Patent Application
20140321150
The present disclosure relates to skateboard accessories, and more particularly to decorative lighting devices for skateboards.
Skateboarding is an extremely popular recreational activity among many age groups. Skateboards are customized by adding, among other things, stickers, grip tape, specialized trucks, and unique wheels These and other customizations have grown in popularity. Skateboarders are constantly on the lookout for new and distinctive accessories to add to their skateboards. Lighted skateboard decks and lighting kits are among the accessories that have emerged for skateboards. Despite the success of lighting kits for other wheeled vehicles, like automobile underglow kits, skateboard lighting accessories have not been widely adopted because of deficiencies in prior designs.
Existing lighted skateboards typically comprise a skateboard deck having one or more grooves, holes, or other voids machined into the surface of the deck. Often, the voids are positioned around the perimeter of the deck. One or more lights (e.g., an LED bulb) are screwed into the voids, creating a string of lights around the deck. Such lighted decks also typically include a power source and microcontroller which respectively power and control the light string. The power source and microcontroller may be contained in a housing attached to the underside of the deck via screws. In other designs, the housing is inserted into a hole cut into the middle portion of the deck.
Such lighted skateboards must be custom designed and bunt, driving up the cost of such designs, limiting their availability, and reducing a skateboarder's ability to truly customize their skateboard. Such designs require significant removal of deck material and insertion of multiple screws into the deck which may weaken the deck, causing it to break under what would be considered “normal” use conditions. Therefore, such designs have piqued the interest of skateboarders, but have not found widespread acceptance.
Also available are skateboard lighting kits are that generally include a light source attached via a fastener, an adhesive, or Velcro®, fasteners (available from Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H.) and a housing containing a power source and a microcontroller. Such kits are configured to create a decorative lighting effect for a skateboard comprising a deck and two trucks. The trucks attach to the underside of the deck via bolts. The housing may be attached to the skateboard by placing it between the deck and a truck, thereby increasing the distance between the deck and the truck and altering the performance characteristics of the skateboard.
In the alternative, the housing may attach to the skateboard via a mounting plate placed between the deck and the truck, thereby avoiding increasing the distance between the deck and the truck. The housing is attached to an outboard side of the mounting plate and is significantly thicker than the mounting plate. This positioning impedes the ability of the deck to pivot relative to the truck because the housing will collide with the truck or an attached wheel. Such collisions negatively affect the turning ability of the skateboard.
Given the foregoing, what is needed are devices which provide decorative lighting for skateboards wherein the device may be installed on the skateboard by a skateboarder without requiring drilling or other significant alteration of the skateboard, Additionally, devices having a small footprint are needed in order to provide decorative lighting without significantly altering the skateboard's performance. Devices are also needed which removably attach a light source, a power source, and a microcontroller to the skateboard without altering the turning performance, deck height, or other performance characteristics of the skateboard.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the subject matter to be claimed, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the subject matter to be claimed.
The present disclosure is directed to decorative skateboard lighting devices and other like recreational devices (e.g., scooters, casterboards, devices comprising a deck and one or more attached trucks, Ripstik boards, or the like) which may be installed on a skateboard without altering a deck of the skateboard, using existing connector bolts for the trucks. Devices in accordance with the present disclosure are adapted for use with a skateboard comprising a deck and two trucks having a plurality of wheels. The trucks attach to an underside of the deck and are configured to pivot relative to the deck, causing the skateboard to turn. Such devices provide decorative lighting for skateboards without impeding the turning ability of the skateboard or significantly increasing the distance between the deck and a truck.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a lighting device comprises a light source, a power source, and a microcontroller.
The microcontroller and the power source are contained in a housing. The housing is configured to provide protection from impacts and other environmental hazards and to mount to the underside of a deck. The housing comprises an extension, the extension being a thin, rigid member designed to mount in between the deck and a truck via insertion of skateboard connector bolts, thereby securing the housing to the skateboard. A portion of the housing containing the power source and the microcontroller is positioned along a centerline of the skateboard such that turning operation of the skateboard is not impeded. In some aspects of the present disclosure, attachment of the housing to the skateboard deck may be reinforced by interconnecting the deck and the housing using adhesive, Velcro fastener, a removable fastener, or the like.
