Abstract:
The riser light is attached between the underneath surface of the deck of a skateboard and a wheel truck using the wheel truck mounting hardware as a standard riser pad would be. The riser light includes self-contained lighting assemblies positioned adjacent the underneath surface of the deck at an outward location from the main body of the riser pad, there are no electronics positioned on or within the main body. This construction, unlike prior riser lighting systems, allows the main body of the riser to function as a standard riser pad offering a smoother ride for the skateboarder on all urban surfaces, and also preventing stress fractures in the deck often caused without the use of a riser pad. The construction of the skateboard riser permits attachment to a snowboard, thereby providing a dual purpose lighting system.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to skateboard lighting systems. More particularly, relating to a lighted skateboard truck riser adapted for attachment to a skateboard between an underneath surface of the deck and a mounting surface of a wheel truck of the skateboard and which can also to be mounted to a surface of a snowboard. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional skateboards are well known and have been considered as a form of transportation, recreation, sport, and exercise. A conventional skateboard comprises a deck having an upper surface which a person stands and an underneath surface to which two wheel assemblies are spacedly attached. The wheel assemblies comprise a truck and two wheels rotatably connected to opposite ends of the truck, and a riser pad mounted between the truck and the deck. 
         [0003]    For safety and visual enhancement, it is desirable for a skateboard or the like to have illumination to provide visual effects, to illuminate a travel path and to increase visibility of the skateboard. 
         [0004]    The physical structure and use of a skateboard makes it difficult to incorporate or attach a lighting system to the skateboard which does not interfere with use of the skateboard, which is not easily damaged and which does not physically alter the skateboard. 
         [0005]    Additionally, users of skateboards typically enjoy the use of snowboards. As in skateboards, it is desirable for a snowboard to have illumination to provide visual effects, to illuminate a travel path and to increase visibility of the snowboard. 
         [0006]    Examples of skateboard and snowboard lighting systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,384; 6,802,636; 4,991,066, 5,067,058; 5,119,277; 6,646,547 and is U.S. patent publications 2003/0201620 A1; 2005/0030746 A1; 2004/0100055 A1. 
         [0007]    While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not provide an illumination system for a skateboard incorporating a truck riser, which is low in profile, is easy to operate, does not require modification to the skateboard for attachment, does not interfere with the normal use of a skateboard, and which can also be attached to a surface of a snowboard. As such there exists and need for a skateboard riser light which substantially departs from the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing visual effects, to illuminate a travel path, and to increase visibility of a skateboard or snowboard. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of skateboard and snowboard lighting systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new skateboard riser light construction wherein the same can be used for effect illumination of a skateboard and a snowboard. 
         [0009]    The riser light is attached between the underneath surface of the deck of a skateboard and a wheel truck using the wheel truck mounting hardware as a standard riser pad would be. The riser light includes self-contained lighting assemblies positioned adjacent the underneath surface of the deck at an outward location from the main body of the riser pad, there are no electronics positioned on or within the main body. This construction, unlike prior riser lighting systems, allows the main body of the riser to function as a standard riser pad offering a smoother ride for the skateboarder on all urban surfaces, and also preventing stress fractures in the deck often caused without the use of a riser pad. The construction also permits the thickness of the main body of the riser pad to remain the same as a standard riser pad. Each lighting assembly is self-contained including its source of illumination, power source and operation switch to control the electrical connection of the power source with the source of illumination. The operation switch is a vibration or motion activated switch which operates to power the light source only when the riser light senses motion. Further, during daytime use, each light assembly can be replaced with a dummy light assembly to save power and to provide logo opportunities. 
         [0010]    The riser light can include an adhesive layer applied to a surface thereof facilitating the attachment of the riser light to a surface of a snowboard. The main body of the riser pad may be designed with virtually any decorative design or logo giving the riser light added cosmetic value. 
         [0011]    In general, in one aspect, a skateboard riser light for attachment to a skateboard between an underside of a deck and a mounting surface of a wheel truck is provided. The skateboard riser light includes a riser pad having opposed first and second major surfaces and a peripheral edge including opposed first and second lateral edges and opposed first and second longitudinal edges, a first housing extending outwardly from the first longitudinal edge, and a second housing extending outwardly from the second longitudinal edge. A first self-contained lamp assembly housed in the first housing. A second self-contained lamp assembly housed in the second housing. The first and second self-contained lamp assemblies each being positioned to direct a light beam in a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface of the riser pad, whereby when the riser pad is attached to a skateboard, the travel path below the skateboard is illuminated by the first and second self-contained lamp assemblies. 
         [0012]    In general, in another aspect, the skateboard riser light includes a layer of adhesive applied to the first major surface, and a removable protective layer covering said layer of pressure sensitive adhesive, to facilitate the attachment of the skateboard riser light to a surface of a snowboard. 
