SPARKING SKATEBOARD DECK RAILS

Abstract

Skateboard devices are configured to spark when slid along frictional surfaces. The devices include a rail or pair of rails that include one or more sparking elements integrated into the rail body. The sparking elements may be a linear set. Another device may be configured to wrap partially around a skateboard truck assembly. The device may include multiple rows of speaking elements. One or more rows of sparking elements may be engaged depending on how much tile is applied to a nose or tail of the skateboard.

Description

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to sporting goods accessories and more particularly, to sparking skateboard deck rails.

BACKGROUND

In the field of skateboarding, one of the accessories commonly added to the underside of decks, are rails. Rails are typically all plastic and protect the underside of the deck from damage. It is also common for skateboarders to jump their skateboards on to various surfaces so that the rails provide an element that helps the deck slide along the surface.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a skateboard accessory device is disclosed. The device includes a rail. A rail body has a length and a width and the length is greater in magnitude than the width. The rail body is configured for attachment to an underside of a skateboard deck. One or more sparking are elements integrated into the rail body. The one or more sparking elements include a surface exposed from the rail body and are disposed to make contact with a surface below the skateboard deck.

It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view illustrating a pair of skateboard rails infused with a plurality of sparking elements, in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the skateboard rails with infused sparking elements attached to an underside of a skateboard, consistent with embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional, bottom perspective view of the pair of skateboard rails of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional, bottom view of an isolated skateboard rail of FIG. 2, consistent with embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional, bottom and side perspective view of the pair of skateboard rails of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional rear, bottom perspective view of a sparking apparatus attached to a truck assembly of a skateboard according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged isolated bottom perspective view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 6 detached from the skateboard.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective side view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 7 integrated sparking elements.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective side view of the sparking apparatus of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.

Referring to the Figures in general, exemplary embodiments provide skateboard sparking devices that attach to a skateboard deck. Embodiments may include the devices as standalone elements while some embodiments include the devices as part of a skateboard system, i.e., attached to the skateboard.

FIGS. 1-5 show a pair of skateboard rails 100 configured to provide a sparking effect when slid along a frictional surface. The rails 100 may be generally elongated, for example, long rectangular rails. The rails 100 include a rail body 120 that has a long edge 127 whose length is greater in magnitude than a short edge or end's 125 width. For example, the rail body 120 may have an aspect ratio that has a length that is at least 2.5 times greater than the width. In one example, the rail body 120 may be approximately 15 inches long by 0.5 inches wide with a thickness of approximately 2 inches deep. The rail body 120 may be a flexible plastic that flexes with the skateboard deck 140.

One or more sparking elements 110 may be integrated or infused into the bottom surface of the rail body 120. The sparking elements 110 may be generally aligned linearly along the longitudinal axis of the rail body 120. In some embodiments, the rail body has pockets 115 that receive the sparking elements 110 (see FIG. 4). The pockets 115 may range between approximately 0.4 inches to 2 inches deep. The diameters of the pockets 115 may be approximately between 4 mm to 6 mm. Accordingly, the diameter of sparking elements 110 may be approximately 4 mm to 6 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent sparking elements 110 may be of different diameters which may provide differing sizes of sparks in the output. In some embodiments, the sparking elements 110 are press fit or inserted with some play to move in and out of the pockets 115. The pockets 115 and/or sparking elements 110 may be evenly spaced along the rail body 120. The sparking elements 110 may be cylinders or plugs. The material for sparking elements 110 may be for example, flint or mischmetal. While the sparking elements 110 are shown to be flush with the bottom surface of the rail body 120, in some embodiments, the sparking elements 110 have an end whose surface may protrude from the rail body 120 in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm. In some embodiments, the length of the sparking elements 110 may be limited so that the ends of the sparking elements 110 do not protrude beyond a length that may obstruct linear movement and catch on edges, which may be for example, no more than 6 mm beyond the exterior surface of the rail body 120.

The “bottom surface” of rails 100 should be understood to be the exterior surface that faces outward so that when the rail(s) 100 are mounted to an underside of a skateboard deck 140 (as shown in FIGS. 2-5), the “bottom surface” faces toward the ground when the skateboard 105 is in default use. The rails 100 may be coupled to the skateboard deck 140 by fasteners 130 which may be screws that are pierced through the rail body 120. In some embodiments, the rail body 120 has pre-drilled through holes 135 to receive the fasteners 130. As such, in some embodiments, the rails 100 may be removably replaced from the skateboard deck 140 and replaced with new rails 100 (for example, to replace worn down sparking elements 110). Fasteners 130 may be positioned between adjacent sparking elements 110. The depth of the holes 135 may be deeper than the pockets 115 so that when the fasteners 130 are positioned in the holes 135, the head of fasteners 130 are below the exterior surface of the rail body 120.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5 the rails 100 may be attached proximate the side right and left side edges of the skateboard deck 140 (i.e., not the nose or tail edges) and typically span along the lengthwise axis of the skateboard deck 140. A rail 100 may typically be mounted extending from proximately a front skateboard truck assembly 150 (and short of wheels 155), back to proximately the rear truck assembly 150. In some embodiments, the rails 100 are shorter than the distance between front “edges” of the front and back wheels 155. However, some embodiments may extend the length of the rails 100 to positions underneath the wheels 155 (or beyond).