In some aspects, the light source may be a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light source is attached to the underside of the deck using adhesive, Velcro fastener, a removable fastener, or the like, in some aspects, the light strip may be attached using a permanent adhesive. The light source provides decorative underbody lighting for the skateboard. Light may be emitted in one direction, creating a ray-like effect, or many different directions, creating a diffuse underglow effect. The light source is electrically connected to the power source and the microcontroller. The microcontroller may regulate the light source based on user inputs. In some aspects, the microcontroller may cause the light source to, for example, glow, flash, twinkle, strobe, alternate between functions, or the like. In some aspects the light source may emit multiple colors of light. User input may be received via one or more switches or via a remote control.
Further features and advantages of the devices and systems disclosed herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.
The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
The present disclosure is directed to decorative skateboard lighting devices and systems which may be installed on a skateboard without altering a deck of the skateboard.
Devices and systems in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure are adapted for use with a skateboard comprising a deck and two trucks having a plurality of wheels. The trucks attach to an underside of the deck and are configured to pivot relative to the deck, causing the skateboard to turn. Such devices provide decorative lighting for skateboards without impeding the turning ability of the skateboard or significantly increasing the distance between the deck and a truck.
Referring now to
Skateboard 100 comprises a deck 102 and two trucks 104 (labeled, for clarity, as trucks 104a,b in
Deck 102 comprises two sets of four channels (not shown in
Lighting device 108 comprises a light source 110 and a housing 112.
Light source 110 is configured to provide decorative lighting, thereby enhancing the overall appearance of skateboard 100. Light source 110, in one aspect of the present disclosure, may be a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs), Alternatively, light source 110 may be an OLED strip, EL wire, one or more fluorescent bulbs, one or more incandescent bulbs or some other source of light that will be apparent to those having skill in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein.
Light source 110 may be configured to emit light of one color or multiple colors, in an aspect, light source 110 comprises LEDs which can selectively emit any color in the visible spectrum. As detailed below, in such aspects, the skateboard user may select the color being emitted via a switch or remote. Light source 110 may be configured to emit a diffuse “pool” of light underneath skateboard 100, thereby creating an underglow effect. In another aspect, light source 110 may be configured to emit a static or moving beam of light, creating a ray-like effect.
Light source 110 may be attached to the underside of deck 102 via one or more fasteners (not shown in
Housing 112 is configured to house a power source and a microcontroller (not shown). The power source and the microcontroller facilitate operation of light source 110. In an aspect, housing 112 is a rigid separable casing designed to enclose the power source and the microcontroller. Housing 112 may be a rectangular, rigid, separable casing comprising a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion. The top housing portion is configured to contact the underside of deck 102.
Housing 112 may further comprise baseplate 114. Baseplate 114 extends from a front housing portion of housing 112 and comprises a top baseplate portion and a bottom baseplate portion. Top baseplate portion is flush with top housing portion, creating a surface which may contact the underside of deck 102. As shown in
Housing 112 attaches to skateboard 100 above truck 104 via the insertion of a set of four bolts 118 through corresponding forward channels 306 and rear channels 308.
Skateboards 100 may optionally comprise riser pads placed between deck 102 and truck 104, similar to the location of baseplate 114. The thickness of baseplate 114 is minimized in order to avoid alteration of the performance and other characteristics of skateboard 100. In an aspect, baseplate 114 thickness is approximately equal to the thickness of a riser pad.
Where one lighting device 108 is used with skateboard 100, baseplate 114 may be attached to truck 104a Truck 104b may attach to deck with the addition of a riser pad having a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of baseplate 114, thereby avoiding alteration of skateboard 100 performance and other characteristics compared to the same board comprising two riser pads and no lighting devices 108.
