WO2001097930A2

WO2001097930A2 - A skateboard truck assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2001097930A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Fernard Adams
Original assignee: Lyons, Alan, Alexander; Lyons, Janice
Priority date: 2000-06-23
Filing date: 2001-06-22
Publication date: 2001-12-27
Also published as: AU2001267760A1; WO2001097930A3

Abstract

A skateboard truck assembly 10 comprising a mounting arrangement 12, an axle assembly 14 and two wheels 16. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate 20 an integrally formed mounting bracket 22. The mounting plate 20 has a flat mounting surface 26 that can be mounted to the underside of a board of a skateboard. The axle assembly 14 includes a single axle 42, an axle support arrangement to which opposite ends of the axle are connected, and an axle bracket that is formed integrally with the axle support arrangement. The axle bracket and the mounting bracket are connected to one another by a tension bolt. The axle bracket has a pivot pin that is rotatably received in a socket defined in the mounting bracket, which permits turning of the wheels. The wheels each define inwardly tapering outer radial tread surfaces that together define a recess formation in which a narrow structure can be received when performing a grinding manoeuvre with the skateboard.

Description

A SKATEBOARD TRUCK ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a skateboard truck assembly.

It relates particularly to a skateboard truck assembly for improving the stability of a skateboard during a grinding manoeuvre. The skateboard manoeuvre known as grinding involves the manipulation of a skateboard onto a grind surface which is provided by any elongate narrow structure such as a section of pipe, the edge of a street curb, a pool coping, an edge of a bench, etc.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided

a skateboard truck assembly comprising:

a mounting arrangement including a mounting plate for mounting the truck assembly to the underside of the board of a skateboard, and a mounting bracket that is attached to the mounting plate, the mounting bracket having an aperture for receiving a tension bolt;

an axle assembly including a single axle having two ends, an axle support arrangement for supporting the axle at its ends and an axle bracket having an aperture therethrough for receiving the tension bolt for connecting the axle bracket to the mounting bracket and for mounting the axle bracket and the mounting bracket to the skateboard; and

at least one wheel mounted on the axle, the wheel having a hub and bearings therein and an outer radial tread surface, the wheel defining a central outer radial recess formation in which an elongated narrow structure can be received for improving the stability of a skateboard having the wheel assembly mounted thereto, when a skateboard rider performs a grinding manouevre on said narrow structure, with the skateboard.

The axle bracket of the axle assembly may include a pivot pin and the mounting bracket may include a complementary socket in which the pivot pin is rotatably received so as to permit turning of the axle assembly relative to the mounting bracket.

The axle support arrangement may include a cross member and a pair of support arms that extend from the cross member, with opposite ends of the axle being connected to the support arms.

The mounting plate may include a mounting surface that can be mounted to the underside of the board of a skateboard, the mounting surface defining a mounting plane, with the support arms of the axle support arrangement extending operatively downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the mounting plane.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the skateboard wheel assembly may include a single wheel mounted on the axle.

The single wheel may have two ends, with the wheel having end regions disposed near said ends thereof, which have outer radial tread surfaces which are each of uniform diameter, and an intermediate region extending between said end regions which defines said recess formation, the intermediate region having a first portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from one end region to a central region of the wheel defined along the length of the wheel, and a second portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the other end region to said central region of the wheel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the skateboard truck assembly may include two wheels mounted on the axle with a gap not exceeding 3 mm between them, each wheel having an inner end and an outer end, a hub and bearings therein and outer radial tread surfaces, the wheels together defining said recess formation.

One of the wheels may have an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, and the other wheel may have an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, the tapered regions of the wheels, together defining said recess formation.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a skateboard including:

a board;

a tension bolt; and

a truck assembly comprising

a mounting arrangement including a mounting" plate for mounting the truck assembly to the underside of the board, and a mounting bracket that is attached to the mounting plate, the mounting bracket having an aperture for receiving a tension bolt;

an axle assembly including a single axle having two ends, an axle support arrangement for supporting the axle at its ends and an axle bracket having an aperture therethrough in which the tension bolt is received for connecting the axle bracket to the mounting bracket and for mounting the axle bracket and the mounting bracket to the board;

at least one wheel mounted on the axle, the wheel having a hub and bearings therein and an outer radial tread surface, the wheel defining a central outer radial recess formation in we which an elongated narrow structure can be received, for improving the stability of the skateboard, when a skateboard rider performs a grounding manouevre on said narrow structure with the skateboard.

The axle bracket of the axle assembly of the truck assembly, may include a pivot pin and the mounting bracket may include a complementary socket in which the pivot pin is rotatably received, so as to permit turning of the axle assembly relative to the mounting bracket.

