Toy finger board with removably attachable finger shoes and method of manufacturing the same

A toy finger board kit includes a board and at least one shoe. Each shoe includes a finger hole in an upper of the shoe and at least one bracket on a sole of shoe. The at least one bracket is configured to removably attach the at least one shoe to the board. In some instances, the board is formed by inserting a flange portion of a toy finger skateboard truck into a flange receiver of a toy finger skateboard deck. Then, the toy finger skateboard truck is moved such that a column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck is received by a through hole of the toy finger skateboard deck. Finally, a top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck is affixed to the toy finger skateboard truck to the toy finger skateboard deck.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toy finger boards, and more specifically to toy finger boards associated with finger shoes, which are configured to be removably attached to the finger boards. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a toy finger skateboard.

BACKGROUND

In the toy industry, toy finger boards have become an extremely popular and well-known play option for both children and adults. Directed largely to children and collectors, these toy finger boards typically resemble and have features similar to the life-sized boards used for the corresponding sport. Some of the most popular toy finger boards are toy finger skateboards, however, other toy finger boards such as toy finger snowboards, surfboards, wakeboards, and wakeskate boards have been made. However, while the appearances and physical size, as well as other design properties, have been stressed and improved upon to provide greater cohesiveness with the corresponding life-size boards, the functionality and manufacture of toy finger boards has remained relatively unchanged and, thus, is in need of constant enhancement and improvement.

The functionality of existing toy finger skateboards is limited because the existing toy finger skateboards are not configured to be removably attachable to the user's finger tips. In this regard, a user playing with an existing toy finger skateboard may only be limited to performing tricks on a flat surface such as a floor, desk, or table. Tricks performed with toy finger skateboards on flat surfaces are often referred to as flat ground tricks and are generally difficult to perform using toy finger skateboards, especially for children. Further, it is even more difficult to perform aerial tricks using existing toy finger skateboards, i.e., without the user grabbing the toy finger skateboard with the user's fingertips, which would obviate the preferred manner of play in which the user uses only two fingers to imaginatively replicate the legs of a life-size skateboarder. Therefore, existing toy finger skateboards limit the play modes with which the toy finger skateboard can be used. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy finger skateboard with additional enhancements and play modes.

Additionally, the existing processes by which toy finger skateboards are manufactured are in need of constant enhancement and improvement. Toy finger skateboards are typically manufactured such that the constituent elements of the toy finger skateboards largely correspond to the constituent elements of life-size skateboards. For example, existing toy finger skateboards often use miniature nuts and bolts to connect miniature trucks to a miniature deck of the toy finger skateboard in a similar way that nuts and bolts are used to connect the trucks to the deck of a life-sized skateboard. The many components used to manufacture and assemble existing toy finger skateboards frequently complicates the manufacturing process because several different machines and processes are often required to manufacture and assemble the many individual components.

Further, in instances in which existing toy finger skateboards are packaged and sold in a disassembled manner, packaging is more complicated due to the individual components, and the small components may be cumbersome to assemble for the user with poor eyesight or a user that is not particularly dexterous, which may be the case for many children. These small components may also be easily lost or misplaced. If one or more of the small components are lost or misplaced, the structural integrity of the toy finger skateboard may be compromised or the toy finger skateboard may be rendered inoperative. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method of manufacturing a toy finger skateboard that reliably secures the miniature trucks to the miniature deck in a cost effective manner and/or in a manner that avoids the use of small removable structural components that are hard to see, hard to use, and easy to lose.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a toy finger skateboard may comprise: inserting a flange portion of a toy finger skateboard truck into a flange receiver of a toy finger skateboard deck; moving the toy finger skateboard truck such that a column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck is received by a through hole of the toy finger skateboard deck; and interacting with a top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck to affix the toy finger skateboard truck to the toy finger skateboard deck.

In some of these embodiments, the portion of the top end of the column portion may be cylindrical. However, the entire column portion or a portion of the column portion may be any suitable shape. Additionally or alternatively, the top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck may be welded to a seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck. For example, the welding of the top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck to the seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck may be accomplished by spin welding. Additionally or alternatively, the welding of the top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck to the seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck may be accomplished by deforming the top end of the column portion to create a seat flange within the seat portion.

