The present invention relates generally to skateboards and, more particularly, to a skateborad having a novel suspension system with improved shock absorbing components and exceptional steering control.
Skateboards have been very popular for a number of years and generally include an elongated board or platform having a set of wheels mounted at opposite ends. Normally, the rider of a skateboard stands on the platform with one foot and propels himself with the other while maintaining proper balance to avoid falling from the skateboard. A rider can guide the skateboard in different directions and perform a number of maneuvers by properly shifting body weight or foot placement on the board. Generally, a considerable amount of skill is needed to properly ride a skateboard as the rider must maintain proper balance while controlling the speed and direction of the board. Since skateboarders can achieve considerable speeds, there is an increased need for the rider to properly control and stop the board, when necessary, to avoid collisions with other skateboarders, vehicles or stationary structures. Additionally, skateboarders often ride over rough terrain or surfaces which can cause the transmission of considerable shock and vibration through the wheels, axles and trucks to the skateboarder. When skateboarders reach a level of superior skill, many intricate high speed maneuvers can be performed which require fine balance and timing. However, the transmission of heavy vibrations and shock to the skateboarder can seriously interfere with the skateboarder's ability to execute high speed maneuvers as well as diminish the overall enjoyment of the sport. Additionally, the transmission of unwanted vibrations and shock from the skateboard to the rider can affect the rider's ability to safely maneuver the skateboard.
Accordingly, there has been a need for an improved skateboard which provides a smoother ride than today's conventional skateboard, yet is light weight and durable enough to allow the rider to perform flip tricks as well as jumping maneuvers. Additionally, a smoother ride with enhanced safety is always desirous to the rider. Such a skateboard would be beneficial if it provides improved shock-absorbing functions, yet remains ultrastiff for superior handling. Moreover, the shock-absorbing system of the skateboard should be ultra-light so as not to diminish the rider's ability to perform intricate high-speed maneuvers. Preferably, the shock-absorbing components of the skateboard should be easily adjustable to compensate for differing body weights and should permit quick and easy fine tuning of its balance and steering functions in order to obtain optimum performance. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.
The present invention provides an improved skateboard assembly which provides an improved and easily changeable shock absorbing system while remaining ultrastiff for superior handling and performance. The skateboard assembly includes an elongated platform or board attached to a truck suspension system which by itself provides superior shock-absorbing capabilities, yet is extremely strong, durable and maintains high rigidity for superior handling. The truck suspension system includes a steering control system that can be easily fine-tuned for a particular rider. Additionally, the truck suspension system includes a suspension offering an adjustable shock-absorbing system that can be quickly and easily adjusted to provide increased or decreased shock stiffness for a given body weight or for a particular riding style. This shock-absorbing system also can be preloaded, if desired, to provide either increased or decreased shock stiffness to the skateboard.
The skateboard truck system of the present invention utilizes a pair of arms connected to the underside of the board. Each of the arms includes a wheel axle housing located near one end. Each arm can be pivotally connected at its other end to a housing mounted on the underside of the board. Materials which can be used to form the arms include urethane-based composites with long glass fibers that provide high strength, yet is light weight. Alternative materials include lightweight metals such as aluminum and magnesium. The arms and the material forming the arms enhance the dampening and shock-absorbing characteristics for the overall suspension system. In one aspect of the present invention, each arm has a substantially A-shape construction which provides added stability to the truck suspension system.
The truck suspension system includes a quick change shock-absorbing system coupled to the underside of the board. The shock-absorbing system provides improved shock absorbability and is easily changeable to compensate for the riders' weight and/or riding style. The shock-absorbing system is attached to each arm and the underside of the board. In one particular aspect of the present invention, the shock-absorbing system utilizes a novel shock insert system that allows the rider to quickly and easily change the shock absorbing characteristics needed for a particular skateboarder, without the need for tools. The shock insert system includes an outer shock member, made for example, from a closed cell foam material having a recess or multiple recesses for receiving a shock-absorbing insert. The shock-absorbing insert is made from a material having good shock-absorbing characteristics, such as urethane, or other rubber based materials and is designed to fit within a recess formed in the outer shock member to fine tune the shock-absorbing features of the skateboard. The shock-absorbing insert is easily interchangeable with other inserts to create different shock-absorbing characteristics for the skateboard.
The shock-absorbing system can be used in accordance with a quick release strap-down system made, for example, from hook and loop components, to provide a quick and easy means for changing the shock-absorbing components. This same strap-down system also can be used to apply a preload force to the shock-absorbing system. As a result, the rider can quickly and easily adjust the shock-absorbing characteristics of the board prior to use.
Each arm of the truck suspension system includes an axle housing for receiving a precision manufactured axle that fits with an elongated opening extending through the wheel axle housing. A steering control system fits within the elongated opening of the axle housing and includes a steering control dampener designed to fit in the axle housing to tune the steering characteristics of the skateboard for different weight categories. The steering dampener also can provide both shock absorbing capabilities and dampening to the skateboard, especially when turning. The extent of the dampening and shock absorbing characteristics can be controlled by adjusting the longitudinal compression on the steering control dampener and/or by changing the particular material used to create the dampener. Fine tuning of the steering control system can be performed by simply tightening or loosening a bolt of a specialized fastener system associated with the dampener to control the steering arc of the wheel axle. In this regard, the amount of the dampening and shock absorption applied by the steering control dampener to the wheel axle can be easily adjusted to obtain the desired steering characteristics for the skateboard.
The present invention is primarily directed to many novel improvements made to my earlier skateboard design which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,223, issued Feb. 24, 1987, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.
