GB2411125A - Skateboard anti-slip film - Google Patents

Abstract

A skateboard or the like is provided with a self adhesive anti-slip film (4) comprising a sheet of substantially clear resilient elastomeric material (4) coated on one surface with an adhesive composition (5). Indicia (10) may be printed on the board to be visible through the sheet (4). Preferably the elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber.

Description

SKATEBOARD

The present invention relates to a skateboard or the like having a slip resistant surface. It also relates to a film which may be applied to an existing skateboard to provide such a surface.

A conventional skateboard comprises an elongate generally planar platform, or "deck", mounted on two sets ol wheels. rollers or the like. A skateboarder stands on an upper surface of the deck. relying on his or her sense of balance and frictional forces between, the upper surface of the deck and a sole of his or her footwear to remain on the board.

Straps and bindings, similar to those used on skis, have been proposed, but these have not proved popular. Not only would such overt safety equipment be contrary to the underlying ethos of skateboarding, but many ol the tricks performed by skatcboarders rely on rapid changes of foot position, or even involve the skateboarder and board parting company temporarily, often in mid air.

The most popular approach to increasing friction between the boarder's soles and the deck is the application of "grip tape" to the upper surface of the deck. This is a tape material with a self-adhesive layer on one surface and, typically, particulate silicon carbide on an opposite surface.

A deck covered with strips or a layer ol grip tape does provide a much more secure footing than a bare deck, which is typically of a laminated construction having a smooth, glossy upper surface. However, silicon carbide and alternative materials used in grip tape are highly effective abrasives, and skateboarders may as a result experience very rapid wear of the soles of their footwear. An allied problem is encountered when carrying a skateboard, for example under one arm, which can lead to the grip tape wearing holes in the skateboarder's clothing.

Another drawback ol grip tape is that it is black. A majority of skateboards are decorated with bold, brightly coloured designs and logos, particularly on the upper surface of the deck.

However, the application of grip tape obscures these designs, spoiling the effect. An attempt has been made to overcome this by varnishing the deck with a composition containing clear ground glass particles, as disclosed in US Application No. 2002/0011188, but this appears not to have caught on, and in any case would still suffer from the above abrasion problems.

US Patent No. 5622759 proposes a wame-pattern grip tape which is claimed to allow the design on the board to be seen through the gaps in the waffle pattern. However, this would still partially obscure the design, and the tape still relies on abrasives such as silicon carbide to provide its anti-slip effect.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a skateboard with a slip resistant surface that obviates the above problems, and also to provide a film applicable to existing skateboards to provide such a slip resistant surface.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-adhesive anti-slip fihn adapted to be attached to a skateboard or the like, comprising a sheet of substantially clear resilient elastomeric material coated on one surface with an adhesive composition.

Preferably, said sheet has a substantially constant thickness.

Advantageously, said sheet is a calendered sheet.

The sheet may have a thickness of between half a millimetre and three millimetres, optionally in the region of one millimetre.

Preferably, said elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber.

According to a second aspect of' the present invention there is provided a skateboard comprising a tread surl'ace adapted to receive a user's foot, in which at least a part of said tread surface comprises a layer oi'substantially clear, resilient elastomeric material.

Preferably, said layer comprises a sheet of said elastomeric material adhesively mounted to the skateboard.

Advantageously, said sheet is a calendered sheet.

The sheet may have a thickness of between half a millimetre and three millimetres, optionally in the region of one millimetre.

Preferably, said elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber.

The layer of elastomeric material may extend across substantially a whole of the tread surface of the skateboard.

Alternatively, said layer may extend across a portion or portions of the tread surface corresponding to preferred foot positions.

The layer may optionally comprise a plurality of unconnected patches.

The layer may comprise a sell'-adhesive anti-slip film as described in the first aspect above.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a skateboard deck with a self-adhesive anti-slip film embodying the invention mounted thereto; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a skateboard with patches of said antislip film in position thereon.

