Abstract:
A skateboard accessory comprising an attachment mechanism that can be removably attached to the edge of a skateboard deck, a flexible member extending upward from the attachment mechanism, and a handle located at or near the end of said elastic member. A method of using such a device by grasping the handle and pulling upward while executing an ollie such that the skateboard is lifted completely off of the ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of skateboarding. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in learning how to ollie a skateboard. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Contemporary skateboarding of almost all types incorporates a vast array of tricks based on variations of a basic technique known as an “ollie.” To perform an ollie, the skateboarder steps down hard on the tail of the skateboard deck, forcing the tail of the board down and the nose of the board up into the air. The skateboarder then simultaneously lifts their back foot back up in the air and drags their front foot forward along the top surface of the skateboard deck, using the friction between their shoe and the griptape on the skateboard deck to lift the entire skateboard up in the air and guide its direction. 
         [0005]    An ollie allows the skateboarder to get their entire skateboard up off the ground, without the need for a ramp or jump. Ollies can be used to jump up and over objects, hop curbs, initiate grinds along railings or other objects, or as part of complex tricks such as kickflips. Skilled skateboarders can use ollies to jump over objects more than 40 inches high. 
         [0006]    Learning to perform an ollie, however, can be difficult and frustrating. The sequence and timing of the steps that make up an ollie is critical, and some skateboarders are unable to perfect the timing and actually get the skateboard off the ground in a controlled manner. 
         [0007]    Prior art devices used to assist in performing an ollie have failed to provide an effective training device that quickly allows users to learn how to ollie a skateboard as well as learn a variety of other maneuvers such as manuals and grinds. 
         [0008]    The present invention overcomes these problems and helps users both learn to ollie and improve their technique so that they can ollie higher and with more control. It also helps users learn a variety of other skateboard maneuvers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A skateboard accessory and related method of use are provided. In one embodiment, an attachment mechanism that can be removably attached to the edge of a skateboard deck, along with a flexible cord extending upward from the attachment mechanism, and a handle located at or near the end of said flexible cord. Further embodiments are provided in which the attachment mechanism comprises a member with a recess that is complementary to the shape of the edge of a skateboard deck, and wherein the flexible cord is elastic or inelastic. Various other embodiments are provided as further disclosed herein. 
         [0010]    The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an exemplary attachment mechanism and flexible cord as described herein attached to the edge of a skateboard deck. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a side view of a skateboard with the inventive device attached to the edge of the skateboard deck. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the underside of a skateboard with exemplary embodiments of the inventive device attached to the skateboard deck behind the front left wheel and forward of the rear right wheel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional skateboard deck  100  is manufactured out of plywood laminates using woods such as Canadian maple. The size and shape of skateboard decks vary significantly, although most skateboards used to perform tricks are turned slightly upward at the back or tail end. A high friction material called griptape, which is often similar to sandpaper with an adhesive backing, is applied to the top surface of the deck to provide a non-skid surface. The wheels  104  of the skateboard are mounted to the deck by devices called trucks. Trucks typically included a baseplate  106  that is bolted to the underside of the deck, and an axle housing  108  to which the wheels are attached. 
         [0017]    In many forms of skateboarding, tricks often include a technique called “grinding” in which the skateboarder slides along a surface such that the only part of the skateboard in contact with the surface is the underside of the deck. In order to be able to effectively perform such grinds, it is important that the underside of the skateboard deck be generally smooth and free from projections that could catch on the surface and cause the skateboarder to fall. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises one or more attachment mechanisms  150  that can be removably affixed to a skateboard deck. The attachment mechanism comprises a generally U-shaped piece of material in which the recess  152  is complimentary in shape to the edge of the skateboard deck  100 . The attachment mechanism is placed onto the edge of the skateboard deck such that the recess engages the edge of the skateboard deck. A tightening mechanism such as a wood screw or a set screw can then inserted through hole  154  and be tightened to affix the attachment mechanism to the side of the skateboard deck. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the attachment mechanism may be designed to affix to the edge of the skateboard deck by a wide variety of mechanisms including various kinds of fasteners, clamping mechanisms, and adhesives. 
         [0019]    A cord  158  extends upward from the attachment mechanism  150 , terminating in a handle  160  that is configured to be held by the user. The cord may be elastic or inelastic, and typically will be long enough that it can be held by a user who is standing on the skateboard deck. In one embodiment the cord  158  is formed from flexible, elastic rubber tubing. A rigid bar can also be used instead of a cord. The cord  158  may also be attached directly to the skateboard deck by means of any common permanent or removable attachment device. It will be readily understood that the handle may take any configuration that is conducive to being grasped by the user and may be made of any suitable material. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in an exemplary use of the invention, two attachment mechanisms  150  are affixed to the edge of the skateboard deck  100  on opposing sides with one located toward the front of the deck and the other located toward the back of the deck. This positioning places the handles  160  in a position where they can be easily grasped by the user while standing on the skateboard deck. A user standing on the skateboard deck with the forward handle in his or her front hand and the rearward handle in his or her rear hand can skateboard normally while holding both handles, because they are positioned such that they do not impair the user&#39;s ability to push the skateboard with either their front or back foot. 
         [0021]    When the user attempts to ollie, they simply pull up on the handles  160  as they press down on the tail of the skateboard with their rearward foot and drag their forward foot along the top surface of the deck. The inventive training device dramatically increases the upward force on the deck and quickly bringing the entire skateboard up off the ground. This allows the user to very quickly succeed in getting their skateboard off the ground, and provides an opportunity to focus on timing and footwork to obtain better control of the skateboard during the ollie. 
         [0022]    It will be understood by those of skill in the art that a wide variety of configurations can be used, including a single attachment mechanism on the edge of the deck as shown in  FIG. 3 , or multiple attachment mechanisms located in a variety of positions along the edge of the skateboard deck. The attachment mechanisms can also be positioned on the edge of the skateboard deck at locations on the ends of the skateboard deck, or at any other point along the edge of the skateboard deck, not just along the sides. 
         [0023]    The inventive device also enables users to learn various skateboard tricks more easily, including spins, grinds, and manuals (a trick in which the user rides the skateboard on only the front set of wheels or the back set of wheels, like a “wheelie” on a bicycle”). The device also enables even experienced skateboards to ollie much higher and thus clear larger obstacles. This is true even on heavier skateboards or skateboards with larger wheels such as those designed to be used on rough roads or even on off-road trails. These capabilities enable a variety of activities including off-road downhill skateboarding and slopestyle skateboarding, in which participants navigate down a course containing various features such as jumps and rails, performing tricks as they go.