In some embodiments, the seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck may be below a top surface of the toy finger skateboard deck. Additionally or alternatively, a grip layer may be affixed to the top surface of the deck. Thus, in some instances, the grip layer may cover the seat portion of the deck.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a toy finger board kit may include a board and at least one shoe. Each shoe comprises a finger hole in an upper of the at least one shoe and at least one bracket on a sole of the shoe. The bracket is configured to removably attach the at least one shoe to the board.

In some of these embodiments, a shoe may have a length that is longer than a width of the board. Additionally or alternatively, there may be a first bracket attached to a front end of the sole and a second bracket attached to a back end of the sole. For example, the first bracket may be configured to wrap around a first side edge of the board, and the second bracket may be configured to wrap around a second side edge of the board, wherein the first side edge and the second side edge are on opposing sides of the board. Additionally or alternatively, the first bracket may be configured to contact a first side edge of the board, and the second bracket may be configured to contact a second side edge of the board, wherein the first side edge and the second side edge are on opposing sides of the board.

In some embodiments where at least one shoe includes two brackets, the at least one shoe may comprise a deformable material and be configured to attach to the board by placing the first bracket on the first side edge of the board and deforming the at least one shoe such that the second bracket wraps around the second side edge of the board. The deformable material of the shoe may be an elastic material that returns to its original shape after deformation, and the deformable material may be a resilient deformable material. Alternatively, the at least one shoe may comprise a rigid material. Regardless of the material of the shoe, the shoe may be configured to slide onto the board from a front end or a back end of the board.

Still further, in some embodiments, there may be an insert configured to be inserted into the sole of the at least one shoe between the first bracket and the second bracket. Additionally or alternatively, the toy finger board may be a toy finger skateboard.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, a shoe for a toy finger board may comprise a finger hole in an upper of the at least one shoe and a bracket assembly on a sole of the at least one shoe. The bracket assembly is configured to removably attach the shoe to the toy finger board. In some of these embodiments, the shoe may further comprise an insert that is configured to be inserted into the bracket assembly such that the sole of the shoe has a continuous bottom surface. Additionally or alternatively, the bracket assembly may include any of the features, and realize any of the advantages of, any embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally toFIGS.1-8, a toy finger board100is configured to be controlled by fingers320of a user's hand300. According to an exemplary embodiment, the toy finger skateboard assembly100may be used with or without toy finger shoes200. Further, the toy finger shoes200may or may not be attached to the toy finger skateboard assembly100. In one embodiment, finger holes222of toy finger shoes200are configured to accept the finger-tips (not shown) of the user's fingers320such that the user wears each finger shoe200on a distal end of the user's finger. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, toy finger board100is a toy finger skateboard assembly. However, in other embodiments, the toy finger board100may be a toy finger snowboard, surfboard, wakeboard, or wakeskate board, and may have a corresponding structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble the same. Similarly, in the embodiment shown inFIG.1, toy finger shoes200are skateboard shoes. However, in other embodiments, the toy finger shoes200may be any type of shoes or boots such as, e.g., water shoes, wakeskating shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, sandals, dress shoes, heels, cowboy boots, or snowboard boots that may or may not have corresponding bindings (which may be removably attachable thereto). As such, the toy finger shoes200may have a corresponding structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble any desirable shoes that may be used with any toy finger board100.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the toy finger board100is a toy finger skateboard assembly that includes, inter ilia, a toy finger skateboard deck110connected to wheels170configured to roll on a variety of surfaces such as, e.g., a surface of a desk, table, counter, or floor.

A grip layer130may be attached to a top surface111(seeFIG.2) of the toy finger skateboard deck110. A bottom surface134(seeFIG.2) of the grip layer130may include an adhesive configured to bond the bottom surface of the grip layer130to the top surface111of the deck HO. Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to a top surface111of the deck110to secure the grip layer130to the top surface111of the deck110. A top surface132of the grip layer130may have a gritty or rough surface and may be composed of, e.g., sandpaper, a sandpaper-like material, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or the like. The grip layer130of the toy finger skateboard assembly100may serve the aesthetic purpose of resembling a grip tape of a life-size skateboard. Further, the grip layer130may be functional and provide resistance and friction between the deck110and the shoes200, particularly when the inserts260are within the soles240of the shoes200, which are further described below with reference toFIGS.6A and6B. In an alternative embodiment, the grip layer130is not included in the toy finger skateboard assembly100; instead, the top surface111of the toy finger skateboard deck110, in and of itself, have a gritty or rough surface.

