Abstract:
A grind rail and transport kit provides a conveniently portable and durable grind rail. In use, the grind rail has stands that support a grind beam, thereby providing a stable riding surface. The assembled grind rail is of sufficient height, length, and stability to provide a safe and stable riding experience. To facilitate portability, the grind rail disassembles into rail pieces and stand pieces. The rail pieces and stand pieces cooperate to form a stable transportable assembly. The transportable assembly is about one-half the length of the grind rail, and is about as wide as the grind beam.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The field of the present invention is mechanical sporting equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to grind rails for sporting activities such as skateboarding, BMX biking, and skating.  
           [0002]    Skateboarding is a popular sporting activity. In a particularly desirable aspect of skateboarding, skateboarders perform tricks, stunts, or other maneuvers to increase the excitement and complexity of the sport. Other sports, such as BMX biking, skating, and riding scooters also may perform such activities. In performing these various maneuvers, skateboarders often use accessory devices such as grind rails, half-pipes, and various types of jumps and ramps. Unfortunately, the sport of skateboarding has suffered from a lack of convenient and accessible skate parks, where permanent installations of such accessories may be used. Accordingly, skateboarders often have been forced to use makeshift accessories. For example, skateboarders may use a handrail adjacent a public sidewalk as a substitute for a grind rail, or may place boards against a curb to substitute for a ramp. Such makeshift use not only may be dangerous to the skateboarder, but also may interfere with the intended use of sidewalks and streets.  
           [0003]    In an effort to respectfully use public space, skateboarders prefer to use portable accessory equipment that is specifically designed for skateboard tricks. For example, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Mar. 18, 2002, and entitled “Launch Ramp and Method of Making Same”, discloses a portable launch ramp for sport use. Such a launch ramp enables a rider to propel themselves into the air to perform tricks or other stunts. Skateboarders and other riders also use a grind rail to perform tricks or other stunts.  
           [0004]    Generally, a grind rail is an elevated and elongated bar that is stable enough to support a rider. The rider generally approaches the grind rail at a high rate of speed, and then jumps or otherwise maneuvers his or her skateboard onto the grind rail. The rider then “grinds” the skateboard along the rail, balancing or performing tricks. At the completion of the ride, the rider drops or pushes off the grind rail.  
           [0005]    For permanent installations, grind rails may look like hand rails, and may be several feet off the ground and about eight to fifteen feet long. However, lower elevations, such as one foot, may still provide an enjoyable ride experience, and may be more safely maintained in a portable grind rail. Also, grind rails less than eight feet may still provide an enjoyable experience, but shorter rails tend to be less fun.  
           [0006]    Portable grind rails are known which skateboarders may set in a safe public area and utilize without interfering with pedestrians or cars. However, known portable grind rails generally fall into one of two undesirable categories. First, some known grind rails are either too heavy or bulky to be easily transported. These rails tend to be long enough and high enough to be fun, but are very sturdy and heavy for safety and to provide a stable ride effect. It may be difficult to transport these grind rails, so their use is quite limited. For example, a solid steel grind rail provides safety and stability, but is too heavy for easy transport. In another example, an eight foot grind rail may provide a fun ride, but it is not possible to easily stowed in the trunk of a car. Further, it is difficult for a retailer to stock and display such bulky and unwieldy items.  
           [0007]    In the second undesirable category, grind rails are light and easily transported. Unfortunately, these grind rails tend to be either too short or too low to be fun. Or worse, they lack the necessary structure and mass to provide a safe and stable ride. Although these may be appropriate for some young children or novice riders, more experience riders will be disappointed with the ride, or endangered by the flimsy construction.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for an easily transported grind rail that provides a safe, stable, and fun ride experience.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of known portable grind rails. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conveniently portable and durable grind rail having superior riding characteristics.  
           [0010]    Briefly, the present invention provides a conveniently portable and durable grind rail. In use, the grind rail has stands that support a grind beam, thereby providing a stable riding surface. The assembled grind rail is of sufficient height, length, and stability to provide a safe and stable riding experience. To facilitate portability, the grind rail disassembles into rail pieces and stand pieces. The rail pieces and stand pieces cooperate to form a stable transportable assembly. The transportable assembly is about one-half the length of the grind rail, and is about as wide as the grind beam.  
