WO2019231433A1 - Single caster wheel skateboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A skateboard apparatus comprising a non-planar deck formed having a front swooped region and a distinct rear swooped region, the front swooped region configured so as to curve downwardly, and the rear swooped region configured so as to curve upwardly opposite the front swooped region, a front caster assembly operably installed at the front swooped region of the deck, and a rear truck assembly operably installed at the rear swooped region of the deck, whereby carving, self-propulsion movement is generated as the rider leans left or right and causes the front caster to turn left or right and the nose of the deck to twist and angle left or right.

Description

SINGLE CASTER WHEEL SKATEBOARD

BACKGROUND

[0001] The subject of this patent application relates generally to skateboards, and more particularly to skateboards configured with a single caster wheel along with a conventional two-wheel truck.

[0002] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patents and published patent applications cited or referred to in this application, to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0004] By way of background, skateboards of various sizes and shapes have been employed for decades, with the basic design or configuration comprising a board or deck made of wood or other such material having a top surface on which a rider would position one or both feet for riding and an opposite bottom surface on which there are installed opposite, generally downwardly projecting wheel and axle assemblies known as“trucks.” Each truck comprises a baseplate mounted to the deck and a pivotable“hanger” with opposed axles on which the wheels and bearings are rotatably installed, the hanger assembled onto the base plate so as to be selectively pivotable as by rubber bushings and a bolt or“kingpin.” The resulting skateboard has four wheels, two on a front truck and two on a rear truck, and is steerable effectively by a rider tilting his or her weight or leaning over the deck left or right to cause the trucks to tilt or pivot and thus shift the alignment of the wheels relative to the centerline of the deck and turn the skateboard left or right accordingly.

[0005] Various other skateboard or skateboard-like ride-on devices have been proposed over the years that comprise single axle, spinning caster wheels in whole or in part. A representative so-called“caster board” is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,195,259 to Gang as having opposite front and rear decks interconnected by a torsion or twist pipe and a single caster wheel pivotally installed on the bottom of each of the decks, the caster board being ridden with one foot on each deck, with a twisting of one deck relative to the other effectively steering and/or propelling the caster board. More recently, other forms of skateboards with one or more caster wheels have been proposed, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,075,006 to Smith on a“Three-Wheeled Skateboard System and Method” having a single caster wheel at one end and a traditional skateboard truck at the other, U.S. Patent No. 8,708,354 to Young directed to a“Caster Skateboard” wherein a single caster wheel is positioned at the front and opposed rear caster wheels are incorporated into a truck-like device toward the rear of the board, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2013/0175777 to Bermal on a“Skateboard Truck” design that effectively incorporates a caster wheel into each truck in addition to the conventional opposed truck wheels, resulting essentially in a six-wheeled skateboard.

[0006] What has been needed and heretofore unavailable is a self-propelling caster wheel skateboard having optimized design and performance. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

[0007] Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

[0008] The present invention solves the problems described above by providing a self- propelling single caster wheel skateboard. In at least one embodiment, the skateboard apparatus comprises a non-planar deck formed having a front swooped region and a distinct rear swooped region, the front swooped region configured so as to curve downwardly, and the rear swooped region configured so as to curve upwardly opposite the front swooped region, a front caster assembly operably installed at the front swooped region of the deck, and a rear truck assembly operably installed at the rear swooped region of the deck, whereby carving, self-propulsion movement is generated as the rider leans left or right and causes the front caster to turn left or right and the nose of the deck to twist and angle left or right.

[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary skateboard apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3A is a side view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 3B is a side view of an alternative exemplary skateboard apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4A is a bottom view of the exemplary skateboard apparatus of Fig. 1 in a first operational mode, in accordance with at least one embodiment; [0016] Figure 4B is a bottom view thereof in a second operational mode, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4C is a bottom view thereof in a third operational mode, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5A is a top perspective view thereof in use in the first operational mode illustrated in Fig. 4A, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5B is a top perspective view thereof in use in the second operational mode illustrated in Fig. 4B, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 5C is a top perspective view thereof in use in the third operational mode illustrated in Fig. 4C, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 6 is a further perspective view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 7 is a top view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 8 is a bottom view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 9 is a left side view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 10 is a right side view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 11 is a front view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

[0027] Figure 12 is a back view thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0028] The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. More generally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are schematic in nature and are not to be taken literally or to scale in terms of material configurations, sizes, thicknesses, and other attributes of an apparatus according to aspects of the present invention and its components or features unless specifically set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0030] While the inventive subject matter is susceptible of various modifications and alternative embodiments, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to any specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the inventive subject matter is to cover all modifications, alternative embodiments, and equivalents falling within the scope of the claims.

