competition, and exhibitions, and longboards used for downhill competitions as well as transportation to school, the beach, and neighborhood activities. Today, skateboards often replace bicycles as the preferred mode of transportation.
• snowboarding is one of the fastest growing sports today. One out of every four persons who regularly visits ski resorts owns or rides a snowboard. Snowboarding is increasing globally both as a competitive sport as well as an alternative to conventional skiing. Snow skiing is still the most popular winter time sport in the world today.
• skateboards are an expensive investment, particularly for young people, ranging from around $100 to $300 each.
• skateboarders have to carry their boards while walking through a mall, at school or bury it in the sand at the beach so as to prevent theft.
• Ski resorts frequently have racks for skis, but which normally are not provided with any type of locking system, and such resorts generally have not yet addressed some type of rack for snowboards. As more and more people turn to these sports, the risk of theft is a growing concern.
• a suitable locking device would allow the skateboard rider protection against theft.
• the present locking devices offer the skateboarder the opportunity for protection currently only available to bicyclists and motorists. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple locking device or system for sports equipment like skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for sports equipment, such as skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like which does not require the person to carry a lock, cable or other separate locking device.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved security device for sports equipment.
• the locking devices of the present invention will help deter a would-be thief from stealing skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like while the rider eats lunch, goes to the lodge, car, beach or any other situation would involve leaving their equipment behind for any length of time.
• the present locking concepts can provide the skateboarder, snowboarder and skier extra piece of mind by knowing their equipment is secure.
• Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a skateboard and a first embodiment of a locking device according to the present invention for sporting equipment;
• Figures 2a and 2b illustrate another form of the locking device in further detail
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a skateboard locking device
• Figures 4a through 4d illustrate further details of the device of Fig. 3;
• Figure 5a is a perspective view of a skateboard with a modified form of locking device, and further illustrates the use of a spacer plate on one wheel truck, and Figure 5b is a perspective detailed view of a portion thereof;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of another alternative locking device for skateboards and the like.
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking device according to the present invention for use with a snowboard
• Figure 8 is a perspective view partially showing a pair of snow skis and a further embodiment of a locking device of the present invention for use with snow skis;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative form of bracket which can be used with skateboards and other devices along with some form of locking cable or chain.
• a relatively simple and compact locking device for skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like.
• the device comprises a compact and self-contained cable lock which can be mounted to the truck of a skateboard, boot bracket attachment of a snowboard, or binding of a snow ski so as to be securely affixed to the sports item.
• a lock can include a releasable cable which normally is retracted into the locking device, but which can be extended to lock around a fixed pole or other fixed or stationary object so as to secure the sporting item thereto.
• Other embodiments have different forms of cable lock assemblies.
• a relatively simple bracket is provided which can be securely attached, for example, between the wheel truck and skateboard body, and be used with a cable and lock for securing the sporting item when desired.
• FIG. 1 a portion of one end of the bottom of a skateboard 10 is shown and which has a conventional wheel truck 12 with a truck base 14 and wheels 15 and 16, it being understood that the skateboard has a similar wheel assembly at the other end thereof (not shown in Fig. 1 , but see Fig. 5a) as is conventional.
• the wheel truck base 14 has several holes through which the same is attached to the underside of the skateboard 10 by bolts and nuts 18 in a conventional manner.
• a combination lock assembly 20 is affixed to the skateboard, preferably beneath the wheel truck 14, and includes an extensible cable 22 which can be uncoiled or released so that it can be attached around a secure object, such as a fixed lamp-post, bicycle rack, or the like.
• the combination lock assembly 20 includes a combination lock 24 having the cable 22 affixed within the lock 24 at one end (not seen) and being releasable at a second end 26 by depressing a lock release button 28.
• a recoil button 30 is provided which, when depressed, recoils the cable 22 back into the lock 24.
• the lock 24 further includes rotatable number wheels 32 via which the lock combination can be set.
• combination lock 24 having a cable 22, lock release button 28, cable release button 30 and wheels 32, is essentially a conventional product.
• the combination lock 24 is affixed in any suitable manner, as by bolting or riveting to a sheet metal tab 36 or extrusion.
• the sheet metal tab or extrusion 36 is adapted to be affixed to the bottom of the skateboard underneath the wheel truck 14 via the bolts and nuts 18.
• the tab 36 has suitable holes which mate with the holes in the wheel truck 14 to allow this mounting arrangement.
• the bolts and nuts 18 can be further secured by using a liquid locking agent such as Loctite, or secured in any other suitable manner, so as to minimize the chance of disassembly of the lock assembly 20 from the truck 14 and board 10.
• a suitable decorative cover 38 having an end cap 39 can be provided as part of the lock assembly 20.
• the skateboarder merely sets the appropriate combination on the wheels 32 of the lock and depresses the lock release button 28 which allows the cable 22 to be detached at end 26.