           [0011]    In a preferred example of the grind rail, the rail pieces detachably coupled to form the transport assembly. When coupled, the rail pieces generally form a frame, which is substantially in a rectangular shape. The rail pieces are also constructed to hold the stands within the frame. When secured, the frame may be easily transported. Also, the rail pieces may be constructed to hold other pieces to the grind rail, such as a connector piece.  
           [0012]    Advantageously, the disclosed portable grind rail provides an extremely durable and stable construction. However, even with such superior durability and stability, the grind rail maintains a size, shape, and weight for convenient portability. For example, the grind rail can be about eight feet long and over one foot high when in use, but breaks down to a size and a form-factor that is easily transportable. Importantly, the grind rail also provides a high quality, enjoyable, and safe ride experience. These and other advantages will become apparent by review of the figures and detail descriptions that follow.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 1 a,    1   b,  and  1   c  show plan, top, and side views, respectively, of a transport assembly for a grind rail in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows a transport kit for a grind rail in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 shows a transport kit for a grind rail in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portable grind rail in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b,  and  5   c  show plan, side, and top views of a portable grind rail in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 shows another transport assembly and grind rail kit in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Referring now to FIG. 1A, an example of a transport assembly for a grind rail is illustrated. The transport assembly  10  provides an easy to transport kit of the pieces necessary to construct a grind rail. Transport assembly  10  generally comprises rail piece  12  and rail piece  14  coupled to form a frame  11 . Frame  11 , which is generally rectangular in shape, has side  13 , side  15 , side  17 , and side  19 . Stand  18  and stand  20  are positioned within the frame  11 . The frame  11  provides for a transport assembly that is flat and easy to lift, carry, put in a vehicle, or otherwise transport.  
         [0020]    When assembled for use, stands  18  and  20  cooperate with rail pieces  12  and  14  respectively to construct a grind rail. A connecter  16  provides additional support and strength for the assembled grind rail. However, when assembled as a transport assembly, connecter  16  is contained within one of the rail pieces, such as rail piece  12 . Accordingly, the transport assembly has all the components required to assemble a fun and stable grind rail.  
         [0021]    In a preferred example of transport assembly  10 , transport assembly  10  has an overall length of approximately 4 feet. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the transport assembly  10  has an overall width equal to the width of the rail piece. More specifically, the stand  18  and  20  are substantially contained within the width of the rail piece. Such an arrangement allows for convenient and flat transport, and presents a manageable form factor. In a preferred embodiment of the transport assembly  10 , the overall width is approximately 2 inches wide.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 1C, it is illustrated that the transport assembly  10  has a height approximately equal to the height of rail piece  12 , plus rail piece  14 , plus the stand height. In a preferred embodiment of transport assembly  10 , the overall height of the transport assembly is approximately 14 inches.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the individual components of transport assembly  10  are identified in more detail. Rail piece  12  comprises a grind beam piece  24 . Grind beam piece  24  may be, for example, constructed from rectangular aluminum tubing or piping. In a preferred construction, grind beam  24  is constructed of 2-inch diameter rectangular aluminum pipe. It will be appreciated, however, that other diameters and materials may be substituted consistent with this disclosure. A riser  21  is permanently attached to grind beam piece  24 . Preferable, riser  21  is constructed of the same material as grind beam piece  24 . Riser  21  may be attached to grind beam piece  24 , for example, by welding. Although welding is a preferred attachment method, it will be appreciated that other methods may be used, such as a threading attachment means.  
         [0024]    Tensioner  41  is a attached to riser  21  for securing a stand into the riser  21 . The tensioner may be, for example, a nut welded on to riser  21  with a wing-nut bolt used to compress a member placed inside the riser  21 . It will also be appreciated that the tensioner  41  may be formed by having a thin wall threading process place threads in the wall of riser  21 , and using a wing nut bolt to again provide a compressive force. Alternatively, legs  34  and  37  may have threaded holes formed by a thin wall threading process, with the threaded holes aligning with punched holes in the risers  21  and  23 , respectively. In a similar fashion, tensioners  42  and  43  are attached to grind beam piece  24 . Tensioners  42  and  43  will be described later when assembling the transport assembly  10  into a grind rail.  