[0031] Turning now to Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown top and bottom perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a skateboard apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention. The apparatus 20 comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a deck 30 on which is installed a front caster assembly 50 and a rear truck assembly 80. More particularly, the deck 30 is a board-like structure having an upper surface 32 upon which a rider R (Figs. 5A-5C) would stand with one or both feet during use and an opposite lower surface 34 on which the front caster assembly 50 and the rear truck assembly 80 are operably mounted so as to extend somewhat away from the lower surface 34 and selectively place their respective wheels 66, 96 in contact with the ground G (Figs. 3A and 3B). The deck 30 may be formed and shaped in a virtually infinite variety, though as illustrated is generally elongate and defines a front nose region 40 and a rear tail region 42, each shaped to suit desired functional and aesthetic objectives, more about which is said below particularly in connection with Figs. 3A and 3B. As best seen in Fig. 2, opposite wheel cut-outs 44 may be formed in the underside surface 34 of the deck 30 both for aesthetics and for clearance of the rear truck wheels 96 during sharp turns and maneuvers, as will be best appreciated from the below discussion regarding the apparatus 20 in use with reference to Figs. 4A-4C and 5A-5C. In the embodiment shown, the caster assembly 50 is installed toward the front of the deck 30, and so is generally proximate the nose region 40, and the truck assembly 80 is installed toward the rear of the deck 30, and so is generally proximate the tail region 42. The deck 30 itself may be formed of any suitable material and with any suitable surface treatment now known or later developed, including but not limited to a lightwood or maple laminate material. The front caster assembly 50 generally comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a caster mount 52, a caster fork 58 installed swivelly on the caster mount 52 via a caster mount bolt 76 and caster mount nut 78 and related bearings (not shown), and a single caster wheel 66 rotationally installed within the caster fork 58, or between the opposed caster fork legs 64, employing a transverse caster axle 68 and again related bearings (not shown). A plurality of caster mount screws 70 secure the front caster assembly 50 onto the deck 30 as by passing through holes (not shown) in the deck 30 and threadably engaging either the caster mount 52 directly or caster mount nuts 72 adjacent to the caster mount body 54. Similarly, the rear truck assembly 80 generally comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a truck mount 82, a truck axle body 88 pivotally installed on the truck mount 82 as by seating a portion of the truck axle body 88 in a truck mount receiver 86 formed in the truck mount body 84 and attaching the truck axle body 88 to the truck mount body 84 via a truck axle body bolt 90 and related truck axle body nut 92 in conjunction with one or more rubber or other such bushings 94 (Figs. 3A and 3B) in a manner known in the art, and finally a pair of truck wheels 96 rotationally installed on opposite ends of the main transverse portion of the truck axle body 88 also in a manner known in the art, such as by employing related bearings (not shown). A plurality of truck mount screws 100 secure the rear truck assembly 80 onto the deck 30 as by passing through holes (not shown) in the deck 30 and threadably engaging either the truck mount 82 directly or truck mount nuts 102 adjacent to the truck mount body 84. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that both the front caster assembly 50 and the rear truck assembly 80 may be configured in a variety of ways, employing a variety of components and materials and installation and operation techniques, whether now known or later developed, beyond those shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such that those assemblies 50, 80 shown are to be understood as merely illustrative of features and aspects of the present invention and non-limiting. By way of further illustration and not limitation, the main components of the front and rear assemblies 50, 80, namely, the caster mount 52, caster fork 58, truck mount 82, and truck axle body 88 may be formed of cast or machined aluminum or other such material now known or later developed. A rubber, plastic or other such material front and/or rear spacer 74, 104 may be installed between the deck 30 and the respective caster and truck mounts 52, 82 to compensate for variation in the deck 30 and protect the deck 30 and/or to selectively space or orient the caster and truck mounts 52, 82 relative to the deck 30 as desired. The front caster wheel 66 and rear truck wheels 96 may be formed of any suitable hard rubber or plastic or other such material in a variety of shapes, elastomers, colors, etc., whether now known or later developed. In the exemplary embodiment, the wheels 66, 96 are formed of Shore 83A polyurethane, with the front caster wheel 66 having a nominal size or diameter of 80 mm and the rear truck wheels 96 having a nominal size or diameter of 65 mm, though again, a variety of wheel configurations in terms of size, material, and construction now known or later developed may be employed in the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