The axle support arrangement of the truck assembly, may include a cross member and a pair of support arms that extend from the cross member, with opposite ends of the axle being connected to the support arms.

The mounting plate of the truck assembly, may include a mounting surface that is mounted to the underside of the board, the mounting surface defining a mounting plane, with the support arms of the axle support arrangement extending operatively downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the mounting plane.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the truck assembly may include a single wheel mounted on the axle.

The single wheel of the truck assembly, may have two ends, the wheel having end regions disposed near said ends thereof, which have outer radial tread surfaces that are each of uniform diameter, and an intermediate region extending between said end regions, which defines said recess formation, the intermediate region having a first portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from one end region to a central region of the wheel defined along the length of the wheel, and a second portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the other end region to said central region of the wheel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the skateboard may include two wheels mounted on the axle with a gap not exceeding 3 mm between them, each wheel having an inner end and an outer end, a hub and bearings therein and outer radial tread surfaces, the wheels together defining said recess formation.

One of the wheels may have an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region which has an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, and the other wheel may have an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region which has an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, the tapered regions of the wheels, together defining said recess formation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a skateboard truck assembly in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the axle assembly of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 , having two wheels mounted thereon;

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional end view of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an exploded schematic sectional three-dimensional view of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 , with the wheels thereof removed; Figure 5 shows a schematic three dimensional view from the underside, of a mounting arrangement for mounting the axle assembly to the underside of a skateboard;

Figure 6 shows a schematic top plan view of the mounting arrangement of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional side view of the mounting arrangement of Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a schematic bottom plan view of the mounting arrangement of Figure 5;

Figure 9 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the axle assembly of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 shows a schematic bottom plan view of the axle assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 shows a schematic side view of the axle assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a schematic top plan view of the axle assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 13 shows a schematic left end view of the axle assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 14 shows a schematic sectional end view of the axle assembly of Figure 9, sectioned along section line X1N-X1V of Figure 1 1 ;

Figure 15 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the wheel of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 16 shows a schematic side view of the wheel of Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows a schematic left end view fo the wheel of Figure 16;

Figure 18 shows a schematic right end view of the wheel of Figure 15; Figure 19 shows a schematic sectional side view of the wheel of Figure 15;

Figure 20 shows an enlarged schematic view of a half shell of the hub of the wheel illustrated in Figure 19;

Figure 21 shows a schematic side view of the axle of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 22 shows an end view of the axle of Figure 21 ;

Figure 23 shows a schematic side view of a bush of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 24 shows a schematic end view of the bush of Figure 23;

Figure 25 shows a schematic side view of a spacer of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 26 shows a schematic end view of the spacer of Figure 25;

Figure 27 shows a schematic partly sectional side view of another embodiment of a skateboard truck assembly in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 28 shows a schematic side view of the wheel of the skateboard truck assembly of Figure 27.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, a skateboard truck assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The skateboard truck assembly 10 comprises, broadly, a mounting arrangement designated generally by the reference numeral 12, an axle assembly designated generally by the reference numeral 14 and two wheels 16.

The mounting arrangement 12 includes a mounting plate 20 and a mounting bracket 22. The mounting plate and the mounting bracket are of integrally moulded aluminium. The mounting plate defines four mounting holes 24 in which screws (not shown) can be received for securing the mounting plate to the underside of the board of a skateboard. The mounting plate 20 has a flat mounting surface 26 that defines a mounting plane (shown by broken line "X" in Figure 3 of the drawings). The mounting bracket 22 defines a socket 28 having a rounded base, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The mounting plate 20 and the mounting bracket 22 together define a stepped aperture 30 for receiving a tension bolt 32 also known as a "king pin". More particularly, the tension bolt has a head 34 and a shank 36, with the stepped aperture 30 defining a head-receiving formation 38 and a shank-receiving formation 40 for receiving the head and shank of the tension bolt 32, respectively.

The axle assembly 14 includes a single axle 42 having two ends 44 and 46, an axle support arrangement designated generally by the reference numeral 48, for supporting the axle 42 at its ends, and an axle bracket 50.

The axle support arrangement 48 and the axle bracket 50 are of integrally moulded aluminium. The axle support arrangement 48 comprises an elongate cross member 52 and a pair of support arms 54.1 and 54.2 that extend from the cross member at opposite ends thereof. As such, opposite ends of the axle 42 are connected to the support arms. The ends of the axle 42 are threaded, the axle support arrangement 48 including nuts 43 which are screwed onto the threaded ends of the axle for connecting the axle to the support arms. The support arms 54.1 and 54.2 have socket formations 56.1 and 56.2 at free ends thereof. The socket formations 56.1 and 56.2 define apertures 58 therethrough in which the ends of the axle 42 are received.