• a length of the cable can then be pulled out of the lock 24 and wrapped around a secure object such as a lamp post or other device, and the end 26 reinserted into the lock 24 and the wheels 32 changed to thereby secure cable 22 in the lock 24, and thus secure the skateboard to the fixed object.
• the present arrangement is relatively compact and lightweight and does not interfere with or impede the operation of the skateboard 10, while still providing protection against theft.
• the combination lock can be replaced by a key lock if desired. However, the combination lock is preferred since the user does not have to keep, and keep track of, a key.
• skateboards like skateboard 10 are quite flexible, and, thus, it is important that an item like the lock assembly 20 be formed of a material which also is somewhat flexible so as not to impede the flexibility of the board. Any suitable material can be used including aluminum, super tough nylon, and the like. It is also important that the assembly 20 be formed of a material which can withstand the impact when skidded on a hard or rough surface, such as a curb.
• the end cap 39 at the forward end of the assembly is suitably configured to minimize the chance of the lock assembly 20 catching on any item during use of the skateboard. Further, it is important that any structure added at or near the wheel truck 14 and wheels 15 and 16 not interfere with the flexing of the same and do not present any drag points to the wheels themselves.
• a second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, and is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1 in that a lock assembly is adapted to be mounted under the wheel of truck 14 (not shown in Fig. 2), but has a different form of combination lock arrangement.
• the combination lock assembly 46 includes an extrusion 48 forming a base plate which is disposed underneath the wheel truck 14 (not shown in Fig. 2) to the skateboard 10 (not shown in Fig. 2).
• the base plate 48 includes as an integral part a tubular side section 54 to which an end of a cable 52 is secured.
• the base plate 48 has suitable mounting holes 48a to allow the same to be secured to the skateboard via the mounting bolts for the truck 14.
• the lock assembly 46 further includes the steel cable 52, preferably plastic coated and permanently affixed, as by swaging for example, to the tubular side section 54.
• the base plate 48 extrusion also includes an upstanding bracket 62.
• the first end of the cable 52 is secured in the section 54, and the second end is hingeably connected by a steel pin 56 to a removable end 58a of a conventional combination lock 58.
• a second end 58b of the combination lock 58 is secured via another steel pin 60 to the bracket 62.
• the combination lock 58 has a plurality of wheels 64 which can be rotated to set the combination and to allow the same to be opened at the end 58a to thereby enable the cable 52 to be released and then wrapped around a fixed object in a manner like the cable 22 of Figure 1.
• the combination lock assembly 46 further includes a cable retainer member or plate 66 attached to the board forward of the extrusion 48, and has a flanged forward section 68 for normally retaining the cable 52 underneath the flange 68 as seen in Figure 2a.
• This arrangement help prevent the cable from catching on objects while the skateboard is in use, but allows the cable to be pulled out from under the flange 68 when the combination lock 58 is released by setting the selected combination.
• the embodiment of Figure 2a further preferably includes a molded plastic skid plate 70, suitably spaced from the flange 68 by a spacer tab 72 to provide room for the insertion and removal of the cable 52 under the flange 68.
• This skid plate 70 is disposed toward the forward end of the overall combination lock assembly and helps in preventing the assembly 46 from catching on objects when the skateboard is in use.
• the lock assembly of Figures 2a and 2b be sufficiently flexible and designed so as not to impede flexibility of the associated skateboard.
• the retainer member 66 and skid plate 70 are formed of suitably strong but yet flexible material, such as super tough nylon, so as to be somewhat flexible and also withstand impact and abrasion.
• the member 66 is secured at its forward end 49 with suitable screws (not shown) mounted through screw holes 50a.
• rearward screw holes 50b preferably are elongated, and the rear end of the member 66 is in the form of a tab and is not fastened to the board by screws but, instead, the rearwardly extending tab 67 fits within a slot 48a in the extrusion 48 to be disposed underneath the wheel truck base 14.
• This arrangement allows the retainer member 66 to be retained against the bottom of the skateboard (not shown in Figure 2b), but allows some movement of the retainer member 66 forward and backwards with respect to the extrusion 48 to minimize impeding flexibility of the board.
• FIG. 3 A further embodiment is shown in Figure 3, and like reference numerals are used for items which are the same as in Figure 1 , namely a skateboard 10, truck 12, truck base 14, wheels 15, 16 and mounting nuts and bolts 18.
• This embodiment differs in that the lock assembly 70 is entirely removable from the board 10.
• the assembly 70 comprises a combination lock 72 and cable 74 having an end 75 which releases from the lock 72 so that the cable 74 can be threaded through open barrels 76, 77 of an extrusion 78, preferably a machined aluminum extrusion and which is shown in greater detail in Figures 4a and 4c.
• the cable 74 can be released when the combination is set and a cable release 72a is depressed.