[0032] Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, there are shown side views of exemplary embodiments of a skateboard apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, Fig. 3A corresponding to the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 and Fig. 3B being an alternative exemplary embodiment that in virtually all respects is configured the same as that of Fig. 3A except that the deck 30 is relatively shorter for illustration. The skateboard apparatus 20 again can be seen as generally comprising a deck 30 on which is installed a front caster assembly 50 and a rear truck assembly 80. Most notably, the deck 30 as best seen in such side views has a double or inverted swoop configuration. That is, the deck 30 is formed having a front swooped region 36 and a distinct rear swooped region 38. The front swooped region 36 is characterized in that it is oriented or curves downwardly (toward the ground G when the apparatus 20 is positioned thereon), while the rear swooped region 38 is characterized in that it is oriented or curves upwardly (away from the ground G when the apparatus 20 is positioned thereon). The result is that the deck 30 is substantially non- planar. Mathematically or geometrically, each of the front and rear swooped regions 36, 38 defines by its profile (again, as viewed from the side) a Bezier curve, with the deck 30 then comprising or shaped having two such Bezier curves linked or connected in inverted fashion to thus form a composite Bezier curve sometimes referred to as a polybezier or sigmoid function or in common vernacular an S-curve, it being noted that by the connected curves inverting there is not only a definite connection point between the two distinct curves, but such point defines the point where tangents to the respective curves or swooped regions 36, 38, which thereby define the slope of the respective curve, reverse their angular transition, or where the tangents shift from one side of the curve to the other, hence the distinct double or inverted swoop configuration of the deck 30, which as a three- dimensional complex geometry is effectively a Bezier surface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that for such a complex curved surface, or even just for a Bezier curve looking at the profile of the deck 30 from the side, will have a different transition point between the inverted curves or swoops for the upper and lower surface 32, 34 and any intermediate location within the deck 30 cross-section. In practice, a deck 30 as thus configured has a number of mechanical advantages. The rear swooped region 38 that is curved or opens upwardly thus forms a natural pocket or area for the back foot, or right foot Z in the example, of the rider R (Figs. 5A-5C) substantially over the rear truck assembly 80, which is beneficial for weight distribution and stability as well as flexing or pivoting the truck axle body 88 on the truck mount 82 when carving or turning during use. The inverted front swooped region 36 that is curved generally downwardly thus naturally positions the nose region 40 of the deck 30 lower than the tail region 42, which is beneficial for aerodynamics as well as generally positioning the front foot, or here left foot Y, of the rider R (Figs. 5A-5C) and weight selectively over the front caster assembly 50 again for turning or carving. Notably, the downward curve of the front swooped region 36, and of the front end of the lower surface 34 of the deck 30, specifically, thus orients the deck 30 in the vicinity of the front caster assembly 50 as being slightly inclined relative to the ground G, thereby contributing to the canted orientation of the caster mount 52 and fork 58, beyond any such inclination that may be attributable to differing heights H1 , H2 of the respective front caster and rear truck assemblies 50, 80 or the geometry of the caster assembly 50 itself. Ultimately, the angular position A of the front caster assembly 50 is multiple-variable dependent, but is generally derived as the angle M of the caster mount 52 plus the angle S of the deck 30 in the vicinity of the caster mount 52 as illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B. In a bit more detail, the centerline X1 of the caster assembly 50 is the axis about which the caster fork 58 rotates on the caster mount 52, or is essentially drawn along the centerline or axis of the caster mount bolt 76 (Fig. 2), such that line X2 drawn perpendicular to centerline X1 defines the angle A of the caster assembly 50 to the ground G or essentially the plane of both the caster mount surface 56 and the substantially parallel fork surface 62 (Fig. 2) in the exemplary embodiment. As will be appreciated from the side views of Figs. 3A and 3B, angle A and the summation of angles M and S define alternate interior angles along the transversal defined by centerline X1 that intersects parallel lines representing the ground G and a line parallel to and offset from the ground G at the front top corner of the front caster mount 52, and the front spacer 74, specifically. In the exemplary embodiment, the angle A of the overall caster assembly 50 is nominally thirty degrees (30°) and the angle M of the caster mount 52 is nominally twenty-five degrees (25°), resulting in the angle S of the front swooped region 36 of the deck 30 at the lower surface 34 being on the order of five degrees (5°). In a further exemplary embodiment, the angle M of the caster mount 52 is precisely twenty-four degrees (24°). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such angular call-outs are merely illustrative of features and aspects of the present invention and non-limiting. Another angle of significance as having an impact on the ultimate angular position or orientation of the caster wheel 66 itself relative to the pivot axis or centerline X1 of the caster assembly 50 or here relative to the perpendicular reference line X2 just as for angle A is the angle F of the caster fork 58 as an angular measure between reference line X2 and a line X3 drawn from the intersection of lines X1 and X2, or a point along the pivot axis of the caster fork 58 effectively at the fork surface 62 (Fig. 2), to the center of the caster axle 68 about which the caster wheel 66 rotates. Such angle F thereby defines the degree to which the fork 58 is bent or curved relative to the caster pivot axis X1. Continuing with the exemplary embodiment, angle F is nominally fifty degrees (50°), though again it will be appreciated that a variety of other angles are possible according to aspects of the present invention. In a further exemplary embodiment, angle F of the caster fork 58 is precisely forty-eight degrees (48°). Those skilled in the art will again appreciate that all such angles are illustrative and that any such angular call-outs may vary, for example, by plus or minus five degrees (+/- 5°). Back to the contribution to the positioning or angular orientation then of the caster assembly 50, and effectively of the caster wheel 66, of not just the geometry of the caster mount 52 and the caster fork 58 but of the deck 30 as well due to the front swooped region 36, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the desired cant of the assembly 50 or angular displacement of the caster wheel 66 from the pivot axis X1 may be achieved with a relatively less bent or curved fork 58, improving stability and reliability while achieving the desired turning and carving performance, which front swooped region 36 additionally provides leverage from above for the rider R (Figs. 5A- 5C) to further assist in turning and carving maneuvers as noted above.