Referring now to the Figures, and to Figure 1 in particular, a skateboard "deck" I comprises a laminate of several layers 2. A hard, smooth top layer 3 forms an upper, in use, surface of the deck 1. A calendered sheet 4 of a clear silicone rubber composition, approximately one millimetre thick, is attached to the upper surface of the deck I with a layer of clear adhesive 5. The silicone sheet 4 may be applied to the deck 1 during manufacture, or it may be supplied as a self-adhesive film or tape, for a user to apply to his or her own deck 1 as desired.

A skateboarder normally stands on the top layer 3 of the deck 1, relying on friction between top layer 3 and a sole of his footwear (typically "trainers" or the like, soled with synthetic elastomers such as polyurethanes) to maintain contact with the board, particularly when manoeuvring energetically. 'I'he top layer compositions in general use provide only relatively low l'rictional interactions. and skateboarders have thus been compelled to resort to undesirable abrasive grip tape to maintain a secure footing.

However. it has been found that the frictional forces between a resilient trainer sole and a layer of a resilient elastomer, such as a silicone rubber, are sufficiently high to provide the grip required by skateboarders. Thus, the sheet 4 ol' silicone rubber, securely adhesively mounted to the deck 1, will provide a reliable footing, while not abrading the skateboarder's shoe soles (or his clothing whilst carrying the deck 1).

As shown in Figure 2, a typical skateboard 6 comprises a deck I mounted on four wheels 7.

I'he deck 1 is usually elongate and substantially planar, except for upwardly tilted nose 8 and tail 9 sections. The deck I usually bears decorative designs, logos 10 or similar indicia on its upper surface.

The deck 1 shown has a sheet 4 of clear silicone rubber covering a majority of its upper surface, thus providing a user with a secure footing in a variety of stances. It is also possible to apply smaller patches 11 of the silicone rubber sheet, covering only preferred foot positions on the deck 1. For example, a patch I I is shown on the tail section 9 of the deck 1, affording the user good purchase for tricks and dismounts involving downward l'oot pressure (or even kicks) on the tail section 9. It is equally possible to cover a whole of the upper surface of the deck I with the silicone rubber sheet 4 if preferred.

If the silicone rubber sheet 4 is no more than about three millimetres thick, it can be made substantially transparent' allowing uninterrupted display of the logos 10, designs and the like on the deck. At a lower limit, it is at present difficult to obtain a clear silicone rubber composition that would be sul'ficiently tough and strong for this application when used at a thickness of much less than one millimetre. It is therefore believed that half a millimetre would probably be a practical lowest thickness.

A calendered sheet 4 with a flat surface is preferred for maximum clarity, and it is believed that this would provide sufficient friction for almost all situations. However, a sheet 4 with a fine surface ribbing or other texturing might provide additional grip if required, without compromising clarity unacceptably.

While the sheet 4 will usually be used in a colourless form, it may also be possible to use a clear, tinted sheet so as to modify the appearance of the deck 1, or even to introduce fluorescent materials or the like for additional decorative efl'ects.

Although skateboards are believed to be the most important application for this invention, there may also be advantages from applying the anti- slip sheet described to surfboards, tailboards, snowboards or the like.

Claims (13)

1. A skateboard comprising a tread surface adopted to receive a user's foot, in which at least a part of said tread surface comprises a layer of substantially clear, resilient elastomeric material.

2. A skateboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a sheet of said elastomeric material adhesively mounted to the skateboard.

3. A skateboard as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber.

4. A skateboard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet has a thickness of between half a millimetre and three millimetres.

5. A skateboard as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sheet has a thickness in the region of one millimetre.

6. A skateboard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of elastomeric material extends across substantially a whole of the tread surface of the skateboard.

7. A skateboard as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the layer comprises a plurality of unconnected patches.

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

9. A self-adhesive anti-slip film adapted to be attached to a skateboard or the like, comprising a sheet of substantially clear resilient elastomeric material coated on one surface with an adhesive composition.

10. A film as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sheet is a calendered sheet, of substantially constant thickness.

11. A film as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the sheet has a thickness of between half a millimetre and three millimetres.

12. A film as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sheet has a thickness in the region of one millimetre.

13. A film as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber.