Ski-shoe-attachment apparatus for skateboards

A ski-shoe-attachment apparatus adapted to be mounted to a conventional skateboard having associated skate trucks and wheels, whereby each wheel thereof has a ski shoe removably mounted thereto, and wherein each ski shoe comprises a substantially flat carriage platform having an upturned front end member and a pair of longitudinal side-flanged runners to allow the shoes to slide over the snow in the same manner as conventional skis. Each ski shoe is provided with a pair of aligned slots to receive a flexible strap whereby each wheel is mounted to a ski shoe, and including holding blocks positioned against each wheel of the skateboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a ski device and more particularly to ski shoes 
arranged to be attached to conventional skateboards and like apparatus 
having skate-type wheels. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The sport of skateboarding has become very popular world-wide at the 
present time. Such skateboards are limited to good weather 
conditions--that is, areas that are subjected to snowfall provide only a 
limited seasonal use of skateboards. Thus, it is desirable to have a means 
to convert the conventional skateboard to a device that can also be used 
in snow. 
Some attempts have been made to provide an answer to the above, and the 
following U.S. patents are examples. 
U.S. Pat. No. 332,575 shows a board having two sets of runners which would 
provide a very limited use in packed snow or ice. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,802,116 a snow skate is disclosed having a runner 
attached to skates rather than to a skateboard. 
Again, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,543 another form of ski combination is 
illustrated with a wheeled scooter. 
A convertible coaster steered by a tilting rider support, having a front 
and rear sled runner attached thereto, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,203,706. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprises a ski-shoe apparatus that is designed to be 
removably attached to conventional skateboard devices. Accordingly, the 
skateboard includes a pair of suitable well-known trucks having a pair of 
skate wheels attached thereto, wherein each wheel is provided with an 
individual ski shoe. That is, each ski shoe is readily adapted to be 
mounted to each wheel, thereby providing a skateboard having a front and a 
rear pair of ski shoes, so as to allow the skateboard to have the normal 
movability and operating action it would have with just the wheels. Thus, 
various snow-covered surfaces can be traversed by the combination of the 
skateboard and the ski shoes mounted thereon. 
Each ski shoe comprises a substantially flat carriage platform having an 
upturned forward end and a pair of depending side runners to give 
directional control to the apparatus. 
The carriage includes aligned slots or apertures to receive a flexible 
strap member, wherein a pair of holding blocks cooperate therewith to 
function as a means to removably secure a respective wheel to the carriage 
of the ski shoe. 
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
An important object of the present invention is to be able to convert a 
conventional skateboard apparatus to a ski-operating device for use in 
snow and like conditions, whereby skateboarding will no longer be 
considered a seasonal type of sport. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a ski shoe that is readily 
adaptable to be mounted to various sized wheels associated with 
conventional skateboards, wherein special arrangements or changes to the 
skateboard are not required . 
A still further object of the invention is to provide a skateboard with two 
pairs of ski shoes, whereby the skateboard can be operated in the snow and 
controlled in movement as with a conventional skateboard without the ski 
shoes. 
It is another object of the invention to provide two sets of ski shoes for 
attachment to a conventional skateboard, the sets being relatively 
inexpensive to manufacture yet simple and rugged in construction. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this 
character that can be mounted to the wheels of a skateboard with simple 
conventional tools, such as a screwdriver. 
The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further 
sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings, 
which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled 
persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from 
the principles disclosed; and I contemplate the employment of any 
structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within 
the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical, well-known 
type of skateboard, indicated generally at 10, having a pair of 
wheel-and-truck assemblies, designated by numeral 12. Each wheel-and-truck 
assembly is shown having a pair of ski-shoe members, indicated at 14, 
attached thereto. 
As is well known, the skateboard comprises an elongated substantially 
horizontal skateboard platform or board 16, which is most often formed 
from a wood or plastic material, on which the user thereof places one, 
foot, while pushing the board in a forward direction along a ground 
surface before placing the other foot on the platform--thereby riding on 
the board with both feet. 