[0033] With continued reference to Figs. 3A and 3B, other representative dimensional information is depicted as well. First, as shown in Fig. 3A, an exemplary nominal thirty-six- inch (36 in.) skateboard apparatus 20 thus has a deck 30 that measures in overall length L approximately 92 cm from nose 40 to tail 42. A centerline length C from the effective center of the front caster assembly 50, or the approximate point along the deck 30 where the centerline axis X1 of the caster assembly 50 intersects the deck bottom surface 34, to the center of the rear truck wheels 96 measures in the exemplary embodiment approximately 62 cm (or 620 mm). The height H1 from the ground G to the front top corner of the front caster mount 52, or the front spacer 74, specifically, measures in the exemplary embodiment approximately 10 cm (or 100 mm), while the height H2 from the ground G to the back top corner of the rear truck mount 82, or the rear spacer 104, specifically, measures in the exemplary embodiment approximately 10.5 cm (or 105 mm). Similarly, with reference to the alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 3B, an exemplary nominal thirty- inch (30 in.) skateboard apparatus 20 thus has a deck 30 that measures in overall length L approximately 76 cm from nose 40 to tail 42. A centerline length C from the effective center of the front caster assembly 50, or the approximate point along the deck 30 where the centerline axis X1 of the caster assembly 50 intersects the deck bottom surface 34, to the center of the rear truck wheels 96 measures in the alternative exemplary embodiment approximately 47.5 cm (or 475 mm). The height H1 from the ground G to the front top corner of the front caster mount 52, or the front spacer 74, specifically, again measures approximately 10 cm (or 100 mm), and the height H2 from the ground G to the back top corner of the rear truck mount 82, or the rear spacer 104, specifically, again measures approximately 10.5 cm (or 105 mm). Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any angle or inclination of the nose portion 40 of the deck 30, or angle of the lower surface 34 of the deck 30 to the ground G in the vicinity of the front caster assembly 50 attributable to the difference in heights H1 and H2 or between the height of the front caster assembly 50 as compared with the rear truck assembly 80 is negligible (tan qi_ = 5 mm/620 mm; qi_ = 0.5°; tan Qs = 5 mm/475 mm; Qs = 0.6°). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the angle S of the nose portion 40 of approximately five degrees (5°) in the exemplary embodiment, rather than any slope of the deck 30 due to the rear truck assembly 80 being slightly taller than the front caster assembly 50, is primarily attributable to the double or inverted swoop shape of the deck 30, which again has a variety of functional or mechanical advantages in the operation of the skateboard apparatus 20. Continuing with the exemplary embodiments, the width of the deck 30 is approximately twenty to twenty-five centimeters (20-25 cm), with the tail portion 42 curving or extending above the main portion of the deck 30 by approximately five centimeters (5 cm). Also not shown, the length along line X3 from the intersection of lines X1 and X2 to the center of the caster axle 68 is in the exemplary embodiment of the front caster assembly 50 approximately 7 cm (or 70 mm). Once more, those skilled in the art will appreciate that all such dimensions are merely illustrative of features and aspects of the present invention and non-limiting.