         [0025]    Rail piece  12  also includes a riser nub  29 . Riser nub  29  is preferably of the same material as riser  21 , but of a smaller diameter. For example, if riser  21  is a 2-inch rectangular pipe, then riser nub  29  may be provided as a 1-¾ inch rectangular pipe. Rail piece  12  also includes a stand nub  25 . Stand nub  25  preferably is made of the same material of as grind beam piece  24 , but has a diameter smaller than riser nub  29 . For example, if riser nub  29  is 1-¾ inch rectangular pipe, then stand nub  25  may be 1-½ inch rectangular pipe. In a preferred embodiment, grind beam piece  24 , riser  21 , riser nub  29 , and stand nub  25  are all rectangular aluminum pipe. However, grind beam piece  24  and riser  21  are 2 inches in diameter, riser nub is a 1-¾ inches in diameter, and stand nub  25  is 1-½ inches in diameter. It will be appreciated that the diameter dimensions may be adjusted consistent with the teachings of this application.  
         [0026]    In one example of transport assembly  10 , rail piece  14  is identical to rail piece  12 . More particularly, grind beam piece  24  is like grind beam piece  26 , riser  23  is like riser  21 , riser nub  31  is like riser nub  29 , and stand nub  27  is like stand nub  25 . Further, tensioners  44 ,  46 , and  47  are like tensioners  41 ,  42 , and  43  respectively. In an alternate configuration, rail piece  14  may be provided without riser nub  31 . Such a construction eliminates the additional step of adding riser nub  31 , and also may facilitate easier assembly and disassembly. Assembly of a grind rail will be described in detail in a section below.  
         [0027]    Transport assembly  10  also includes a connecter piece  16 . Connecter piece  16  is constructed to fit inside grind beam piece  24  and grind beam piece  26 . Preferably, connecter piece  16  is constructed of the same material as grind beam pieces  24  and  26 , however connecter piece  16  is of a slightly smaller diameter. For example, if grind beam piece  24  and grind beam piece  26  are a  2  inch diameter rectangular aluminum pipe, then connecter piece  16  could be a 1¾ inch diameter rectangular aluminum pipe.  
         [0028]    Transport assembly  10  also contains  2  stands. Stand  18  comprises a leg  34  permanently attached to foot  35 . Leg  34  is constructed to be received into riser  21 . Preferably, leg  34  is constructed of the same material as riser  21 , however at a slightly narrower diameter. For example, if riser  21  is a 2-inch diameter rectangular aluminum pipe, then leg  34  could be a 1-¾ inch rectangular aluminum pipe. Foot  35  is also preferably constructed of the same material as leg  34 . In this regard leg  34  may be welded or otherwise attached to foot  35 . In a preferred embodiment foot  35  is a half-inch aluminum bar approximately 2 inches wide and 18 inches long. It will be appreciated that other thickness, widths, and lengths may be used depending upon the stability needed for the assembled grind rail. For example, a longer foot  35  may be useful for higher elevations or to support a longer rail. In a preferred embodiment, leg  34  rises approximately 10 inches above foot  35 . Stand  20  is identical to stand  18 . More specifically, leg  37  is like leg  35 , and foot  38  is like foot  35 .  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIG. 3, assembly instructions are identified for transport assembly  10 . Rail piece  12  has riser  21  with an opening  51 . Opening  51  is sized to slidably receive riser nub  31 . In a similar manner rail piece  14  has riser  23  having an opening  57 . Opening  57  is sized to slidably receive riser nub  29 . As briefly described earlier, it is possible to eliminate riser nub  31  from rail piece  14 . Removing riser nib  31  simplifies construction of rail piece  14 , and also may facilitate easier assembly of the transport assembly  10 .  
         [0030]    Stand  18  has leg  34  having an opening  53 . Opening  53  is sized to slidably receive stand nub  27 . In a similar manner stand  20  has leg  37  with opening  55 . Opening  55  is sized to slidably receive stand nub  25 . As can be seen in FIG. 3, foot  35  and foot  38  are positioned to be substantially parallel with grind beam piece  24  and grind beam piece  26 , respectively. In this regard, foot  35  and foot  38  do not extend beyond the width of the grind beam pieces. However, it will be appreciated that foot  35  and foot  38  may extend slightly if a wider foot is needed for additional stability.  