Light source 110 is electrically connected to the power source and microcontroller contained in housing 112 via conduit 116, thereby enabling control of light source 110. In an aspect, the power source is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium polymer battery, a lithium on battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or the like. In another aspect, the power source is one or more removable, standard format batteries such as AA or AAA batteries. The power source may comprise recharging elements (e.g., photovoltaic cells) or connectors (e.g., a female 12 volt plug connector),
The microcontroller regulates the power sent from the power source to light source 110. Regulation may be done based on user input (e.g., user activation of an on/off switch) or based on preprograms instructions contained within the microcontroller (e.g., flashing commands).
Referring now to
Referring now to
Housing 112 may further comprise indicator 302 and switch 304. Switch 304 may be actuated by a user in order to activate and deactivate lighting device 108. Switch 304 may be a toggle switch, a push button, a three way switch, or the like.
Indicator 302 may be a light configured to be active when lighting device 108 is turned on. In another aspect, indicator 302 may be configured to indicate other conditions of lighting device 108, such as a low battery condition or connectivity with a remote 902 (shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
As shown, light source 110 may be attached to a variety of portions of deck 102. Light source 110 may be centered on the underside of deck 102, attached in an offset position (as shown in, for example,
Referring now to
Lighting device 108 may comprise multiple light sources 110, each attached to deck 102 via fasteners such as adhesive.
Referring now to
One lighting device may be attached at truck 104a, placing housing 112a behind truck 104a. A second lighting device may be attached at truck 104b, placing housing 112b in front of truck 104b. In this manner, more power may be provided to light source 110 and independent control of light source 110 may be facilitated.
Referring now to
Lighting device 108 may be controlled via user input. User input may be received via switch 304 or remote 902. Remote 902 may communicate with the microcontroller via wireless means such as acoustic, RF Bluetooth, telephony, infrared, and other wireless means. In another aspect, remote 902 may communicate with the microcontroller via wired connection.
Referring now to
Computing functionality 1000 may comprise volatile and non-volatile memory, such as RAM 1002 and ROM 1004, as well as one or more processing devices 1006 (e.g., one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphical processing units (GPUs), and the like). Computing functionality 1000 also optionally comprises various media devices 1008, such as a hard disk module, an optical disk module, and so forth. Computing functionality 1000 may perform various operations identified above when the processing device(s) 1006 executes instructions that are maintained by memory (e.g., RAM 1002, ROM 1004, and the like).
More generally, instructions and other information may be stored on any computer readable medium 1010, including, but not limited to, static memory storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices. The term “computer readable medium” also encompasses plural storage devices. In all cases, computer readable medium 1010 represents some form of physical and tangible entity. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable. medium 1010 may comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.”
“Computer storage media” comprises volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media may be, for example, and not limitation, RAM 1002, ROM 1004, EEPROM, Flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.
“Communication media” typically comprise computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communication media may also comprise any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media comprises wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable medium.
Computing functionality 1000 may also comprise an input/output module 1012 for receiving various inputs (via input modules 1014), and for providing various outputs (via one or more output modules). One particular output mechanism may be a presentation module 1016 and an associated GUI 1018. Computing functionality 1000 may also include one or more network interfaces 1020 for exchanging data with other devices via one or more communication conduits 1022. In some aspects, one or more communication buses 1024 communicatively couple the above-described components together.
Communication conduit(s) 1022 may be implemented in any manner (e.g., by a local area network, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet), and the like, or any combination thereof). Communication conduit(s) 1022 may include any combination of hardwired links, wireless links, routers, gateway functionality, name servers, and the like, governed by any protocol or combination of protocols.
Alternatively, or in addition, any of the functions described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that may be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.
The terms “service,” “module” and “component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware or combinations thereof. In the case of a software implementation, the service, module or component represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on one or more processors. The program code may be stored in one or more computer readable memory devices, as described with reference to
While various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
In addition, it should be understood that the figures in the attachments, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionality and advantages of the present disclosure, are presented for example purposes only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures (e.g., on a scooter, a casterboard, a device comprising a deck and one or more attached trucks, a Ripstik® board available from Razor USA, LLC of Cerritos, Calif., a Freebord board available from Freebord Manufacturing, LLC of San Francisco, Calif., or the like). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, certain features from different aspects of the devices and systems of the present disclosure may be combined to form yet new aspects of the present disclosure.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of this technical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