Accordingly, the platform or board includes a pair of wheel-and-truck 
assemblies 12 mounted thereto, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein one truck 
assembly is mounted adjacent the front end thereof and the second assembly 
12 is mounted adjacent the rear of the board. The truck assemblies 12 are 
generally fastened to the underside of platform 10 by screws or bolts 19. 
Each wheel-and-truck assembly comprises a structural body or truck 18 
wherein one or more resilient members 20 are attached thereto in such a 
manner as to allow the axle member 22 to move relative to structural body 
18. The details of the wheel-and-truck assembly are well known in the art 
of skateboards. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, each truck assembly includes a pair of 
wheels 24 which are mounted to laterally extending axles 22 and positioned 
thereon by nut 25. 
Thus, to provide for extended use of the skateboard in regional areas that 
are subjected to snow, the ski shoes 14 are arranged so as to be removably 
secured to each wheel of the trucks. Thus, the ski-shoe device comprises a 
first pair of ski shoes mounted to the forward wheel-and-truck assembly 
and a second pair of ski shoes mounted to the rear wheel-and-truck 
assembly. 
Further, each ski shoe is removably attached to each individual wheel 24 as 
shown in the drawings. This arrangement of having each wheel provided with 
a ski shoe allows the rider thereof to perform various maneuvers that are 
possible with most skateboards. Thus, the skateboard is capable of turning 
in any direction that is possible without the use of the ski shoes. 
Accordingly, each shoe comprises an elongated planar body member 30, 
generally formed of a metal or plastic material, wherein the body is 
substantially flat throughout its length and has a steep upturned nose 
portion 32 formed in the front end thereof, this upturned portion 32 being 
similar to the well-known water and snow skis, and being designed to 
accomplish the same purpose. 
The flat planar body member 30 is further provided with elongated depending 
flange members 34 which define a pair of runners disposed along opposite 
longitudinal edges thereof. These runners allow directional control of the 
skateboard without causing drag. 
Each ski shoe is provided with a means by which it is removably secured to 
each wheel 24. As indicated herein, the securing means comprises a pair of 
elongated slots 36 located within the flat portion of body member 30. 
These slots are disposed transversely and aligned in pairs longitudinally 
on said body member to receive therein a flexible strap member 38. Various 
suitable strap members may be employed; however, it is contemplated that 
each strap will be formed of metal having a plurality of juxtaposed slits 
39 disposed transversely along the length of the strap so as to be 
adjustably received in screw coupling member 40. Thus, the strap is passed 
through each respective aligned slot 36, as seen in FIG. 6, and passes 
over the wheels as seen in FIG. 5, one end of the strap having screw 
member 40 affixed thereto with the opposite free end adapted to be 
received in said screw member. 
However, it is noted that to provide a rigid securing mount, there is also 
provided for each securing means a pair of wedge-shaped holding-block 
members 42 having an arcuate surface 43. Holding-block members 42 are 
positioned so that the wheel is cradled therebetween, engaging the arcuate 
surface 43 of each opposing block 42. That is, one block is positioned in 
front of the wheel and the second block is positioned abutting the rear of 
the wheel, as shown in FIG. 2. 
Accordingly, strap 38 extends around the blocks and the respective wheel, 
thus securing the ski shoe in a rigid manner to the wheel only. Hence, 
each shoe is capable of moving individually with its respective wheel. 
When the shoe 14 passes over an irregular surface, it will move with its 
associated wheel 24 about axle 22. 
Thus, the maneuverability of the skateboard with the ski shoes attached 
thereto is very similar to the skateboard in normal use with just the 
wheels. 
The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the 
foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be 
made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the 
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, or 
sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbefore 
described being merely by way of example; and I do not wish to be 
restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except as defined 
in the accompanying claims.