         [0031]    In the process of assembling the transport assembly  10 , rail piece  12  is brought toward rail piece  14 , causing riser nub  31  to be received into opening  51  and riser nub  29  to be received into opening  57 . In this regard, grind beam piece  24 , riser  21 , grind bean piece  26 , and riser  23  cooperate to generally form a rectangular shaped frame. As rail piece  12  is further brought closer to rail piece  14 , stand nub  27  is received into leg opening  53  and stand nub  25  is received into leg opening  55 , thus positioning the stands  18  and  20  within the rectangular frame.  
         [0032]    When rail piece  12  and rail piece  14  are fully engaged, the bottom of foot  35  will be in contact with grind beam piece  24  and the bottom of foot  38  will be in contact with grind beam piece  26 . Tensioner  44  and tensioner  41  may then be tightened to secure rail piece  12  to rail piece  14 . As previously described, if riser nub  31 , is not present, tensioner  44  is sufficient to secure rail piece  12  to rail piece  14 . When secured, the transport assembly may be readily lifted, moved, or otherwise transported.  
         [0033]    Connector  16  may also be secured in the transport assembly  10 . In this regard, opening  45  is sized to slidably receive connecter  16 . Therefore, connecter  16  may be slid completely into grind beam piece  24 , and secured with tensioners  42  and  43 . Alternatively, connecter  16  could be inserted into grind beam piece  26  and secured with tensioners  46  and  47 . With connector  16  secured into the transport assembly  10 , the transport assembly contains all pieces necessary to assemble a grind rail, as will be described below. For reference, FIG. 1 shows an assembled and secured transport assembly  10 .  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 4, a grind rail assembly  50  is illustrated. Grind rail assembly  50  is constructed from the pieces comprising the transport assembly  10  describe above. In this regard, it will be seen that a fully functioning grind rail may be constructed from transport assembly  10 . Grind rail assembly  50  is assembled by connecting rail piece  12  to rail piece  14  using connecter  16 . More specifically grind beam piece  24  has opening  45  sized to slidably receive an end portion of connector  16 , while grind beam piece  26  has opening  59  sized to receive the other end portion of connecter  16 . It is preferable that one-half the length of connecter  16  be inserted into grind beam piece  24  and the other one-half of connecter  16  be inserted into grind rail piece  26 . Such an assembly will give maximum stability and strength. However, it will be appreciated that other constructions may be sufficient.  
         [0035]    In one embodiment of grind rail assembly  50 , grind beam piece  24  and grind beam piece  26  are each 4 feet in length. For stability and strength, connecter piece  16  is then sized at a length of 2 feet, although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be used for specific applications. For example, a longer piece may be useful to provide additional strength for advanced riders. When rail piece  12  has been brought toward rail piece  14  such that grinder rail piece  24  is contacting grinder rail piece  26 , then tensioners  42 , 42 , 47 , and  46  will be tensioned against connecter  16 . When fully engaged, these 4 tensioners securely hold connecter  16  inside the rail pieces  12  and  14 , creating a single elongated riding surface. As described earlier in regard to tensions  41  and  44 , these tensioners may be constructed of nuts welded to the rail pieces, or may have threads integrally formed in the sidewalls of the rail pieces  26  and  26 , which align with holes in the connector. Alternatively, threads may be formed in the sidewalls of the connector, with the threaded holes aligned with holes punched in the rail pieces. In this regard, a bolt, such as a wing nut bolt, would extend through the rail piece and engage the thread in the connector  16 . When tightened, the connector and rail pieces would be securely attached, but yet allow for easy disassembly.  
         [0036]    The stands  18  and  20  are rotated so that feet  35  and  38  are positioned perpendicular to the rail pieces  12  and  14 . Riser  21  has opening  51  which has been sized to slidably receive leg  34 , while riser  23  has opening  57  which has been sized to receive leg  37 . The legs are inserted into the risers, and tensioners  41  and  44 , respectively, are used to secure the stands to the rail pieces. The legs  34  and  37  may be completely inserted into the risers  21  and  23 , or may be partially inserted for additional elevation. In a preferred configuration of grind rail assembly  50 , the legs  34  and  37  are approximately 10 inches in length. Accordingly, when the legs are fully inserted into the risers, the top of the rail pieces will be over one foot above the ground or other support surface.  
