GB2538147A

GB2538147A - All-terrain board suspension system

Info

Publication number: GB2538147A
Application number: GB1604676.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Usborne Cross Oliver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-20
Filing date: 2016-03-20
Publication date: 2016-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-20
Also published as: GB2538147B; GB2557377A; GB2557377B; GB201709265D0; GB201604676D0

Abstract

A suspension apparatus for an all-terrain board or mountain board comprises a top bracket 3 for attachment to an upper side of an end section 2 of the board and a bottom bracket 4 for attachment to the underside of the end section. First and second wishbone wheel-supporting members (8a, 8b), each pivotally attached to the bottom bracket 4, extend to either side of the bottom bracket 4 and include means 9a, 9b for supporting a corresponding wheel 10a, 10b. First and second suspension members 13a, 13b are each connected between the top bracket 3 and a corresponding one of the wheel-supporting members 8a, 8b.

Description

All-Terrain Board Suspension System Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a suspension system for an all-terrain board or the like.

Background of the Invention

[0002] All-terrain boards are similar to skate boards, but are adapted for use in rough terrain. These adaptations include: a larger, more flexible board, wider axles and larger wheels with inflatable tyres. The trucks which are used to steer the axles by tilting the board to one side are conventionally the same as used in skate boards. All-terrain boards may be used for mountain boarding, kite boarding and other sports.

[0003] It would be desirable to develop an improved suspension system for all-terrain boards, allowing them to be used on rougher terrain. At the same time, the suspension system should not compromise the steering ability of the board or the clearance of the board over the terrain.

[0004] It is also important that the suspension system is not so heavy that it makes the all-terrain board difficult to carry, or so complex that it is very expensive to manufacture. Ideally, the suspension system should be compatible with existing all-terrain boards.

[0005] Various proposals have been made at improving all-terrain hoard or skate board suspension systems, but few have been adopted conunercially. For example, US 7044486 discloses a system where a U-shaped aperture is provided in a section of the board around the truck. This is likely to compromise the strength of the board, and is less preferable than making the board more flexible overall. US 2006/0061054 discloses a system where the wheel axles are connected to respective arms that pivot about a lateral horizontal axis towards the centre of the board, with shock absorbers provided between the axles and the board. The arrangement is likely to be unstable as it raises the board high above the wheels.

Statement of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suspension apparatus according to claim 1. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an all-terrain board or the like having the suspension system attached thereto.

Brief Description of the Drawings

wool There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the figures identified below. Figure 1 is a front perspective view from above of an all-terrain board suspension system according to an embodiment of the invention, attached to an all-terrain board.

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the suspension system of the embodiment, with the board tilted towards the right hand side of the figure.

Figure 3 is a view of the suspension system from below.

Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the suspension system from above.

Figure 5 is a top view of the suspension system.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the suspension system separate from the all-terrain board, and without wheels, in a variant of the embodiment.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a wishbone in the variant of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Suspension System [0008] References herein to the horizontal and the vertical direction are with reference to the orientation of the all-terrain board with wheels placed on a level surface. The longitudinal direction is defined as the direction along the length of the board, while the lateral direction is across the board, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The suspension system of the embodiment is designed to be attached to a conventional all-terrain board, which comprises a horizontal middle section 1 and end sections 2 angled upwardly by an angle, for example in the range 10-300, to the horizontal. Either end section 2 is normally provided with apertures for receiving bolts or screws for fastening a truck to the end section 2. Each end section 2 generally tapers in width from the middle section 1 towards the end of the board.

[0010] Separate suspension systems each according to an embodiment of the invention may be provided at both end sections 2, but for simplicity a suspension system attached to one end section 2 will be described below.

