1. Field Of The Inventions
The present inventions are directed to personal transportation devices. More particularly, the present inventions are directed to personal transportation devices that support a single foot of a user.
2. Description Of The Related Art
So-called “extreme sports” are rapidly gaining popularity as entertaining, exciting, and healthy alternatives to traditional modes of exercise and entertainment. For example, skateboarding contests are routinely held nationwide, and the sport's popularity has carried over into such popular media as video games and movies. Pro-skateboarders now have enough name recognition to warrant marketing and promotion contracts for various products. Similarly, in-line skating, street luge, and trick bike riding have all seen large increases in participation. Additionally, many “skate parks” have been built across the United States and include features specifically designed for skating-type sports.
In order to continue the growth present in this segment of sports and entertainment, new extreme sports must be developed or existing sports improved upon. Extreme sport participants are already seeking new methods and devices to challenge their skills and provide greater excitement. For instance, skateboarding has evolved from maneuvering on flat surfaces, to down hill racing, to half-pipes and ramps, to the purpose-built skate parks (noted above) that simulate a variety of challenges within a small space. As the challenges have evolved, so has the technology of the skateboards. Simple two axle, wheeled wooden planks have been replaced by computer designed composite boards rolling on high-precision plastic wheels. Newer skateboards even include suspensions to aid the rider.
Skateboarders, in-line skaters, and the like continue to encounter certain limitations because their equipment can only be used on certain types of surfaces. Once they have developed their skills, they are effectively limited to paved surfaces. For recreational users, this can be extremely limiting as local zoning laws often prohibit skateboarding, roller skating or other recreational activities on public property.
Currently available extreme sport and personal transportation devices limit acrobatic moves, hamper maneuverability and generally do not fully satisfy specific needs in personal transportation. These personal transportation devices have two separate platforms that support each foot of the rider. The personal transportation devices have a tandem wheel configuration that is similar to “inline skates.” Unlike inline skates, these personal transportation devices do not have a foot enclosure. Also, the rider's foot is placed approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tandem wheels in a position that is approximately ninety degrees from the foot position of an in-line skate.
Unlike in-line skates, which are propelled using the thrust of the leg in the direction of the wheels, the person transportation device is propelled using a swivel motion. Likewise, the rider of the personal transportation device is standing and does not have to be attached.
U.S. Publication No. 2006-0186617, as illustrated in
An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that it would be desirable to have a personal transportation device which provides both structural support for the rider and enhanced rider experience.
Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a personal transportation device can comprise a platform configured to receive a user's foot, the platform including at least one removable layer comprised of rubber, and a truck attached to the platform, the truck having two wheels, a support structure attached to the two wheels, and an undercarriage attached to the support structure. The undercarriage can have a generally V-shaped formation when viewed from one side, and can be connected to the platform with fasteners. The support structure can comprise two generally L-shaped arms forming a generally S-shaped structure, the ends of each L-shaped arm having an opening configured to receive axles for the wheels. The L-shaped arms can have a generally I-beam shaped cross-section along at least a portion of the arms, and the wheel axles can comprise bolts.
Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that removable and detachable platform layers can provide a rider with a variety of gripping surfaces for their feet, as well as a variety of ways to alter the aesthetic appearance of the device. For example, depending on the conditions outside, the rider may wish to have a surface with high frictional grip, such as rubber, whereas on a different day the rider may wish to have only a wooden platform surface.
Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a personal transportation device can comprise a platform configured to receive a user's foot, the platform including at least one removable layer, and a truck attached to the platform, the truck having at least one wheel, a support structure attached to the wheel, and an undercarriage attached to the support structure. The undercarriage can be connected to the platform, and the support structure can comprise arms, the ends of each arm having an opening configured to receive axles for the at least one wheel.
Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that personal transportation devices can be used by people of various sizes and weights. Adding more material to the device, particularly underneath the platform, to provide support for the users can lead to greater manufacturing cost. A lightweight, yet stable support structure underneath the platform would be advantageous.
Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a personal transportation device can comprise a platform configured to receive a user's foot, and a truck attached to the platform, the truck having at least one wheel, a support structure attached to the wheel, and an undercarriage attached to the support structure. The undercarriage can be connected to the platform via fasteners, and the support structure can comprise two generally L-shaped arms forming a generally S-shaped structure, the ends of each L-shaped arm having an opening configured to receive axles for the at least one wheel.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a personal transportation device can comprise a platform configured to receive a user's foot, a truck removably attached to the platform, the truck having two wheels, a support structure attached to the two wheels, and an undercarriage attached to the support structure. The undercarriage can have a generally V-shaped formation formed by upwardly extending arms which diverge away from one another and terminate at first and second ends, respectively, the first and second ends being connected to one another with a strut.
These and other features and advantages of the present embodiments will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments, in which:
An improved personal transportation device 12 (“PTD 12”) is disclosed herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are described in the context of a single, two-wheeled transportation device with a platform for one foot because the embodiments disclosed herein have particular utility in this context. However, the embodiments and inventions herein can also be applied to personal transportation devices with other numbers of wheels and/or platforms. Personal transportation devices, as disclosed herein, can include, but are not limited to, those devices used in a sporting or exercise activity, such as skates, skateboards, and the like.
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In some embodiments, the V-shaped formation can further include a strut portion 79 connecting the first and second ends. The strut portion 79 can provide added stability to the device. For example, without any strut, a resulting spreading force can result from a rider's weight and cause the ends of the V-shaped formation to move away from each other. When the platform 16 is attached, such a spreading force can be applied to the platform 16 itself, causing the first and second ends of the V-shaped formation to spread apart from one another and deform of the platform. With the strut portion 79, not all of the spreading force is applied to the platform 16 itself.
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The assembled PTD 12 of
Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/019,796, filed Jan. 8, 2008, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. This application shares inventorship with and is related to U.S. patent application number 11/386,822 filed on Mar. 23, 2006 (Publication No. US 2006-0186617), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/616,969, filed Jun. 13, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,613, granted Jun. 13, 2006). U.S. Publication No. 2006-0186617 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,613 are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61019796 | Jan 2008 | US |