Patent Application
20090250892
This invention generally relates to sport boards, which people can ride. More specifically, this invention relates to skateboards that people can ride on solid ground using a system of wheels and trucks attached to the bottom of the board.
Skateboards continue to gain and retain an increased popularity. Not surprisingly, patents covering various skateboards exist. These patents cover anywhere from the conventional skateboard as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,571 (Wen, 2001), to a “Low Profile Skateboard” as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,743 (Smisek, 1993) covering a skateboard with a low center of gravity and four wheels separately connected to the board, to U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,748 (Wimbush, 2005) covering only the board itself. Fancier skateboards as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,284 (Seifert, 2006), which discloses a skateboard with illumination capabilities exist as well. Also notable are sport boards that resemble and function similarly to traditional skateboards such as the lateral sliding roller board covered by U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,546 (Strand, 1999).
Again referring to the field of skateboards, previous inventions have measured lengths of between twelve (12) and thirty (30) inches and a height of three (3) inches. While boards have been built larger than this, proper barriers and supports have not been put in place to ensure a smooth enjoyable ride, nor the board's ability to withstand the test of time. The majority of previous sporting boards have been manufactured with features that allow the user to perform various tricks including jumps while riding the board. Whereas these boards are manufactured for functionality and practicality, the present invention also known as the Streetboard has been manufactured for stylish eye-catching riding while maintaining a modicum of practicality.
However, several problems are associated with prior skateboards. First, skateboards are fun to ride, but can require too much work to propel the rider any significant distances. Additionally, skateboards are generally intended for solo-riding, but the rider's experience may become more entertaining and efficient if multiple persons could simultaneous ride a single board.
Accordingly, there is a need for a sport board, or more specifically a skateboard, that can simultaneously be ridden by multiple persons and requires less energy to travel longer distances, and thus is much more enjoyable to the user(s).
The present invention provides a sport board that requires much less energy to travel longer distances because the Streetboard, a longer improved version of the skateboard, travels much farther with a user's push, thereby saving the user(s) much time and energy, and is therefore much more enjoyable to the user.
The present invention also can be ridden comfortably by two people, with one sitting and one standing. Alternatively, as many as three people could ride a Streetboard, especially if other modes of transportation are unavailable, or for entertainment.
Attached to the underside of the board with corresponding distances from the front and rear tips of the board are front trucks109 and rear trucks110. The front trucks109 and rear trucks110 are preferably located equidistant from the left perimeter111 and right perimeter112 of Streetboard100.
Risers that measure one (1) or two (2) inch(es) tall by two (2) inches wide by three (3) inches deep and have four (4) holes in them are placed and secured between trucks109, 110 and the bottom side102 of the Streetboard100. The trucks109, 110 are secured to Streetboard100 using 3″ or 2″ long coarse thread ¼″ carriage bolts113 with a lock washer and nut. Next, two pieces of ¾″ solid steel square stock are secured to the left perimeter111 and right perimeter112 of the bottom side102. The solid steel square stock114 may be of varying lengths but must be shorter than the distance between the closest points of trucks109, 110. Two holes must be drilled through the top and bottom of each piece of square stock114 with each hole being near the respective end of the square stock114 and the corresponding holes being drilled through the outer perimeter of Streetboard100. The square stock114 is secured to the Streetboard100 with two (2) 1″ carriage bolts and ¼″ nuts per square stock114, which serves as a side rail. These side rails are attached to snowboard via a fastener, including but not limited to rivets, screws, nuts, and bolts. The side rails help protect the snowboard from splintering or breaking when the user rides the Streetboard100 on any railing. Plastic end caps are placed in each open end of the square stock114 to minimize rusting and deterioration.
Skateboard wheels115 are attached to trucks109, 110 using lock nuts. Also, grip tape116 can be affixed to the top side101 between the diamond plating103 of upper front end104 and upper rear end105, which provides additional grip to the user's to minimize unwanted movement on the board or to prevent the user(s) from slipping off the Streetboard100. Additional components may be varied according to the end user(s)'s preferences. One may choose to apply various artistic designs by using, for example without limitation, spray paint, clear coating, adhesive materials, or other craftsman's materials on Streetboard100. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that different materials may be substituted in and out of the Streetboard100 in order to adjust the physical characteristics of the board as well.
The present invention has been described with reference to only one preferred embodiment thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is intended that any modifications to the present embodiment be included insofar as such modifications come with in the scope of the claims and any equivalents thereof.