As noted above, the toy finger board100is not necessarily limited to a toy finger skateboard. Accordingly, instead of a toy finger skateboard deck110, the toy finger board100may be a snowboard, surfboard, wakeboard, or wakeskate board. In this regard, the top surface132of the grip layer130may not resemble grip tape of a life-size skateboard and may not include a gritty or rough surface. For example, the grip layer130may be composed of, e.g., a soft, high-traction, water-resistant foam material. Such foam material may comprise, e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), poly ethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), or a polyethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. In the case of a toy finger surfboard, the grip layer130may resemble a life-size surfboard's traction pad, also known as a stomp pad, and may be affixed to a portion of a back end of a top surface111of the toy finger surfboard. In the case of a toy finger wakeskate board, the grip layer130may be similar in composition and appear as a grip layer of a life-size wakeboard. In the case of a toy finger snowboard or wakeboard, there may not be a grip layer130as the user's fingers might be attached to the toy finger snowboard or wakeboard via bindings.

Referring now toFIG.2, an exploded view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100is shown. The toy finger skateboard assembly100generally includes a deck110, two truck assemblies140, and an optional grip layer130.

The deck110may generally include a top surface111, a bottom surface112, a first end113, a second end114, a first side115, and a second side116. The top surface111and bottom surface112; the first end113and second end114; and the first side115and second side116are generally on respectively opposing sides of the deck110. That is, the deck110may extend from the top surface111to the bottom surface112(e.g., in a height or y-direction); from the first end113to the second end114(e.g., in a length or x-direction); and from the first side115to the second side116(e.g., in a width or z-direction).

The deck110may have curves along the length and the width of the board, which may resemble the curves of a life-sized classic skateboard. With respect to the curve along the length of the board, on the distal ends of the first end113and the second end114, there may be “tails” that curve upward from the center of the top surface111. These tails may be used to “kick” the toy finger skateboard assembly100into the air, e.g., to perform an “ollie” or other ground tricks. With respect to the curve along the width of the board, there may a slight concave curve from the first side115to the second side116. This curve along the width of the board may be useful when performing “flip tricks” with the toy finger skateboard assembly100. For example, a user may perform the aerobatic maneuver of a “kickflip” with the toy finger skateboard assembly by first using the tail to “kick” the toy finger skateboard assembly100into the air, and while the board is in the air, using a finger to apply pressure to either the first side115or the second side116such that the toy finger skateboard assembly100performs a spiral while rolling once about its longitudinal axis. The concave curve along the lateral axis is further described below with reference toFIGS.7-8in relation to the shape of the inserts260and shoes200.

While the toy finger skateboard assembly100shown inFIGS.1-5has a shape that resembles the shape of a classic skateboard, which is symmetrical about vertical planes through the longitudinal and lateral centers of the board, the toy finger skateboard assembly100is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. The toy finger skateboard assembly100may instead resemble, e.g., an “oldschool” skateboard that only has one tail and a curved, pointed nose; a penny skateboard; a slalom longboard skateboard; a technical sliding longboard skateboard; a cruiser skateboard; a carving longboard skateboard; a “freerider” longboard skateboard; a cruising longboard skateboard; a long di stance longboard skateboard; a “speedboard” skateboard; a boardwalking longboard skateboard; a surf style longboard skateboard; or any style skateboard.

The deck110may further include at least one flange receiver118and at least one through hole120. The through hole120may include a seat122and a throat124. A flange receiver118may be associated with a through hole120(i.e., positioned in relatively close proximity) and may be configured to accept a truck assembly140, as further described below. In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, there is a first flange receiver118associated with a first through hole120which are collectively configured to accept a first truck assembly140; and there is a second flange receiver118associated with a second through hole120which are collectively configured to accept a second truck assembly140. However, in other embodiments, there may be any number of flange receivers118and/or through holes120. For example, a finger board might include only a single truck assembly (alone or in combination with features suitable to attach a conventional truck to the deck110in a conventional manner).