[0011] A top bracket 3 is positioned on an upper surface of the end section 2, a bottom bracket 4 is positioned under a lower surface of the end section 2, and the top bracket 3 and bottom bracket 4 are fixed together by bolts 5 passing through the apertures in the end section 2, so that the end section 2 is clamped between the top bracket 3 and the bottom bracket 4. A spacer may be provided between the top bracket 3 and the end section 2 and/or between the bottom bracket 4 and the end section 2, so as to adjust the separation of the top and bottom brackets 3, 4 and therefore the performance of the suspension system.

[0012] The bottom bracket 4 comprises a base plate 7 for attachment to the end section 2 and support portions 16 that extend away from the base plate 7, for supporting left and right pivoting axles 6a, 6b extending in the longitudinal direction and generally parallel to the base plate 7. Hence, the pivoting axles 6a, 6b are angled upwardly by approximately the same angle as the end section 2. Each pivoting axle 6a, 6b carries a corresponding wishbone 8a, 8b that pivots on the pivoting axle 6a, 61) and extends laterally, ending in a wheel axle 9a, 9b on which a corresponding wheel 10a, 10b may be mounted. The wheel 10a, 10b may be of a type conventionally used in all-terrain boards, e.g. of relatively large diameter and having an inflatable tyre 11a, 11b.

[0013] Each wishbone 8a, 8b caries a bottom suspension axle 12a, 12b extending generally parallel to the pivoting axles 6a, 6b and located in a lateral direction beyond the edge of the end section 2. Each wishbone 8a, 8b comprises a pair of arms spaced apart. in the longitudinal direction, to support the pivoting axle 6a, 6b and bottom suspension axle 12a, 12b; the arms join at or before the wheel axle 9a, 9b.

[0014] The top bracket 3 comprises a base plate 15 for attachment to the end section 2, and support portions 17 extending upwardly from the base plate 17, for supporting left and right top suspension axles 14a, 14b extending in the longitudinal direction and parallel to a base plate 15, so that the top suspension axles 14a, 14b are angled upwardly by approximately the same angle as the end section 2.

[0015] Each of a pair of suspension members 13a, 13b provides suspension to a corresponding one of the wishbones 8a, 8b. One end of the suspension member 13a, 13b is pivotally attached to the bottom suspension axle 12a, 12b, while the other end of the suspension member is pivotally attached to the top suspension axle 14a, 14b. This arrangement allows the suspension members 13a, 13b to be long, since they extend from below the end surface 2 to above the end surface. This in turn allows for a long degree of travel, thus providing better suspension performance on uneven terrain.

[0016] The suspension members 13a, 13b may comprise springs, such as coil springs, leaf springs, air springs or other suitable resilient means. The suspension members 13a, 13b may include an associated damping arrangement, if required. In this specific embodiment, the suspension members 13a, 13b comprise conventional suspension units designed for rear suspension of all-terrain bicycles, but with coil springs selected to provide the required degree of stiffness.

[0017] Other suspension means may be used with this embodiment; for example, push rods attached to the bottom suspension axles 12a, 12b may act on resilient means, such as springs or resilient material such as rubber, connected to the top bracket 3. The space between the support portions 17 of the top bracket 3 may house at least part of the suspension means.

[0018] The wishbones 8a, 8b are preferably able to pivot independently of each other, for example when the rider leans to one side so as to steer the board, as shown for example in Figure 2. Due to the angle of the end section 2, the compression of the suspension member 13a on one side causes the wheel 10a on that side to steer the board towards that side. Independent suspension provides better contact with the ground over uneven terrain.

However, if this is not required, the wishbones 8a, 8b could be connected together to pivot about a single pivoting axle. A single pivoting axle could also be used by both wishbones 8a, 8b pivoting independently.

[00191 Hence, the suspension system provides an alternative to the conventional truck, hut with an integrated suspension system having a large length of travel for absorbing shock over rough terrain.

[0020] In this embodiment, the wishbones 8a, 8b extend substantially parallel to the end section 2 when not loaded, and do not extend far below the underside of the middle section 1 of the board, so do not reduce the ground clearance of the board to any great extent.