[0034] Turning now to Figs. 4 and 5, there are shown bottom and perspective views of the exemplary skateboard apparatus 20 of Figs. 1 and 2 as in use, Figs. 4A and 5A illustrating the apparatus 20 in a first operational mode as when ridden going substantially straight (turning neither left nor right), Figs. 4B and 5B illustrating the apparatus 20 in a second operational mode as when turning or carving to the left, and Figs. 4C and 5C illustrating the apparatus 20 in a third operational mode as when turning or carving to the right. As a threshold matter, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a variety of further turning or carving configurations or operational modes of the apparatus 20 are possible according to aspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, including but not limited to sharper or more gradual turning or carving. Similarly, alternate stances on the apparatus 20 are possible, such that the left-foot-forward riding illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C is also to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting. In the first operational mode wherein the skateboard apparatus 20 is being ridden substantially straight, as again shown in Figs. 4A and 5A and also in the exemplary illustrations of Figs. 1-3, the front caster wheel 66 is substantially aligned with the rear truck wheels 96, or the axes of rotation of each wheel 66, 96 are substantially parallel. Accordingly, the front caster assembly 50 and the rear truck assembly 80 are in their“at rest” positions, with the caster fork 58 pivoted to a position on the caster mount 52 wherein the fork legs 64 are substantially aligned with the lengthwise axis of the deck 30, and with the truck axle body 88 substantially square with the deck 30, or with the truck axle body 88 not pivoted or twisted but instead substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the deck 30 and parallel to the lower surface 34 of the deck 30. A rider R may start off with the apparatus 20 in such a first operational mode or configuration, by either starting on an incline, however slight, or by giving the apparatus 20 a slight push with one foot on the ground G (Figs. 3A and 3B) and the other on the upper surface 32 of the deck 30. It will be appreciated that to maintain the apparatus 20 in such first operational mode, even briefly, the weight of the rider R is substantially centered over the deck 30, again as illustrated in Fig. 5A. Once the apparatus 20 is rolling, even slowly, the rider R may, with both feet Y, Z on the upper surface 32 of the deck 30, shift his weight left or right to turn or carve accordingly, as illustrated in Figs. 4B and 5B (left) and Figs. 4C and 5C (right). First, in the illustrated left turn of Figs. 4B and 5B, and again taking the illustrated riding position wherein the rider R is standing on the deck 30 with his left foot Y forward, or on the deck upper surface 32 closer to the nose region 40 and the caster assembly 50, and his right foot Z rearward, or on the deck upper surface 32 closer to the tail region 42 and the truck assembly 80, it will be appreciated that in such position shifting his weight or leaning to the left side of the deck 30 or to the side his back is to as by essentially distributing more of his weight to his heels causes the deck 30 to rotate or twist to the left. As such, as best seen in Fig. 4B, the caster assembly 50 is then“turned” to the left as well as by the caster fork 58 pivoting about the caster mount 52 clockwise as viewed from the bottom as shown. Further, as the nose region 40 of the deck 30 thus twists and angles to the left, the rear truck axle body 88 twists somewhat counterclockwise about the truck mount 82 as again viewed from the bottom, thus effectively“turning” the rear truck assembly 80 to the left as well. It will be appreciated that the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies 50, 80 thereby turns the skateboard apparatus 20 to the left. Similarly, in the illustrated right turn of Figs. 4C and 5C, and again taking the illustrated riding position wherein the rider R is standing on the deck 30 with his left foot Y forward, or on the deck upper surface 32 closer to the nose region 40 and the caster assembly 50, and his right foot Z rearward, or on the deck upper surface 32 closer to the tail region 42 and the truck assembly 80, it will be appreciated that in such position shifting his weight or leaning to the right side of the deck 30 or to the side his chest is to as by essentially distributing more of his weight to or over his toes causes the deck 30 to rotate or twist to the right. As such, as best seen in Fig. 4C, the caster assembly 50 is then“turned” to the right as by the caster fork 58 pivoting about the caster mount 52 counterclockwise as viewed from the bottom as shown. Further, as the nose region 40 of the deck 30 thus here twists and angles to the right, the rear truck axle body 88 twists somewhat clockwise about the truck mount 82 as again viewed from the bottom, thus effectively“turning” the rear truck assembly 80 to the right as well. It will be appreciated that the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies 50, 80 thereby turns the skateboard apparatus 20 alternately to the right. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that having a caster wheel assembly 50 in the front allows for relatively sharper turning or carving, with the nose region 40 of the deck 30 effectively being more drastically or quickly turned or shifted left or right as the apparatus 20 is ridden. More particularly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that as the nose region 40 is shifted left or right with each turn and the front caster assembly 50 pivoted back-and-forth accordingly, such movement by the front end of the apparatus 20 with the rear end, or truck assembly 80 specifically, following results in effective self-propulsion of the skateboard apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention with the front caster assembly 50 so pivoted effectively pulling the rest of the deck 30 and rear truck assembly 80 along, allowing such riding with both feet Y, Z on the deck 30 as by not requiring any foot pushing on the ground G (Figs. 3A and 3B), which it will be further appreciated, along with the more dramatic movement of the nose 40 of the deck 30 during use, advantageously serves to simulate riding a surfboard or the sport of surfing, even while on land. Those skilled in the art will again appreciate that a variety of other configurations of the skateboard apparatus 20 and the related method of riding are possible according to aspects of the present invention, such that the exemplary embodiments shown and described are to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting. [0035] Finally, referring briefly to Figs. 6-12, there are shown a perspective view and six orthographic views of the exemplary skateboard apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, here with the focus being on the deck 30 alone and its shape and configuration, with all other components shown in dashed lines for context or environment only.

[0036] Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:

[0037] 1. A skateboard apparatus comprising a non-planar deck formed having a front swooped region and a distinct rear swooped region, the front swooped region configured so as to curve downwardly, and the rear swooped region configured so as to curve upwardly opposite the front swooped region, a front caster assembly operably installed at the front swooped region of the deck, and a rear truck assembly operably installed at the rear swooped region of the deck.

[0038] 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein the deck comprises an upper surface on which a rider would stand during use and an opposite lower surface on which are installed the front caster assembly and the rear truck assembly oriented so as to extend away from the lower surface.

[0039] 3. The apparatus of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 wherein each of the front and rear swooped regions defines by its cross-section a bezier curve.

[0040] 4. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-3 wherein the deck defines a polybezier curve.

[0041] 5. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein the deck defines a bezier surface.

[0042] 6. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-5 wherein the front caster assembly comprises a caster wheel, the rear truck assembly comprises opposite truck wheels, and the caster wheel and truck wheels are configured to make selective rolling contact with a ground surface over which the apparatus is ridden during use, whereby the front swooped region curves toward the ground and the rear swooped region curves away from the ground.

[0043] 7. The apparatus of embodiment 6 wherein the lower surface at the front swooped region in the vicinity of the front caster assembly is at angle to the ground defining a deck angle.

[0044] 8. The apparatus of embodiment 6 or embodiment 7 wherein the front caster assembly is installed at an angle to the ground defining a caster angle.

[0045] 9. The apparatus of any of embodiments 6-8 wherein the front caster assembly further comprises a caster mount having a caster mount body defining a downwardly-facing caster mount surface at an angle to the lower surface of the deck defining a mount angle.