Each truck assembly140generally includes a base body142and a hanger150, washers160and162, bushings164and166, and a kingpin158. The hanger150includes a pivot point152, a through hole154, and two wheel pin cavities156. The pivot point152is configured to be accepted by a pivot point receiver148of the base body142. As shown inFIG.2, an upper bushing164may be placed on the upper side of the through hole154is and a lower bushing166may be placed on the lower side of the through hole154. The upper bushing164and lower bushing166may be deformable annular (e.g., donut-shaped) rings made out of materials, rubber, that are configured to deform when the pivot point152pivots within the pivot point receiver148such as when an assembled toy finger skateboard assembly100turns. An upper washer160may be placed on the upper side of the upper bushing164, and a lower washer162may be placed on the lower side of the lower bushing166. The upper washer160and lower washer162may be, e.g., flat disk-shaped components that each have a through hole.

The hanger150is configured to be attached the base body142. In particular, the kingpin158may be configured to be placed through the through hole of the bottom washer162, the center of the annular bottom bushing166, the through hole154of the hanger150, the center of the annular upper bushing164, the through hole of the upper washer160, and finally into the kingpin receiver149of the base body142. In this regard, the kingpin158is configured to secure the hanger150to the base body142of the truck assembly140.

Each truck assembly140is further configured to be connected to two wheels170via wheel pins172, which are configured to be inserted through the centers of the wheels170and into a respective wheel pin cavity156. Each wheel170may be configured to spin about the respective wheel pin172and there may be bearings (not shown) between the wheels and the wheel pins. While the truck assembly140shown inFIG.2includes wheel pin cavities156, which are configured to accept wheel pins172, an alternate embodiment may not include wheel pin cavities156and/or wheel pins172; instead laterally extending axles (not shown) may be unitarily formed with the hangers150. In this alternate embodiment, the axles may be configured to be placed through the centers of the wheels, the wheels may be secured to the axles via axle nuts, and the wheels may be configured to spin about the axles.

The base body142of the truck assembly140may be configured to attach to a bottom surface112of the deck110. A method of attaching the base body142to the deck110is further described below with reference toFIG.8. In addition to the pivot point receiver148and the kingpin receiver149, which are respectively configured to accept the pivot point152of the hanger150and the kingpin158, the base body142further includes a flange143and a column144. The flange143and the column144of the base body142are respectively configured to be inserted into the flange receiver118of the deck110and the throat124of the through hole120of the deck110.

As mentioned, the grip layer130includes a top surface132and a bottom surface134, which is configured to attach to a top surface111of the deck110. Thus, the grip layer130may be configured to cover the flange receiver118and the through hole120in order to make for a substantially smooth and aesthetically pleasing surface top surface of the assembled toy finger skateboard assembly100.

FIGS.3A-3Eshow a partially assembled toy finger skateboard assembly100. In particular,FIGS.3A-3Eshow a toy finger skateboard assembly100that has assembled truck assemblies140, which have been placed within the deck110, but have not yet been secured to the deck110. Further detail of an exemplary process by which a truck assembly140may be inserted into and welded to the deck110is described below with reference to5A-5F.

FIG.3Ashows a bottom view including the bottom surface112of the deck110to which the truck assemblies140are attached. The truck assemblies140include; among other components, the hanger150, the base body142, and the kingpin158.FIG.3Bshows a top view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100prior to or without attachment of the grip layer130. The top view shows the top surface111of the deck110, which includes a flange receiver118and a through hole120. As shown, the through hole120includes a seat122and a throat124that can receive the column144of the base body142(of a truck assembly140). Specifically, the flange143can be inserted into the flange receiver118and the column144can be inserted through the throat124of the through hole120of the deck110.

FIG.3Cshows a front view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100including the deck110, the base body142, the hanger150, and two wheels170.FIG.3Dshows a side view of the finger skateboard assembly100including the deck110two truck assemblies140, each of which include a base body142and a hanger150, which are attached to wheels170via wheel pins172.FIG.3Eshows an isometric view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100and shows the components noted-above inFIG.3Band further shows wheels170and hangers150.