The axle bracket 50 defines a slot 60 in which the shank 36 of the tension bolt 32, is received for connecting the axle bracket to the mounting bracket 12. The axle bracket 50 defines seat formations 62.1 and 62.2 that surround the slot and that are disposed at opposite sides thereof. The seat formations 62.1 and 62.2 are configured to receive rubber spacers 64.1 and 64.2, respectively. The spacers 64.1 and 64.2 define central apertures therethrough in which the shank 36 of the tension bolt 32 is received. Two steel washers are disposed at outer ends of the spacers 64.1 and 64.2. The axle bracket 50 is connected to the mounting bracket by means of the tension bolt 32 which passes through the stepped aperture 30 and is received in the slot 60 of the axle bracket, with the spacers and the washers being located on opposite sides of the axle bracket. A lower end region of the shank 36 of the tension bolt 32 is threaded and a nut 68 is screwed thereon. The spacers 64.1 and 64.2 are resiliently deformable and as such, permit relative movement between the mounting bracket 22 and the axle bracket 50 thereby allowing for turning of the skateboard by applying a downward force on one of the sides of the board. This arrangement is commonly used for skateboards and is thus not described in further detail hereinafter.

The axle bracket 50 includes a pivot pin 70 that has a rounded end and that is received in the socket 28 of the mounting bracket 22. The pivot pin 70 is located in the socket 28 in an arrangement which permits relative rotation of the mounting bracket and the axle bracket, thereby permitting turning of the axle assembly, in use. This arrangement is also commonly used with skateboards and is thus not described in any further detail hereinafter.

The support arms 54.1 and 54.2 define longitudinal axes "A" that extend operatively downwardly at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the mounting plane "X" of the mounting bracket.

The wheels 16 are rotatably mounted on the axle 42 adjacent one another. Each wheel 16 includes a bush 72 in which the axle 42 is rotatably received, a hub formation 74, an outer rubber shell 76 that is moulded around the hub formation 74, a pair ball-bearings 78 and a spacer 80.

Each wheel 16 has an inner end 82 and an outer end 84. The hub formation has a hollow and generally cylindrical configuration and comprises two aluminium hub halves (one hub half 86 being shown in Figure 20 of the drawings). The hub half 86 comprises a pair of spigot locating formations 88 and a pair of complementary socket formations 90. As such, the hub halves 86 are secured to one another via their complementary spigot and socket formations so as to form the hub formation. The hub formation 74 defines a pair of apertures 92 and 94 in which the bush 72 is received. The bearings 78 are located at opposite ends of the hub formation. As such, the other shell 76 of each wheel 16, defines a seat formation in which the outer races of the bearings 78 are seated. The spacers 80 are located at the inner end 82 of each wheel 16. More particularly, the spacers 80 are located within a recess defined in the outer shell 76, adjacent the bearings 78 that are disposed near the inner ends of the wheels.

The outer shell 76 of each wheel 16, has an outer end region 96 that defines an outer radial tread surface 98 of uniform diameter and a tapered region 100 having an outer radial tread surface 102 that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end 82 of the wheel. The wheels 16 are mounted adjacent one another on the axle 42 with a gap between them of approximately 1 mm. As such, the tapered regions 100 of the wheel 16, together define a recess formation in which a narrow structure such as a section of pipe, the edge of a street curb, pool coping, an edge of a bench, or the like, can be received when performing a driving manoeuvre with the skateboard.

With reference to Figures 27 and 28 of the drawings, another embodiment of a skateboard truck assembly in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 1 10. The skateboard truck assembly 1 10 is identical to the skateboard truck assembly 10, with the only difference being that the wheels 16 are replaced by a single wheel 1 16 that is rotatably mounted on the axle 42. Features of the skateboard truck assembly 1 10 that are the same and/or similar to those features of the skateboard truck assembly 10, are designated by the same and/or similar reference numerals.

The wheel 1 16 comprises two hollow cylindrical hub formations 74, two bushes 72 that are each received in a different hub formation and in which the axle 42 is rotatably received, a pair of ball-bearings 78 that are disposed near opposite ends of the wheel and an outer rubber shell 176 that is moulded around the hub formations 74 and that defines seat formations in which the outer races of the ball-bearings 78 are seated.

The wheel 1 16 has two ends 1 18 and 120. The outer shell 176 of the wheel 1 16, has two end regions 190 .1 and 190.2 that are each disposed near a different end of the wheel. The end regions 190 have outer radial tread surfaces 198 that are of uniform diameter. Further, the outer shell 176 defines an intermediate region designated generally by the reference numeral 122 which has a first tapered portion 200.1 and a second tapered portion 200.2. The first tapered portion has an outer radial tread surface 202.1 that tapers from the outer end region 190.1 toward a central region 124. The second tapered portion 200.2 has an outer radial tread surface 202.2 that tapers from the outer end region 190.2 to the central region 124. As such, the first and second tapered portions 200.1 and 200.2 define a recess formation in which a narrow structure can be received when a skateboard rider performs a grinding manoeuvre on the skateboard.