[0046] 10. The apparatus of embodiment 9 wherein the mount angle is less than the caster angle.

[0047] 11. The apparatus of embodiment 9 or embodiment 10 wherein the caster angle is substantially equal to the mount angle plus the deck angle.

[0048] 12. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-11 wherein a front spacer is installed between the caster mount and the lower surface of the deck.

[0049] 13. The apparatus of embodiment 12 wherein the front spacer is non-tapered.

[0050] 14. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-13 wherein the caster assembly further comprises a caster fork swivelly installed on the caster mount, the caster fork comprising a fork body from which extend offset fork legs between which the caster wheel is rotatably installed about a caster axle.

[0051] 15. The apparatus of embodiment 14 wherein the caster fork is swivelly installed on the caster mount via a caster mount bolt and threadably engaged caster mount nut. [0052] 16. The apparatus of embodiment 14 or embodiment 15 wherein the fork body defines an upwardly-facing fork surface that is substantially offset from and parallel to the caster mount surface, the fork body thus being mounted effectively at the mount angle.

[0053] 17. The apparatus of embodiment 16 wherein a centerline of the front caster assembly is defined as the axis about which the caster fork rotates on the caster mount, such that both the caster mount surface and the substantially parallel fork surface are substantially perpendicular to the centerline.

[0054] 18. The apparatus of any of embodiments 14-17 wherein the fork legs are substantially curved rearwardly so as to further offset the caster wheel relative to the caster mount.

[0055] 19. The apparatus of any of embodiments 14-18 wherein the fork legs are at an angle relative to the fork surface defining a fork angle.

[0056] 20. The apparatus of embodiment 19 wherein the fork angle is defined as the angular displacement of a line drawn from the intersection of the front caster assembly centerline through the center of the caster axle relative to the fork surface.

[0057] 21. The apparatus of embodiment 19 or embodiment 20 wherein the fork angle is greater than the caster angle.

[0058] 22. The apparatus of any of embodiments 19-21 wherein the fork angle is approximately fifty degrees (50°).

[0059] 23. The apparatus of any of embodiments 19-22 wherein the fork angle is precisely forty-eight degrees (48°).

[0060] 24. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-23 wherein the caster angle is approximately thirty degrees (30°). [0061] 25. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-24 wherein the mount angle is approximately twenty-five degrees (25°).

[0062] 26. The apparatus of any of embodiments 19-25 wherein the mount angle is precisely twenty-four degrees (24°).

[0063] 27. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-26 wherein the front caster assembly is installed on the deck via one or more caster mount screws.

[0064] 28. The apparatus of embodiment 27 wherein one or more caster mount nuts threadably engage the one or more caster mount screws adjacent to the caster mount body.

[0065] 29. The apparatus of any of embodiments 9-28 wherein a first height measured from the ground to the lower surface adjacent to the caster mount is less than a second height measured from the ground to the lower surface adjacent to a truck mount of the rear truck assembly.

[0066] 30. The apparatus of embodiment 29 wherein the first height is approximately ten centimeters (10 cm).

[0067] 31. The apparatus of embodiment 29 or embodiment 30 wherein the second height is approximately ten-and-a-half centimeters (10.5 cm).

[0068] 32. The apparatus of any of embodiments 7-31 wherein the deck angle is approximately five degrees (5°).

[0069] 33. The apparatus of any of embodiments 2-32 wherein opposite wheel cut-outs are formed in the lower surface of the deck adjacent to and offset from the rear truck assembly.

[0070] 34. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-33 wherein a nose region of the deck associated with the front swooped region in the vicinity of the front caster assembly is lower than a tail region of the deck associated with the rear swooped region in the vicinity of the rear truck assembly.

[0071] 35. The apparatus of embodiment 34 wherein an overall length of the deck from the nose region to the tail region is approximately ninety-two centimeters (92 cm).

[0072] 36. The apparatus of embodiment 34 wherein an overall length of the deck from the nose region to the tail region is approximately sixty-two centimeters (62 cm).

[0073] 37. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-36 wherein the rear truck assembly comprises a truck mount having a truck mount body and further having a truck axle body pivotally installed on the truck mount body.

[0074] 38. The apparatus of embodiment 37 wherein the truck axle body is pivotally installed on the truck mount body via a truck axle body bolt and threadably engaged truck axle body nut in cooperation with an operably installed at least one bushing.

[0075] 39. The apparatus of embodiment 37 or embodiment 38 wherein a portion of the truck axle body is received within a truck mount receiver formed in the truck mount body.

[0076] 40. The apparatus of any of embodiments 37-39 wherein the rear truck assembly is installed on the deck via one or more truck mount screws.

[0077] 41. The apparatus of embodiment 40 wherein one or more truck mount nuts threadably engage the one or more truck mount screws adjacent to the truck mount body.

[0078] 42. The apparatus of any of embodiments 37-41 wherein a rear spacer is installed between the truck mount and the lower surface of the deck.