FIGS.4A-4Cshow various cross-sectional views of the partially assembled toy finger skateboard assembly100shown inFIGS.3A-3E. First,FIG.4Ashows a front view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100with a cross section through the centers of the kingpin158and the column144of the base body142. As illustrated, the through hole120of the deck110includes a seat122and a throat124within which the column144of the base body142is disposed. In the embodiment shown, the throat124and seat122are hollow cylindrical sections of the through hole120, with the seat122having a diameter larger than the throat124. However, the shapes of the through hole120, seat122, and/or throat124are not necessarily cylindrical and may have any suitable shape(s) or dimension(s). Similarly, the column144may be cylindrical or may have any suitable shape(s).

Moreover, in the depicted embodiment, the column144of the base body142includes a cavity145that has a cone-shaped cavity having a curved bottom. However, other embodiments can include a cavity of any shape or need not include a cavity. In any case, a height of the column144may be greater than a height of the through hole120. In one embodiment, the column144is configured to be deformed from an original state S1, which is the state shown inFIG.4A, to a deformed state S2, in which state the base body142of the truck assembly140is secured to the deck110. As noted above, when assembled, the truck assembly140includes a kingpin158that is placed through the through hole of the bottom washer162, the center of the donut-shaped bottom bushing166, the through hole154of the hanger150, the center of the donut-shaped upper bushing164, the through hole of the upper washer160, and finally into the kingpin receiver149of the base body142. In the depicted embodiment, none a these components extend into the through hole120. However, the depicted embodiment is just an example and the truck assembly140and/or the through hole120is/are not limited to this particular configuration of components, and may be assembled with additional and/or alternative components and/or methods now known or later developed, for example, so that at least some of the aforementioned components are secured with through hole120during installation of the truck assembly140onto deck110.

Second,FIG.4Bshows a front view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100with a cross section through the centers of the wheels170and the wheel pins172. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels170are attached to the hanger150via wheel pins172, which are inserted into and attached to wheel pin cavities156. In one embodiment, the inner surfaces171of the wheels170and outer surfaces173of the wheel pins172adjacent to the wheels170have smooth surfaces to minimize friction therebetween. As such, bearings (not shown) are not necessary and may save cost by minimizing the number of components and simplifying the manufacturing process. However, one or more bearings may be included between each wheel and the wheel pin or the axle to reduce friction and enable the wheel(s) to roll faster. The pivot point152of the hanger150may be placed within the pivot point receiver148of the base body142.

When the toy finger skateboard assembly100is completely assembled and performs a turning motion, the first side115of the deck110may be moved closer to the wheel beneath the first side115and the second side116may be moved further from the wheel beneath the second side116. That is, the deck110may tilt towards side115. Further, the substantially rigid kingpin158may not deform, but instead the pivot point152of the hanger150may pivot within the pivot point receiver148of the base body142; and the deformable upper bushing164and the deformable lower bushing166may compress their shape on the side of the hanger150closer to the wheel beneath the first side115of the deck110.

When turning the opposite direction, the second side116of the deck110may be moved closer to the wheel beneath the second side116and the first side115may be moved further from the wheel beneath the first side115. That is, the deck110may tilt towards side116. Similarly, while the substantially rigid kingpin158does not substantially deform, the pivot point152of the hanger150may pivot within the pivot point receiver148of the base body142; and the deformable upper bushing164and the deformable lower bushing166may compress their shape on the side of the hanger150closer to the wheel beneath the second side116of the deck110.

Third,FIG.4Cshows a side view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100with a cross section through the centers of the kingpin158and the column144of the base body142(i.e., along a center of the width of deck110). In the illustrated embodiment, the flange143of the base body142is disposed within the flange receiver118of the deck110, and the column144of the base body142is disposed within the throat124of the through hole120of the deck110. As is shown inFIG.2andFIG.5C, in at least some embodiments, the flange143includes a substantially vertically extending portion; and the flange143further includes a substantially horizontally extending portion attached to a top or distal end side of the substantially vertically extending portion. In these embodiments, the flange receiver118may include a through hole that further includes a stepped portion. A top surface of the stepped portion of the through hole of the flange receiver118is configured to be in contact with a bottom surface of the substantially horizontally extending portion of the flange143. The remaining components shown inFIG.4Care consistent with the above-noted description, and discussion of the same is omitted.