Turning now to the drawings, in which reference numerals represent like or corresponding elements in the drawings,
The truck suspension system 14 includes a pair of spaced transversely extending wheel axles 16 having bearing wheels 18 attached at the outer ends. Each wheel axle 16 is connected at the apex of a generally A-shaped arm 20 which forms part of the truck suspension system 14. Each of the generally A-shaped arms 20 includes an axle housing 22 in which the wheel axle 16 is secured. The axle housing 22 is generally located near the apex of the A-shaped arm 20. Each base 24 of the A-shaped arm 20 is pivotally connected to an arm housing 26 which is mounted at a generally central location to the underside 28 of the board 12. The wheel axle can be made from aluminum or other lightweight material which is rugged and durable. Also, it should be appreciated that although the truck suspension system 14 is shown with a pair of arms that are generally A-shaped, it is possible to use any one of a number of different shapes to create a pivotally-mounted suspension system. For example, the middle support forming the A-shape could be removed to create a triangular-type arm. However, the A-shaped structure provides superior strength to the truck suspension assembly as well as enhanced shock-absorbing capability.
Each arm can be made from a high performance composite material which helps to absorb vibrations while still being ultrastiff for superior handling. One such material is a plastic composite which is urethane based and includes long glass fibers to provide high strength. Such material is manufactured under the trademark Celstran® by Ticona Polymers. Other plastic composites which are lightweight and durable could be utilized to form the arms of the truck suspension system. It should be appreciated that metals, such as aluminum, magnesium, or other lightweight structural materials also could be utilized to form the arms of the truck suspension system. However, these alternative components may not possess as good shock-absorbing characteristics as the Celstran® material mentioned above. A molded urethane bumper 21 can be placed near the apex of the A-shaped arm to further protect against hard impacts and possible abrasion to the arm. A larger A-shaped arm cover can also be used (not shown).
The shock-absorbing system 30 is shown with an outer shock member 32 that is substantially square in shape with the shock-absorbing inserts 36 being shown as substantially cylindrical in shape. However, it should be appreciated that the outer shock-absorbing member 32 and the inner shock-absorbing insert 36 can take on any number of different sizes and shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although one recess 34 and a single shock-absorbing insert 36 is shown in this particular embodiment, it should also be appreciated that more than one recess can be formed in the outer shock member 32 to house multiple shock-absorbing inserts 36. Moreover, the particular materials utilized to form the outer shock member 32 and the shock-absorbing insert 36 can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Additionally, the dimensions of the outer shock member 32 and the insert 36 also can be varied as needed to achieve the desired dampening and shock-absorbing characteristics for the board.
The shock-absorbing system 30 is shown as it is attached to a shock cup 38 mounted near the apex of the A-shaped arm 20. The shock cup 38 can take on the particular shape of the outer shock member 32 in order to provide a tight snug fit once the outer shock member 32 is inserted into the shock cup 38. The shock cup 38 can be attached via a fastener, such a screw or bolt 50 into the A-shaped arm 20. The shock cup 38 can be made from high-strength polycarbonate or other similar material. The shock cup 38 will help to absorb some of the shock which may be imparted on the skateboard as it is being ridden.
A strap-down system 40, shown in greater detail in
Referring now to
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A steering control dampener 64 contacts the portion of the wheel axle positioned within the wheel housing. This steering control dampener 64 is designed to contact the axle 16 to restrict the steering range or pivot arc of the axle 16 in order to make it more precise and controllable. The steering control dampener 64 can be made from a dampening material such as polyurethane, synthetic or natural rubber, plastic or like components. In use, the dampener 64 provides both steering dampening and shock-absorbing capabilities to the truck suspension system 14. The characteristics of the dampener 64 can be varied by either selecting material having different dampening characteristics or by applying compression on the dampener. The application of compression on elements forming the dampener cause the material to bulge outward, thus to more tightly engage the surface of the axle and to further restrict the range of steering motion that the axle 16 can achieve within the axle housing.
Further details of the steering control system 60 are shown in the cross-sectional view of
The elongated opening 62 includes a section of bearing tape 70 which is adhesively affixed to the elongated opening 62 to provide a smooth surface for the wheel axle and the steering control dampener 64 as well. For example, this special bearing tape 70 can be made from materials designed for CNC machines. One suitable bearing tape is made by the Roulon Company. This special bearing tape reduces the amount of friction between the moving components and also helps to prevent friction from wearing down the surface of the axle housing 22. It should be appreciated that other bearing tapes or similar components can be utilized in conjunction with the axle housing to decrease the amount of friction between moving parts and to improve the steering characteristics of the system.
Referring now specifically to
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As mentioned above, the outer shock member 32 can be made from a closed cell material which provides substantial shock-absorbing capability to the truck suspension system. Such closed cell foam include EVA foam having a hardness of about 15-50 Shore A. Other suitable materials include urethane, neoprene, sanoprene and closed cell foams having a hardness from about 15 to 50 Shore A. Synthetic and natural rubber are alternate materials that can be used to manufacture the outer shock member 32. The shock-absorbing insert 36 can be made from urethanes or polyurethanes having a hardness from about 30 Shore A to 100 A. Other suitable materials for the insert 32 include thermal plastic elastomers and natural and synthetic rubber.
The present invention thus provides an improved truck suspension system having improved shock-absorbing components which provide a smoother, safer and more comfortable ride while providing enhanced steering controllability and precision. The use of a strap-down system in conjunction with the shock insert system provides a quick and easy system for interchanging shock-absorbing components in order to achieve the desired shock-absorbing function and desired “ride feel” for the rider.
Further modifications and improvements additionally made to the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except by the appended claims.