[0079] 43. A method of employing a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-42, the method comprising the steps of positioning a front foot of a rider on the upper surface of the deck at the front swooped region so as to place the forward foot and thus a portion of the weight of the rider selectively over the front caster assembly, positioning a rear foot of the rider on the upper surface of the deck at the rear swooped region so as to place the rear foot and thus a portion of the weight of the rider selectively over the rear truck assembly, and selectively leaning the weight of the rider left or right so as to cause the skateboard apparatus to carve as by turning the caster fork and caster wheel left or right and pivoting the truck axle body on the truck mount such that the truck wheels follow the caster wheel and further steer the skateboard apparatus while providing stability when carving.

[0080] 44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially centered over the deck defines a default riding position and first operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are substantially aligned with the lengthwise axis of the deck and having the truck axle body substantially square with the deck or with the truck axle body substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the deck and parallel to the lower surface of the deck.

[0081] 45. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially shifted over the left side of the deck or to the left of the lengthwise axis of the deck defines a left turn riding position and second operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are to the left of the lengthwise axis of the deck or rotated clockwise relative to the first operational mode as viewed from the bottom of the skateboard apparatus toward the lower surface of the deck and further having the rear truck axle body twisted somewhat counterclockwise about the truck mount as viewed from the bottom, whereby the nose region of the deck twists and angles to the left and the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies thereby turns the skateboard apparatus to the left in the second operational mode.

[0082] 46. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially shifted over the right side of the deck or to the right of the lengthwise axis of the deck defines a right turn riding position and third operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are to the right of the lengthwise axis of the deck or rotated counterclockwise relative to the first operational mode as viewed from the bottom of the skateboard apparatus toward the lower surface of the deck and further having the rear truck axle body twisted somewhat clockwise about the truck mount as viewed from the bottom, whereby the nose region of the deck twists and angles to the right and the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies thereby turns the skateboard apparatus to the right in the third operational mode.

[0083] 47. The method of any of embodiments 43-46, further comprising the step of intermittently leaning the weight of the rider left and right so as to cause the skateboard apparatus to carve left and right or back and forth and so generate self-propulsion as the tail region of the skateboard apparatus and the truck assembly specifically follows the nose region and is effectively pulled along by the alternating movement of the front caster assembly.

[0084] 48. A kit comprising a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-42.

[0085] 49. The kit of embodiment 48 further comprising instructional material.

[0086] 50. The kit of embodiment 49 wherein the instructional material provides instructions on how to perform the method as defined in any one of embodiments 43-47.

[0087] 51. Use of a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-42 to produce self-propelling, carving movement when ridden with two feet.

[0088] 52. The use of embodiment 51 , wherein the use comprises a method as defined in any one of embodiments 43-47.

[0089] In closing, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a self-propelling single caster wheel skateboard apparatus is disclosed and configured for optimized design and performance. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations beyond those shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiments, but instead may take numerous forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the particular geometries and materials of construction disclosed, but may instead entail other functionally comparable structures or materials, now known or later developed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0090] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0091] Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0092] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the inventive subject matter are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the inventive subject matter may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0093] Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. The recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

[0094] Use of the terms“may” or“can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of“may not" or“cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter.

[0095] The terms“a,”“an,”“the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators - such as“first,”“second,”“third,” etc. - for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0096] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the inventive subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventive subject matter otherwise claimed. No language in the application should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0097] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms“comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0098] While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A skateboard apparatus comprising:

a non-planar deck formed having a front swooped region and a distinct rear swooped region, the front swooped region configured so as to curve downwardly, and the rear swooped region configured so as to curve upwardly opposite the front swooped region; a front caster assembly operably installed at the front swooped region of the deck; and a rear truck assembly operably installed at the rear swooped region of the deck.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deck comprises an upper surface on which a rider would stand during use and an opposite lower surface on which are installed the front caster assembly and the rear truck assembly oriented so as to extend away from the lower surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the front and rear swooped regions defines by its cross-section a bezier curve.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the deck defines a polybezier curve.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the deck defines a bezier surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the front caster assembly comprises a caster wheel;

the rear truck assembly comprises opposite truck wheels; and

the caster wheel and truck wheels are configured to make selective rolling contact with a ground surface over which the apparatus is ridden during use, whereby the front swooped region curves toward the ground and the rear swooped region curves away from the ground.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the lower surface at the front swooped region in the vicinity of the front caster assembly is at angle to the ground defining a deck angle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the front caster assembly is installed at an angle to the ground defining a caster angle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the front caster assembly further comprises a caster mount having a caster mount body defining a downwardly-facing caster mount surface at an angle to the lower surface of the deck defining a mount angle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mount angle is less than the caster angle.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the caster angle is substantially equal to the mount angle plus the deck angle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a front spacer is installed between the caster mount and the lower surface of the deck.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the front spacer is non-tapered.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the caster assembly further comprises a caster fork swivelly installed on the caster mount, the caster fork comprising a fork body from which extend offset fork legs between which the caster wheel is rotatably installed about a caster axle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the caster fork is swivelly installed on the caster mount via a caster mount bolt and threadably engaged caster mount nut.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the fork body defines an upwardly-facing fork surface that is substantially offset from and parallel to the caster mount surface, the fork body thus being mounted effectively at the mount angle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a centerline of the front caster assembly is defined as the axis about which the caster fork rotates on the caster mount, such that both the caster mount surface and the substantially parallel fork surface are substantially perpendicular to the centerline.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fork legs are substantially curved rearwardly so as to further offset the caster wheel relative to the caster mount.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the fork legs are at an angle relative to the fork surface defining a fork angle.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fork angle is defined as the angular displacement of a line drawn from the intersection of the front caster assembly centerline through the center of the caster axle relative to the fork surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fork angle is greater than the caster angle.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fork angle is approximately fifty degrees (50°).