FIG.4Dshows an isometric view of the toy finger skateboard assembly100with a cross section through the flange143of the base body142of the truck assembly140that is closer to the second end114(not shown inFIG.4D), which is opposite to the first end113of the deck110. In this embodiment, the columns144of the base bodies142, which are in their original state S1, protrude above the top surface111of the deck110because the height of the column144is greater than the height of the through hole120of the deck110.

FIGS.5A-5Fshow, sequential cross-sectional side views of the truck assembly140being attached to the deck110. In particular,FIG.5Ashows the truck assembly140initially detached from the deck HO. Then, fromFIG.5AtoFIG.5B, the truck assembly140is brought into contact with the deck110. First, as is shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the flange143of the base body142is partially inserted into the flange receiver118of the deck110. In one embodiment, the truck assembly140is tilted to a predetermined angle θ, then lifted upward and toward the distal end of the deck110(in this embodiment, toward the second end114of the deck110) such that the flange143is inserted into the flange receiver118of the deck110.

FIG.5Bshows the flange143of the base body142partially inserted into the flange receiver118of the deck, BetweenFIG.5BandFIG.5C, the base body142is rotated (in the embodiment shown, in a clockwise direction about an axis extending horizontally in a direction parallel to the width of the deck110) such that the column144is inserted into the through hole120of the deck110. The column144is particularly configured to be inserted into and through the throat124of the through hole120of the deck110. The column144shown inFIG.5AthroughFIG.5Cis the column144in its original state S1.

FIG.5Cshows the column144having been rotated and inserted into the throat124of the through hole120of the deck110.FIG.5Cfurther shows a welder400in a first position. The welder400may be, e.g., any welder capable of softening and deforming a material of the column144, such as a friction stir spot welding machine, a spin welding machine, etc., and may include a pin440, which may have a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the cavity145of the column144. In one embodiment, the welder400is a spin welder, which generates heat by rotational friction to deform the column144. In this regard, the welder400may execute rotational motion to heat and deform the column144, which may consist of theromoplastic material. In an alternative embodiment, if predetermined portions of the deck110and truck assembly140are composed of metal, the top end146of the truck assembly140may be affixed to the seat122of the deck110via welding, e.g., gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, and/or flux-cored arc welding. Further, the welder400may affix the column144to the deck110via any method of attaching components now known or later developed. Accordingly, the welder400does not necessarily rotate.

In the embodiment shown, betweenFIG.5CandFIG.5D, the welder400and the toy finger skateboard assembly100are moved relative to one another such that a bottom surface420of the welder400comes into contact with a top end146of the column144. In one embodiment, in addition to being configured for rotational motion, the welder400is configured to move up and down. In an alternative embodiment, the welder400performs rotational motion in a fixed vertical position, and a grip or platform on which the toy finger skateboard assembly100is affixed moves up and down such that the toy finger skateboard assembly100is brought toward and away from the welder400. In yet another embodiment, both the welder400and the toy finger skateboard assembly100are configured to may move vertically/longitudinally. For simplicity, the toy finger skateboard assembly100inFIG.5CthroughFIG.5Fremains in a fixed spatial position, and the welder400moves vertically relative to the toy finger skateboard assembly100. Thus, fromFIG.5CtoFIG.5E, the welder400spins and moves downward; and fromFIG.5EtoFIG.5F, the welder400moves upward (with or without spinning).

FIG.5Dshows the welder400in a second position in which the bottom surface420of the welder400is in contact with the top end146of the column144. In the illustrated embodiment, the welder400is a spin welder in the process of rotating, and the truck assembly140is generally held in a fixed position such that the truck assembly140does not execute rotational motion as a result of its contact with the welder400. When the bottom surface420of the welder400contacts the top end146of the column144, (1) heat is generated by the rotational friction therebetween and (2) the pin440of the welder400is moved toward bottom surface of the cavity145of the column144, i.e., the welder400is moved downward such that the column144is deformed via spin welding. FromFIG.5DtoFIG.5E, the column144is deformed from the original state S1to the deformed state S2.