With conventional skateboard truck assemblies, having two wheels that are mounted on separate axles spaced relatively far apart from one another, grinding manoeuvres are performed on a mounting arrangement supporting the axles. This often results in the narrow structures on which grinding manoeuvres are performed, becoming jammed between the wheels and locking the wheels. The skateboard wheel assembly in accordance with the invention, permits grinding manoeuvres to be carried with the or each wheel being able to turn on the grinding surface. The recess formations defined by the wheel 16 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention or the wheel 1 16 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, thus serves as a guide for guiding the wheel(s) over the grinding surface, in use.

The invention extends to a skateboard comprising a board 95 having mounted thereto, a pair of wheel assemblies 10 or 1 10 as described hereinabove (see Figure 29). The wheel assemblies are mounted to the board in an arrangement wherein the support arms of the axle assemblies extend outwardly towards front and rear ends of the board.

The Applicant believes that the skateboard truck assembly in accordance with the invention, provides a truck assembly that will provide for more secure and stable grinding manoeuvres to be carried out.

Claims

CLAtMS:

1 . A skateboard truck assembly comprising:

2. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the axle bracket of the axle assembly includes a pivot pin and the mounting bracket includes a complementary socket in which the pivot pin is rotatably received so as to permit turning of the axle assembly relative to the mounting bracket.

3. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the axle support arrangement includes a cross member and a pair of support arms that extend from the cross member, with opposite ends of the axle being connected to the support arms.

4. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting plate includes a mounting surface that can be mounted to the underside of the board of a skateboard, the mounting surface defining a mounting plane, with the support arms of the axle support arrangement extending operatively downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the mounting plane.

5. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a single wheel mounted on the axle.

6. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the single wheel has two ends, the wheel having end regions disposed near said ends thereof, which have outer radial tread surfaces which are each of uniform diameter, and an intermediate region extending between said end regions which defines said recess formation, the intermediate region having a first portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from one end region to a central region of the wheel defined along the length of the wheel, and a second portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the other end region to said central region of the wheel.

A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, which includes two wheels mounted on the axle with a gap not exceeding 3 mm between them, each wheel having an inner end and an outer end, a hub and bearings therein and outer radial tread surfaces, the wheels together defining said recess formation.

8. A skateboard truck assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein one of the wheels has an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, and wherein the other wheel has an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, the tapered regions of the wheels, together defining said recess formation.

9. A skateboard including:

a board;

a tension bolt; and

a truck assembly comprising

a mounting arrangement including a mounting plate for mounting the truck assembly to the underside of the board, and a mounting bracket that is attached to the mounting plate, the mounting bracket having an aperture for receiving a tension bolt;

10. A skateboard as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the axle bracket of the axle assembly of the truck assembly, includes a pivot pin and the mounting bracket includes a complementary socket in which the pivot pin is rotatably received, so as to permit turning of the axle assembly relative to the mounting bracket.

1 1. A skateboard as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the axle support arrangement of the truck assembly, includes a cross member and a pair of support arms that extend from the cross member, with opposite ends of the axle being connected to the support arms.

12. A skateboard as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the mounting plate of the truck assembly, includes a mounting surface that is mounted to the underside of the board, the mounting surface defining a mounting plane, with the support arms of the axle support arrangement extending operatively downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the mounting plane.

13. A skateboard as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the truck assembly includes a single wheel mounted on the axle.

14. A skateboard as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the single wheel of the truck assembly, has two ends, the wheel having end regions disposed near said ends thereof, which have outer radial tread surfaces that are each of uniform diameter, and an intermediate region extending between said end regions, which defines said recess formation, the intermediate region having a first portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from one end region to a central region of the wheel defined along the length of the wheel, and a second portion having an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the other end region to said central region of the wheel.

15. A skateboard as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, which includes two wheels mounted on the axle with a gap not exceeding 3 mm between them, each wheel having an inner end and an outer end, a hub and bearings therein and outer radial tread surfaces, the wheels together defining said recess formation.

1 6. A skateboard as claimed in Claim 1 5, wherein one of the wheels has an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region which has an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, and wherein the other wheel has an outer end region having an outer radial tread surface of uniform diameter and a tapered region which has an outer radial tread surface that tapers from the outer end region to the inner end of the wheel, the tapered regions of the wheels, together defining said recess formation.

1 7. A new skateboard truck assembly substantially as described in the specification.

1 8. A skateboard truck assembly substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

1 9. A new skateboard substantially as described in the specification.

20. A skateboard substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.