• a molded plastic skid plate 80 serves both as a skid plate and a cover or retainer for the combination lock 72. As will be apparent, the extrusion 78 is mounted underneath the truck base 14. The skid plate 80 includes a plurality of holes 84 to allow the same to be retained on the board by suitable wood screws.
• FIG. 5a shows an example of how the assembly 70 can be secured to the board extrusion.
• the relatively wide barrel sections 76 and 77 are relatively difficult to cut in the case of an attempted theft.
• one of the barrel sections, such as section 77 as best seen in Figure 4a is of a shorter length so as to allow the shackle of a typical padlock to fit within the opening therein if desired.
• a further alternative for allowing the use of conventional padlocks is shown in Figure 5b and will be discussed subsequently.
• FIGS 5a and 5b the same illustrate a modification of the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 wherein an extrusion 88 similar to the extrusion 78 of Fig. 3 has side barrel sections 86 and 87 with at least one drilled hole 87a (note Fig. 5b) to more readily allow a short shackle 90 of a lock 91 to be locked to the extrusion 88 so as to enable a cable 92 to be locked about any suitable fixed object for security purposes.
• This Figure 5a also illustrates how the lock assembly 70 can be fed through one of the barrels 86 for locking the board to a fixed object for security purposes.
• FIG 6 another embodiment is shown which is substantially identical to that of Figure 1 , but in this case for a snowboard 96.
• the combination lock assembly 20 is identical to that shown in Figure 1 , and includes the tab 36 which can be attached to the top of the board 96 via the snowboard boot bracket 97.
• the boot bracket 97 is conventional, except to the extent it or the tab 36 may need to be modified to fit the tab 36 underneath the boot bracket.
• FIG. 7 A still further embodiment is illustrated in Figure 7, and in this case a lock assembly 100a - 100b is provided for a pair of snow skis 102a - 102b having typical bindings 104a - 104b with respective bases 106a - 106b for attachment to the skis.
• the lock assemblies 100a and 100b in this embodiment may comprise a pair of assemblies 100a and 100b forming a two-part design so as to provide equal weight on both skis 102a - 102b, although a single combination lock assembly could be used (similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 6) if desired.
• Each assembly 100a and 100b includes an elongated sheet metal plate 110a - 110b which is secured under the binding plates 106a - 106b to the respective skis 102a - 102b.
• One of the two assemblies 100a - 100b includes a combination or key lock, and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 the assembly 100a is shown with a combination lock 114 with an opening 115 for an end 116 of a cable 117 which, in turn, is fixed at 118 to the second lock assembly 100b.
• the lock assembly can include a recoil assembly in assembly 100b so as to allow the cable 117 to be fully retracted within assembly 100b when not in use.
• a recoil button 120 is provided for this purpose.
• the lock assembly 110a can be a key lock.
• the forward end 124 of assembly 100a can be formed of flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, with a slit 125 to allow the end 126 to be pulled forwardly so as to uncover a key slot hold.
• This flexible end 126 arrangement allows the key slot hole to be covered while the skis are in use so as to prevent or minimize snow or other material entering the key slot hold.
• a further lock arrangement is illustrated in Figure 8 and comprises a cable coil assembly 130 housing a coil of cable 132.
• the assembly 130 includes a plurality of apertures 134 to allow the same to be mounted beneath the truck base 14 (not shown in Fig. 6).
• the cable 132 retracts under spring pressure within the assembly 130.
• FIG 9 illustrates still another, and simpler arrangement for locking sports equipment, particularly skateboards.
• This device does not include its own built in lock (not shown but of the type used to lock bicycles) or cable assembly as in the other embodiments, but comprises a metal bracket 142 configured to fit, for example, under the truck base 14 (Fig. 1 ) and to provide inclined ribs 144, 146 with respective holes 144a, 146a for receiving a separate cable and lock which the skateboarder can carry in a pocket or the like.
• This assembly provides a very simple and inexpensive device which can be mounted between the truck base 14 and bottom of the skateboard 10 (Fig. 1 ) via mounting holes 148.
• An upstanding tab 150 can be integrally formed, and can have a recessed area 152 for a label containing a logo, instructions for use, or the like.
• the bracket 112 typically can be formed of 0.093 inch thickness 50/52 aluminum, with an anodized finish, which has been found to be of suitable structural integrity for use as a locking bracket.

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• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Cleaning Of Streets, Tracks, Or Beaches (AREA)
• Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
• Polysaccharides And Polysaccharide Derivatives (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

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Citations (1)

• 2000
  • 2000-03-17 EP EP00916520A patent/EP1268962A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-03-17 CA CA002402008A patent/CA2402008C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-03-17 AU AU2000237610A patent/AU2000237610A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-03-17 JP JP2001569099A patent/JP2003528235A/ja active Pending

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