GB2355667A

GB2355667A - Skateboard

Info

Publication number: GB2355667A
Application number: GB9925408A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alun Ceri Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-28
Filing date: 1999-10-28
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: GB9925408D0

Abstract

A skateboard comprises a pair of ball-rollers 22,24 at opposite ends of, and with centres substantially intersected by the central longitudinal axis of, an elongate deck 2, and a pair of wheels 12,14 at each of these ends, each wheel being directed away from the central longitudinal axis towards an adjacent deck end. The wheels of one or other side may be bought into contact with the ground to steer the skateboard, and in combination with roller-balls when the board is horizontal, give the skateboard the motion characteristics of a snowboard. Each wheel may be arranged to rotate in a fixed plane substantially perpendicular to the deck, about an axis extending below the deck, mounted substantially in line and flush with an adjacent side edge, with a portion extending through a side-cut in the deck. The side edges may be arcuate, the deck may flex to vary the turning radius of the board.

Description

1 2355667 Skateboard The present invention relates to a skateboard.

The modern design of a skateboard, comprising a deck having two pairs of wheels mounted on respective pivoting trucks, f irst gained widespread popularity amongst surf ers who, through riding the skateboard, could enjoy, on dry land, a sensation similar to that of surfing.

Within the last few years, the sport of snowboarding has become increasingly popular, and skateboarding has enjoyed renewed popularity amongst snowhoarders who wish to enjoy the sensation of snowboarding without having to travel to a snowcovered slope.

However, the behaviour of the modern design of skateboard differs from that of a snowboard in a number of significant respects. I have now devised a skateboard which behaves in a manner more closely resembling that of a snowboard. In accordance with the present invention, there is provid ed a skateboard comprising: an elongate deck; 20 a pair of ball-rollers mounted at opposite ends of the deck such that the central longitudinal axis of the deck extends substantially through the centre of each ball; and a pair of wheels mounted on each side of the deck towards the frort and the rear of the deck, each wheel being directed away from the central, longitudinal axis of the deck towards its adjacent end of the deck, and arranged such that, in use, the two wheels on one or other side of the deck may be brought into contact with the ground, to steer the skateboard, by pivoting the deck about said central, longitudinal axis.

Thus, with the deck substantially level with the 2 ground, the ball-rollers provide the side-slip associated with a snowboard, and by pivoting the deck to one side or another the board may be made to steer in the same manner as a snowboard. 5 Preferably each wheel is arranged to rotate in a fixed plane substantially perpendicular to the deck. Preferably the side-edges of the deck are tapered such that the deck narrows in width substantially midway between its ends, the wheels being mounted substantially in-line with their adjacent side-edges. Most preferably, the wheels are mounted flush with the side-edges of the deck with a portion of each wheel preferably extending through a respective side-cut formed in the deck.

The deck is preferably formed with arcuate side-edges, so that the radius of curvature of the side-edges determines the turning radius of the skateboard.

Preferably the deck is flexible to vary the turning radius of the board.

Preferably each of the wheels is arranged to rotate about a respective axis extending below the deck.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of a skateboard in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the underside of the skateboard of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the skateboard; and Figure 4 is a section through the skateboard along the line A-A' in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a skateboard is shown comprising a flexible elongate deck 2 of sheet material, the side-edges 4, 6 of which are arcuate in form.

3 Respective ball-rollers 8,10 are mounted at each end of the deck 2, such that the central longitudinal axis of the deck extends substantially through the centre of each of the ball rollers.

A respective pair of wheels 12,14 are mounted on each side of the deck 2 towards the front and the rear of the deck, substantially perpendicular to the deck and substantially in line with the side-edges 4,6 of the deck.

The wheels 12, 14 are mounted on respective axles 16 f ixed to the underside of the deck 2 and each has an upper portion 18 extending through a respective side-cut 20 formed in the deck, so that the faces of the wheels lie flush with the side-edges 4,6 of the deck.

The dependent portions 22,24 of the two ball-rollers 8,10 project further below the underside of the deck 2 than the dependant portions 26 of each of the wheels so that, in use, the two wheels 12,14 on one or other side of the deck may be brought into contact with the ground, to steer the skateboard, by pivoting the deck about its central, longitudinal axis.

The radius of curvature of the side-edges 4,6 of the deck 2 thus determine the turning radius of the skateboard, however this may be varied by exerting increased pressure on one or other side of the deck, causing the deck to flex. This flexing technique is the same as that used to vary the turning radius of a snowboard.

As shown in Figure 4, each ball-roller 8,10 is mounted within a respective shell casing comprising an upper hemispheric portion 28 and a lower annular retaining portion 30, the two portions 28,30 being secured respectively to the upper and lower surfaces of the deck 2 by a plurality of pins which extend through corresponding apertures 32,34,36 formed in each of the two portions and in the deck.

The two-part shell casings are each fitted with a plurality of ballbearings 38 which allow the ball-rollers 8,10 4 to rotate about any axis through their respective centres.

Thus, with the deck 2 substantially level with the ground, the ballrollers 8,10 provide both forwards and backwards motion, as well as the side-slip and spin associated 5 with a snowboard.

The skateboard thus described behaves in a manner substantially different to that of a conventional skateboard, but in a manner very closely resembling that of a snowboard.

Claims

1) A skateboard comprising: an elongate deck; a pair of ball-rollers mounted at opposite ends of the deck such that the central longitudinal axis of the deck extends substantially through the centre of each ball; and a pair of wheels mounted on each side of the deck towards the front and the rear of the deck, each wheel being directed away from the central, longitudinal axis of the deck towards its adjacent end of the deck, and arranged such that, in use, the two wheels on one or other side of the deck may be brought into contact with the ground, to steer the skateboard, by pivoting the deck about said central, longitudinal axis.

2) A skateboard as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each wheel is arranged to rotate in a fixed plane substantially perpendicular to the deck.

3) A skateboard as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the side-edges of the deck are tapered such that the deck narrows in width substantially midway between its ends, the wheels being mounted substantially in-line with their adjacent side-edges.

4) A skateboard as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the wheels are mounted flush with the side-edges of the deck with a portion of each wheel preferably extending through a respective side-cut formed in the deck.

5) A skateboard as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the deck is formed with arcuate side-edges.

6 6) A skateboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the deck is flexible to vary the turning radius of the board.

7) A skateboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the wheels is arranged to rotate about a respective 5 axis extending below the deck.

8) A skateboard substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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