         [0013]    In general, in another aspect, the skateboard riser light includes a first and second self-contained lamp assembly each comprising at least one light source, a power source, and a vibration-activated switch operative to electrically connect the at least one light source to the power source in response to motion of the respective lamp assembly. 
         [0014]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0015]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0016]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0017]    For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is an explode perspective view of the a conventional skateboard and showing the placement of the skateboard riser light constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the skateboard of  FIG. 1  showing two skateboard riser lights mounted to the skateboard between an underneath surface of a deck of the skateboard and each forward and rearward wheel trucks; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the skateboard showing the two skateboard riser lights mounted to the skateboard between the underneath surface of the deck of the skateboard and each forward and rearward wheel trucks; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the skateboard showing a skateboard riser light attached between the underneath surface of the deck of the skateboard and the forward wheel truck; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the skateboard riser light; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the skateboard riser light; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the skateboard riser light taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 6  through one of the housings and lamp assemblies of the skateboard riser light; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a dummy light assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8  of the drawings, reference numeral  10  generally designates skateboard riser light of the present invention. With particular reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown a conventional skateboard which comprises a deck  11  with a top surface  12  and a bottom surface  14 , and a pair of wheel truck assemblies  16 , each comprising, a mounting plate  18 , an axle  20 , and a pair of wheels  22  attached to opposite ends of the axle. 
         [0028]    The skateboard riser light  10  is attached to the skateboard between the bottom surface  14  of the deck  11  and the mounting plate  18  of the truck assembly  16  with standard truck mounting hardware and bolts which are located through deck holes  24 , skateboard riser light holes  26 , and truck mounting plate holes  28 . 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the bottom surface  14  of the deck  11 . The portion  30  of the bottom surface  14  of the deck  10  between the truck assemblies  16  is typically used by a skater in performing tricks by sliding this portion of the skateboard along structures such as, for example, railings and curbs or grasping the edge of the deck  11  in this area during aerial tricks. The construction of the skateboard riser light  10  and its assembly with the skateboard affords protection to the skateboard light from damage when the skateboard is slid across such structures, as the skateboard riser light is protected against impact by the truck assemblies  16  and the wheels  22 . Moreover, the construction permits a skater to grasp the edge of the deck  11  in this area during aerial tricks without interference from the skateboard riser light  10  and without interfering with the display of the skateboard riser light. Moreover, skateboards are typically carried under a person&#39;s arm with this portion adjacent the arm or mid-section, and the particular construction of the skateboard riser light  10  permits the carrying of the skateboard in this manner without discomfort to the person.  FIGS. 3 and 4 , further illustrate the construction and assembly of the skateboard riser light  10  with the skateboard which affords the above discussed important aspects. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown the details of the skateboard riser light  10 , which includes a pad body  30  sized to correspond to standard riser pads. The pad body  30  has a first major surface  32 , an opposed second major surface  34 , and a peripheral edge  36 . The peripheral edge  36  comprises, opposed longitudinal edges  38  and opposed lateral edges  40 . The longitudinal edges  38  are parallel to one another and the lateral edges  40  are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal edges forming a generally rectangular pad body  30 . Mounting holes  26  are formed through the pad body  30  approximate each corner. 
         [0031]    The pad body  30  is made of durable material, such as plastic or rubber, such that when the metal truck  16  is mounted to the bottom surface  14  of the deck  11 , the pad body is capable of not only retaining the truck in position but also absorbing vibration from the wheels  22  through the deck. 
         [0032]    The skateboard riser light  10  includes a self-contained lamp assembly  42  positioned outward from each longitudinal edge  38 . The lamp assemblies  42  are positioned to direct a beam of light in a direction downward from the skateboard riser light  10  generally perpendicular to the first major surface  32  or bottom surface  14  of the deck  11  to illuminate the travel path directly below and about the deck  11 . Each lamp assembly  42  is completely separate and self-contained from the other lamp assembly and do not share any functioning elements. In other words, each lamp assembly  42  includes its own light source, power source and control element, which will be explained in greater detail below. Each lamp assembly  42  is contained within its own housing  44  that extends outward from each longitudinal edge  38  at a position approximate one lateral edge  40 . Each housing  44  extends from its respective longitudinal edge  38  such that a bottom  46 , thereof is co-planer with and forms part of the first major surface  32  of the pad body  30 . The housings  44  basically form wings that extend in opposite directions from the longitudinal edges  38 , and when the skateboard riser light  10  is assembly with the skateboard, the bottom  46  of each housing is adjacent to the bottom surface  14  of the deck  11 . The housings  44  can be integrally formed with the pad body  30  or separately attached to it. 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a cross section of a lamp assembly  42  and housing  44 . Each lamp assembly  42  includes an upper portion  48  and a cylindrically shaped lower portion  50  that depends from the center of the upper portion. The upper portion  42  includes a support  52  which retains a printed circuit board  54  to which is mounted at least one light source  56 , such as a light emitting diode (LED), a switch element  58 , and first and second electrical contacts  64  and  65 . A lens  68  is made integral with or attached to the support  52  and defines an internal cavity into which at least the at least one light source  56  is positioned to project a light beam from the lamp assembly  42  through the lens  68  in a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface  32  of the pad body  30 . The upper portion  50  is generally frustoconical shaped with the support  52  forming the wide end thereof with the narrow end terminating at a distance outwardly therefrom. 