         [0037]    Depending on the specific location of the tensioners  41  and  44 , the legs may extend from the risers, enabling the stands to be raised. In one embodiment, the legs may be extended approximately 6 inches. In this configuration, the rail pieces would be elevated over 18 inches above the supporting surface. Tensioners  44  and  41  may be wing nut bolds acting through threads to compress against legs  34  and  37  respectively. However, it will be appreciated that other tensioning methods may be used. For example, tensioners  41  and  44  maybe pass-through bolts that cooperate with holes in the legs. In one construction, the legs could be provided with holes at one-inch intervals. In this regard the bolt could enable the stand leg to be extended in one-inch increments. Such a construction would facilitate easy leveling of the rail surface.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and  5 C, grind rail  60  is illustrated. Grind rail  60  is constructed of the same components as transport assembly  10  and grind rail assembly  50 . When grind beam piece  24  and grind beam piece  26  are pushed together to meet at mating surface  65 , an elongated riding surface  67  is formed. In a prefer example, riding surface  67  may be 8 feet long. It will be appreciated other riding surfaces lengths may be accomplished by adjusting other dimensions.  
         [0039]    It will also be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the grind rail and transport assembly consistent with this disclosure. For example, rail ends  62  and  63  could be rounded to facilitate easier entering and exiting of the riding surface  67 . Different materials and compositions may be utilized in construction of the various pieces. Additionally, other construction and attachment methods may be used. For example, the connecter piece  16  could be constructed integrally with one of the rail pieces. Such a construction would require certain modifications in dimensions and positioning but would eliminate a discreet component of the transport assembly. In another example of an alternate construction, the rail pieces would not need to be symmetrical. Such a configuration could allow for particular weight balancing, or allow for more than 2 stands. Further, it is contemplated that particular grind rails may be constructed with more than 2 rail pieces.  
         [0040]    In making the transport assembly  10 , rectangular aluminum tubing stock of the appropriate diameter is cut to specific lengths as indicated previously. The pieces are cleaned and deburred to reduce risk of cut and abrasions. A thin wall threading process may be used to place threads for the tensioners. Alternatively, tensioners may be formed by drilling a hole and welding nuts to receive a wing-nut tensioner bolt.  
         [0041]    Tubing stock that are to be permanently attached are welded together using a standard welding process. The pieces are cleaned, primed, and painted. Alternatively, the pieces are powder coated for additional aesthetic appeal and durability. Finally, the pieces are assembled into their transport assembly configuration, and tensioners positioned and secured. The pieces, now in the form of a transport assembly, are boxed and ready for shipment.  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 6, another transport assembly and grind rail  80  is illustrated. Transport assembly and grind rail  80  is similar to assembly  10  previously described. However, assembly  80  is constructed with each riser integrally formed with its associated rail piece. More particularly, forming a bend  90  in an aluminum tube integrally forms riser  86  and rail piece  82 . In a similar manner, forming a bend  92  in another aluminum tube integrally forms riser  88  and rail piece  84 .  
         [0043]    As previously described, tensioners, such as tensioners  94  and  96 , are used to removeably couple stand  104  to riser  86  and stand  106  to riser  88 , respectively. Connecter piece  102  is like connector piece  16  previously described. Also, stands  104  and  106  are similar to stands  18  and  20 , previously described, but may have a different leg height to accommodate bends  90  and  92 , respectively. By bending the aluminum tube to integrally form the riser and rail piece, assembly  80  has rail pieces that are easy to manufacture, and the bended ends provide a safe and smooth transition for riders.  
         [0044]    Advantageously, a stable, fun, and full size grind rail may be stored or transported in a flat, convenient transport assembly. For example, a full eight-foot grind rail capable of use at an elevation of over  18  inches may be transported in a transport assembly having dimensions of only about 4 feet by 14 inches by 2 inches. Such a convenient transport configuration facilitates ease of transport by the rider, and also enables a distributor or others in the sales channel to conveniently stock and display grind rails. For example, a four-foot stack of packaged grind rails may contain about 20 grind rails. Such density of storage enables distributors and sellers to maintain a substantial stock without dedicating scare storage space.  
         [0045]    While particular preferred and alternative embodiments of the present intention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that many various modifications and extensions of the above described technology may be implemented using the teaching of this invention. All such modifications and extensions are intended to be included within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.