Method of Construction [0021] The wishbones 8a, 8b may be made of box sections or other hollow structures, for strength and resistance to torsion. The box sections 8a, 8b may be made of steel, such as mild steel, or aluminium. The box sections may be welded together to give the desired shape. The pivoting axles 6a, 6b and/or the lower suspension axles 12a, 12b may pass through corresponding sleeves within the box sections so as to reduce localised stress. [0022] The top bracket 3 and bottom bracket 4 may each be cut from sheet material as a single piece, and bent into shape. The sheet material may be steel sheet, such as mild steel. Where mild steel is used, this may be powder coated to inhibit corrosion.

Environmental Benefits [0023] The suspension system described above can be retrofitted to existing all-terrain boards and therefore encourages re-use of existing materials. The suspension system may enable safer and more comfortable all-terrain boarding, thus encouraging healthy outdoor pursuits.

Alternative Embodiments [0024] Alternative embodiments may be envisaged, which nevertheless fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A suspension apparatus for an all-terrain board, comprising: a. a top bracket for attachment to an upper side of an end section of the hoard; b. a bottom bracket for attachment to an underside of the end section; c. first and second wheel-supporting members, each pivotally attached to the bottom bracket, extending to either side of the bottom bracket and including means for supporting a corresponding wheel; and d. first and second suspension members each connected between the top bracket and a corresponding one of the wheel-supporting members.
2. The suspension apparatus of claim 1, including means for clamping the end section between the bottom bracket and the top bracket.
3. The suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein the clamping means is arranged to secure the top bracket and bottom bracket together through the end section.
4. The suspension apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wheel-supporting members are independently pivotable about the bottom bracket.
5. The suspension apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second wheel-supporting members comprises a wishbone 6. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wheel-supporting members are of box section or other hollow construction.7. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the top bracket comprises a base plate for attachment to the end section, and one or more support portions extending from the base plate for supporting the first and second suspension members.8. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the bottom bracket comprises a base plate for attachment to the end section, and at least one axle for pivotal attachment of the first and second wheel-supporting members.9. An all-terrain board having the suspension system of any preceding claim attached to an end section thereof.10. The all-terrain board of claim 9, wherein the end section is angled upwardly relative to a middle section of the board.11. The all-terrain board of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the end section includes a plurality of apertures through which the top bracket and bottom bracket are attached together.12. A suspension system for an all-terrain board, substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows Claims 1. A suspension apparatus for an all-terrain board, comprising: a. a top bracket for attachment to an upper side of an end section of the board; b. a bottom bracket for attachment to an underside of the end section; c. first and second wheel-supporting members, each pivotally attached to the bottom bracket and pivotable independently from each other, extending to either side of the bottom bracket and including means for supporting a corresponding wheel; and d. first and second suspension members each connected between the top bracket and a corresponding one of the wheel-supporting members.2. The suspension apparatus of claim 1, including means for clamping the end section between the bottom bracket and the top bracket. cr)3. The suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein the clamping means is arranged to o secure the top bracket and bottom bracket together through the end section.T 15 4. The suspension apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second CO wheel-supporting members comprises a wishbone S. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wheel-supporting members are of box section or other hollow construction.
6. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the top bracket comprises a base plate for attachment to the end section, and one or more support portions extending from the base plate for supporting the first and second suspension members.
7. The suspension system of any preceding claim, wherein the bottom bracket comprises a base plate for attachment to the end section, and at least one axle for pivotal attachment of the first and second wheel-supporting members.
8. An all-terrain board having the suspension system of any preceding claim attached to an end section thereof
9. The all-terrain board of claim 8, wherein the end section is angled upwardly relative to a middle section of the board
10. The all-terrain board of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the end section includes a plurality of apertures through which the top bracket and bottom bracket are attached together.
11. The all-terrain board of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first and second suspension members each extend from the top bracket, above an upper surface of the board, to the corresponding one of the wheel-supporting members, below a lower surface of the board
12. A suspension system for an all-terrain board, substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.CO