Patent ID: 6443471
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A63C

Abstract:
A skateboard truck assembly configured to be secured to the underside of a skateboard platform, the truck assembly comprising:a base plate configured to be secured to the underside of the skateboard platform and further configured to have an underside that defines a pivot recess and a slider-plate recess; a kingpin projecting downwardly from the underside of the base plate, from a location spaced from the pivot recess, wherein the base plate further is configured to have a substantially vertical facing surface adjacent to the pivot recess, on the side of the pivot recess opposite the kingpin, wherein the kingpin is oriented at a predetermined angle toward the pivot recess, and wherein the kingpin and the pivot recess are configured to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the skateboard platform; an axle/wheel assembly including an axle, first and second wheels mounted for rotation at opposite ends of the axle, a ring-shaped hanger projecting from a mid portion of the axle and defining an opening sized to be larger than the cross-section of the kingpin, and a pivot stem projecting from a mid portion of the axle and configured to be seated in the pivot recess defined in the underside of the base plate, wherein the axle/wheel assembly is mounted ton he underside of the base plate with the axle configured to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the skateboard platform, with the pivot stem seated in the pivot recess, and with the hanger disposed around the kingpin, wherein an annular gap is defined between the hanger and the kingpin; a bushing assembly disposed on the kingpin, adjacent to the ring-shaped hanger, wherein the bushing assembly includes an annular flange sized and configured to fit into the annular gap to inhibit both axial and lateral movement of he hanger relative to the kingpin, while permitting limited pivoting of the hanger about the axis of the kingpin; and a wear-resistant slider assembly secured adjacent to the facing surface of the base plate, the slider assembly includes a slider plate configured to be conformably received in the slider-plate recess and to extend flush with, or slightly beyond, the facing surface, and a pivot cup that frictionally rests in the pivot recess.