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the fork angle is precisely forty-eight degrees (48°).

24. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the caster angle is approximately thirty degrees (30°).

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the mount angle is approximately twenty-five degrees (25°).

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the mount angle is precisely twenty-four degrees (24°).

27. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the front caster assembly is installed on the deck via one or more caster mount screws.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein one or more caster mount nuts threadably engage the one or more caster mount screws adjacent to the caster mount body.

29. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a first height measured from the ground to the lower surface adjacent to the caster mount is less than a second height measured from the ground to the lower surface adjacent to a truck mount of the rear truck assembly.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the first height is approximately ten centimeters (10 cm).

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the second height is approximately ten-and-a-half centimeters (10.5 cm).

32. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the deck angle is approximately five degrees (5°).

33. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein opposite wheel cut-outs are formed in the lower surface of the deck adjacent to and offset from the rear truck assembly.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a nose region of the deck associated with the front swooped region in the vicinity of the front caster assembly is lower than a tail region of the deck associated with the rear swooped region in the vicinity of the rear truck assembly.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein an overall length of the deck from the nose region to the tail region is approximately ninety-two centimeters (92 cm).

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein an overall length of the deck from the nose region to the tail region is approximately sixty-two centimeters (62 cm).

37. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear truck assembly comprises a truck mount having a truck mount body and further having a truck axle body pivotally installed on the truck mount body.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the truck axle body is pivotally installed on the truck mount body via a truck axle body bolt and threadably engaged truck axle body nut in cooperation with an operably installed at least one bushing.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein a portion of the truck axle body is received within a truck mount receiver formed in the truck mount body.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the rear truck assembly is installed on the deck via one or more truck mount screws.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein one or more truck mount nuts threadably engage the one or more truck mount screws adjacent to the truck mount body.

42. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein a rear spacer is installed between the truck mount and the lower surface of the deck.

43. A method of employing a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-42, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a front foot of a rider on the upper surface of the deck at the front swooped region so as to place the forward foot and thus a portion of the weight of the rider selectively over the front caster assembly;

positioning a rear foot of the rider on the upper surface of the deck at the rear swooped region so as to place the rear foot and thus a portion of the weight of the rider selectively over the rear truck assembly; and

selectively leaning the weight of the rider left or right so as to cause the skateboard apparatus to carve as by turning the caster fork and caster wheel left or right and pivoting the truck axle body on the truck mount such that the truck wheels follow the caster wheel and further steer the skateboard apparatus while providing stability when carving.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially centered over the deck defines a default riding position and first operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are substantially aligned with the lengthwise axis of the deck and having the truck axle body substantially square with the deck or with the truck axle body substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the deck and parallel to the lower surface of the deck.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially shifted over the left side of the deck or to the left of the lengthwise axis of the deck defines a left turn riding position and second operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are to the left of the lengthwise axis of the deck or rotated clockwise relative to the first operational mode as viewed from the bottom of the skateboard apparatus toward the lower surface of the deck and further having the rear truck axle body twisted somewhat counterclockwise about the truck mount as viewed from the bottom, whereby the nose region of the deck twists and angles to the left and the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies thereby turns the skateboard apparatus to the left in the second operational mode.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the weight of the rider substantially shifted over the right side of the deck or to the right of the lengthwise axis of the deck defines a right turn riding position and third operational mode of the skateboard apparatus having the caster fork pivoted to a position on the caster mount wherein the fork legs and thus the caster wheel are to the right of the lengthwise axis of the deck or rotated counterclockwise relative to the first operational mode as viewed from the bottom of the skateboard apparatus toward the lower surface of the deck and further having the rear truck axle body twisted somewhat clockwise about the truck mount as viewed from the bottom, whereby the nose region of the deck twists and angles to the right and the combined effect of the turning of the front caster and rear truck assemblies thereby turns the skateboard apparatus to the right in the third operational mode.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of intermittently leaning the weight of the rider left and right so as to cause the skateboard apparatus to carve left and right or back and forth and so generate self-propulsion as the tail region of the skateboard apparatus and the truck assembly specifically follows the nose region and is effectively pulled along by the alternating movement of the front caster assembly.

48. A kit comprising a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-42.

49. The kit of claim 48 further comprising instructional material.

50. The kit of claim 49 wherein the instructional material provides instructions on how to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 43-47.

51. Use of a skateboard apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1-42 to produce self- propelling, carving movement when ridden with two feet.

52. The use of claim 51 , wherein the use comprises a method as defined in any one of claims 43-47.