         [0034]    The lower portion  50  includes a central, longitudinal through bore  60  defining a cavity into which a power source  62  is contained. The power source  62  can be a single battery or a stacked array of multiple batteries, as shown. Positioned centrally at the top of the through bore  60  is the first electrical contact  64  which is electrically connected to a first pole of the power source  62 . Extending through the lower portion  50  adjacent to the through bore  60  and terminating beyond the bottom thereof at an inwardly bend end is the second electric contact  66 , which is electrically connected to a second pole of the power source  62 . 
         [0035]    The peripheral wall  70  of the lower portion  50  is threaded and the lamp assembly  42  is attached to the housing  44  by threading the lower portion into threaded bore  72  that is formed through a top surface of the housing. An elastomeric seal  74  is positioned in a radial groove  76  formed into the support  52  around the lower portion  50 . The seal  74  is compress against the top surface of the housing  44  when the lamp assembly  42  is threaded into the threaded bore  72  to form a water tight seal between the lamp assembly and the housing. 
         [0036]    The lamp assembly  42  is operated by switch element  58 , which is a motion or vibration actuated switch that connects the power source  62  to the at least one light source  56  to illuminate the light source when motion or vibration is sensed by the switch element. An example of a light assembly incorporating a vibration or motion active switch is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,197 to Chien, which is hereby incorporated herein in entirety by reference. In this arrangement, the lamp assembly  42  is caused to illuminate only during times of use of the skateboard which results motion or vibration sufficient enough for the switch element  58  to sense. Carrying or transporting the skateboard will generally not result in motion or vibration sufficient to be sensed by the switch element  58 , thereby preventing the lamp assembly  42  from illuminating during non-use periods. Further, the use of the vibration or motion activated switch element  58  eliminates the need for a skater to have to manually operate a switch to turn the lamp assembly  42  on and off. Moreover, the elimination of a manually operated switch prevents inadvertent switch of the lamp assembly  42  on and off, such as for example during use of the skateboard. 
         [0037]    Light source  56  can include as few as one light element to as many light elements as desired. In one instance, multiple light elements are provided and each may illuminate in a different color and may be sequentially illuminated to create a flashing pattern or other display pattern. 
         [0038]    It is important to note, the particular construction of the skateboard riser light  10  overcomes major drawbacks in prior devices in many aspects, including providing self-contained lamp assemblies  42  that are positioned at a location outward from the body pad  30  such that truck  16  does not need to be removed to access the various elements of the lamp assembly, such as for example the power source  62 . In many prior devices, the truck needs to be removed to permit the changing of the power source of the particular lighting system, this is not a requirement with the skateboard riser light  10  of the present invention. Moreover, the positioning of the lamp assemblies  42  to be forward and rearward of the forward and rearward trucks respectively while still being positioned inward from the wheels  22  approximate the axle  20  affords a great deal of protection to the lamp assemblies from damage as they are essentially guarded by the truck and the wheels. 
         [0039]    With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a dummy light assembly  78  can be provided to replace the functioning light assembly  42  during periods of day time use. The dummy light assembly  78  includes a cover portion  80  and a threaded shaft  82  depending from a center of the cover. The cover portion  80  is sized to correspond to the top of the housing  44  such that the housing is completely covered when the threaded shaft  82  is threaded into the threaded bore  72  of the housing. The cover portion  80  can include various decorative designs or logos. 
         [0040]    With reference now back to  FIG. 6 , another very important aspect of the skateboard riser light  10  is shown. The skateboard riser light  10  may include a layer of adhesive  82  applied to the first major surface  32  of the pad body  30  and covered by a peel-off protective layer  84 . The adhesive backing  82  and the particular construction of the skateboard riser light  10  permits it to be attached to the surface of a snowboard (not shown). The dual purpose functionality of the skateboard riser light  10  provides a more versatile product making it more appealing to the market place. For example, a person who lives or travels to colder regions of the world during winter months is capable of using the skateboard riser light  10  with a skateboard during the summer months and with a snowboard during the winter months, thereby eliminating the need to purchase two separate lighting devices. 
         [0041]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.