Skateboard bubble pipe

A novelty skateboard includes features common in skateboards and further includes an air passage and a cup for producing bubbles. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck is made from cross laminated layers of a wood material. The air passage is formed lengthwise through one or more of the layers in the center of the deck and reaches from one end of the deck to an opposite end of the deck, and may be formed by a hollow rectangular insert laminated into the deck. One of the trucks includes a bypass reaching from a base plate of the truck to the cup. The bypass may pass through a hollow kingpin of the truck, or through the hanger of the truck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novelty skateboards and in particular to a skateboard further serving as a bubble pipe.

Skateboards are commonly used for recreational activities and are very popular among young people. Known skateboards provide a single use known for many decades and enjoyed world wide. However, many younger skateboarders are known to enjoy a variety of activities and novelty items. Therefore, a skateboard offering the novelty of a clever alternate use is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a novelty skateboard which includes features common in skateboards and further includes an air passage and a cup for producing bubbles. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck is made from cross laminated layers of a wood material. The air passage is formed lengthwise through one or more of the layers in the center of the deck and reaches from one end of the deck to an opposite end of the deck, and may be formed by a hollow rectangular insert laminated into the deck. One of the trucks includes a bypass reaching from a base plate of the truck to the cup. The bypass may pass through a hollow kingpin of the truck, or through the hanger of the truck.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a skateboard and bubble pipe. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck comprising cross laminated layers of wood material with a center layer having a longitudinally extending grain. A first truck is attached to a forward end of the deck and includes a first base plate, a first hanger, a first kingpin, and first bushings residing on the kingpin and sandwiching the hanger. A second truck is attached to a rear end of the deck and includes a second base plate, a second hanger, a hollow kingpin, and second bushings residing on the kingpin and sandwiching the hanger. The wheels attached to the trucks. A hollow insert is laminated into the deck and has a rectangular exterior cross-section and an interior passage, and reaches through the deck from a forward end of the deck to a rear end of the deck. An intermediate opening in the passage connects the passage to a bottom surface of the deck adjacent to the second truck and a bypass passage overlaps the intermediate opening and passes through the second base plate and the hollow kingpin. A cup resides on an exposed head of the hollow kingpin and in opens into the bypass passage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A top perspective view of a prior art skateboard10is shown inFIG. 1and a bottom perspective view of the prior art skateboard10is shown inFIG. 2. The skateboard10includes a deck12, trucks16mounted to the forward and rear ends of the deck, and wheels14mounted to the trucks16.

A top view of a skateboard10aaccording to the present invention is shown inFIG. 3A, a side view of the skateboard10ais shown inFIG. 3B, a forward (or front) view of the skateboard10ais shown inFIG. 3C, and a rear view of the skateboard10ais shown inFIG. 3D. The skateboard10aincludes a passage13(seeFIGS. 7 and 8) having a forward opening13aat a forward end17aof the deck12and a rear opening13bat a rear end17bof the deck12.

A front view of the truck16according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 4A, a side view of the truck16is shown inFIG. 4B, and a rear view of the truck16is shown inFIG. 4C. The truck16includes a base plate18which attaches to the deck12, a hanger22pivotally engaging the base plate18at a pivot end22a, axles24reaching laterally from the hanger22for mounting the wheels14, and a kingpin26holding the hanger22in place. Two bushings20reside on the kingpin26and sandwich a ring portion22bof the hanger22. The kingpin26may be tightened or loosened (or harder or softer bushings may be selected) to adjust the turning responsiveness of the skateboard.

A cross-sectional view of the truck16aaccording to the present invention taken along line5-5ofFIG. 4Cis shown inFIG. 5and a cross-sectional view of the skateboard10ataken along line6-6ofFIG. 3Ais shown inFIG. 6. The truck16aincludes a hollow kingpin26with a passage26aand a first opening28athrough the base plate18, to provide a bypass passage through the truck16afrom a mounting surface18aof the base plate18to a cup30. The opening28aoverlaps an intermediate opening13cin the deck12to place the cup30in fluid communication with the passage13.

A cross-sectional view of a second truck16baccording to the present invention taken along line5-5ofFIG. 4Cis shown inFIG. 5A. The truck16bincludes a hanger22with a bypass passage22aplacing the cup30in fluid communication with the passage13.

A cross-sectional view of the skateboard deck17ataken along line7-7ofFIG. 6is shown inFIG. 7and a cross-sectional view of the skateboard deck12ataken along line8-8ofFIG. 7is shown inFIG. 8. The deck12acomprises cross and straight laminated layers40a-40gof wood material with a center layer having a longitudinally extending grain. The passage13is preferably a passage in a hollow insert15laminated into the deck12a. The hollow insert15conforms to a void area in the laminated layers of wood material forming the deck12and for example, may have a rectangular outer cross-section, another uniform cross-section, or an irregular cross-section. The insert15is preferably made of high-density polypropylene material or a similar material.

A side view of a second skateboard deck12baccording to the present invention is shown inFIG. 9and a cross-sectional view of the skateboard deck12btaken along line10-10ofFIG. 9is shown inFIG. 10. The deck12bincludes a curved passage13′ which reaches the truck16aor16b, but then turns to a side edge32of the deck12b. The deck12bis otherwise similar to the deck12a.

While the skateboard described above includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels, skateboards are known which replace one of the two wheel trucks with a single wheel. All skateboard including the passage and bypass through a truck or other wheel mounting including such variations are intended to come within the scope of the present invention.