In operation, as a skateboarder rides the skateboard 105 and applies one or both rails 100 to an underlying frictional surface (for example, landing a trick on a handrail, the edge of a curb, etc.). As may be appreciated, as the deck 140 bends under the weight of the user, the material of the rail bodies 120 may flex increasing exposure of one or more of the sparking elements 110 to the underlying surface. The friction causes the sparking element(s) 110 to emit sparks that fly out from the sides and back of the skateboard 105 causing an aesthetic effect on the trick pulled.

FIGS. 6-12 show a skateboard sparking device 200 (sometimes referred to simply as the “sparking device 200”) according to an embodiment. The sparking device 200 may be configured to couple to the front of a front truck assembly 150 or the rear of a rear truck assembly 150. For example, the sparking device 200 may include a shoe body 205 that comprises a plurality of flanges 245 that project from a rear wall 265. The flanges 245 (which may include left and right horizontal flanges and left and right vertical flanges) may be arranged to define a U-shaped opening on the shoe body 205. The opening may be configured to wrap partially around the stem or vertical post of the truck assembly 150. Some embodiments may include through holes 255 on one or more of the horizontal side flanges 245 to receive a screw or other fastener to secure the shoe body 205 to the skateboard deck 140.

The sparking device 200 may include one or more lower pockets 215 for receipt of sparking elements 220. The sparking elements 220 may be similar in material to the sparking elements 110. As shown, the sparking elements 220 may be generally larger than the sparking elements 110. for example, the diameter of the sparking elements 220 may range between 7 mm to 8 mm. The surface on which the pockets 215 are positioned may be slanted so that the sparking elements 220 in pockets 215 may be oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the underside of the skateboard deck 140. Some embodiments of the sparking device 200 may include one or more upper pockets 225 that are positioned on a surface of the shoe body 205 that faces outward and parallel to the underside of the skateboard deck 140. The depth of pockets 215 and/or pockets 225 may be shorter than the length of the sparking elements 220 so that the sparking elements 220 protrude at least 1 mm from the surfaces of the shoe body 205, and preferably in a range between 4 mm to 6 mm from the surfaces.

In operation, a skateboard incorporating the sparking device 200 may provide the user with additional tricks that emit sparking. As may be appreciated, the shoe body 205 having one row of sparking elements 220 on a slanted surface and another row of sparking elements on the surface parallel to the deck 140 provides the user with different options for creating sparking effects. When the user presses the nose or tail down, for example during a nose slide or a tail slide, one row and/or the other of sparking elements 220 may engage the underlying surface. The user may adjust how much sparking and which row of sparking elements 220 are engaged by adjusting the amount of tilt applied to the skateboard deck 140.

In some embodiments, sparking elements 110 and/or 220 may be removable from their respective pockets and replaced with refillable sparking elements 110 and/or 220. For example, when a sparking element 110 or 220 has been consumed below the surface of the device body, some embodiments may permit the plug or cylinder to be removed and the pocket 115, 215, or 225 to be refilled with a replacement plug or cylinder. In other embodiments, the whole rail 100 or sparking device 200 may need to be replaced to refresh the sparking capacity of the devices.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components and blocks may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A skateboard accessory device, comprising: a rail, including a rail body wherein: the rail body has a length and a width and the length is greater in magnitude than the width, andthe rail body is configured for attachment to an underside of a skateboard deck; andone or more sparking elements integrated into the rail body, wherein the one or more sparking elements include an end surface exposed from the rail body and are disposed to make contact with an external surface below the skateboard deck.

2. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements comprise a mischmetal.

3. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements comprise flint.

4. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, further comprising one or more pockets in the rail body configured to receive the one or more sparking elements.

5. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements protrude from the rail body.

6. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the rail body is rectangular.

7. The skateboard accessory device of claim 6, wherein the rail body has a length to width ratio of at least 2.5 to 1.

8. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements are 4 mm to 6 mm in diameter.

9. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements protrude at least 1 mm from an exterior surface of the rail body.

10. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements protrude no more than 4 mm from an exterior surface of the rail body.

11. The skateboard accessory device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sparking elements are removable from the rail body.