FIG.5Eshows the welder400in a third position in which the nose440of the welder400has been moved to (or substantially adjacent to) the bottom surface of the cavity145of the column144. In this embodiment, the welder400will have moved to its lowest position such that the column144has been deformed to the deformed state S2via spin welding of the welder400. As noted above, fromFIG.5EtoFIG.5Fin the embodiment shown, the welder400lifts upward away from the deck110.

FIG.5Fshows the welder400in a fourth position in which the welder400is no longer in contact with the column144of the base body142. InFIG.5F, the truck assembly140has been attached to the deck110. Specifically, the column144has been deformed to the deformed state S2such that the top end146of the column144has been deformed to contact the seat122of the through hole120of the deck110, i.e., the column144is deformed into a seat flange. In this regard, the combination of the flange143and the deformed column144in the form of a seat flange prevent the truck assembly from moving in any direction, i.e forward, backward, left, right, upward, and downward, relative to the deck110. That is, this combination of couplings eliminates all degrees of freedom between the main body142of a truck assembly140and the deck110. While this process of attaching the truck assembly140to the deck110is illustrated with respect to the truck assembly140closer to the second end114, the same process may be repeated with the other truck assembly140closer to the first end113. In the alternative, there may be two welders400that simultaneously perform the above-noted welding process on the truck assemblies associated with the first side115and the second side116.

The above-noted method of attaching the truck assembly140to the deck110is advantageous in that such method obviates the need for separate components (e.g., screws, nuts, and other such components) to attach the truck assembly140to the deck110. Because these additional components are no longer necessary, the manufacturing process is more efficient and can lead to decreased manufacturing costs. Further, because these additional components. e.g., nuts, bolts, etc., are necessarily small and thus easy to lose, the end user or customer of the toy finger skateboard is not susceptible to losing such small components, therefore ultimately increasing user satisfaction.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.5F, the column144is deformed such that the column144in the deformed state S2no longer protrudes above the top surface111of the deck110, Accordingly, the grip layer130may be attached to the top surface111of the deck110to cover the through hole120, the flange143, and the flange receiver118. The result is an aesthetically pleasing appearance and a functional grip layer130on which the user can place his or her toy finger shoes200, which are discussed in further detail below with respect toFIGS.7-9,

FIG.6is a flowchart of a method600of manufacturing a toy finger skateboard, in accordance with aspects of the present application. The method600begins at step602. At step602, a flange portion of a toy finger skateboard truck is inserted into a flange receiver of a toy finger skateboard deck. At step604, the toy finger skateboard truck is moved such that a column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck is received by a through hole of the toy finger skateboard deck. At step606, there is interaction with a top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck such that the toy finger skateboard truck is affixed or attached to the toy finger skateboard deck. This interaction may be welding the top end of the column portion of the toy finger skateboard truck to a seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck. At least a portion of the top end of the column portion, in some embodiments, is cylindrical. However, the column portion may be any suitable shape. The interaction may be, deforming the top end of the column portion to create a seat flange and/or the welding may be spin welding. Still further, the seat portion of the toy finger skateboard deck may be below a top surface of the toy finger skateboard, a grip layer may be affixed to the top surface of the deck, and the grip layer may cover the seat portion of the deck. As noted above, a user may play with the toy finger skateboard assembly100in combination with one or more toy finger shoes200. A user, however, may play with the toy finger skateboard assembly100without any toy finger shoes200, e.g., using his or her fingers alone.

Turning now toFIG.7A through7B, a toy finger skateboard shoe200is shown. In particular, a side view from a first side (showing an “outside” of the shoe) is shown on the left, and a side view from a second side (showing an “inside” of the shoe) is shown on the right. As shown inFIG.7A, the shoe(s)200may generally include an upper220, a sole240, and an insert260. The upper220may further include a finger hole222, which is configured to accept a finger of an end user or customer. The sole240may further include a first bracket246and a second bracket248, which are described in further detail below.

FIG.7Bis an isometric view of a pair of toy finger shoes200with their respective inserts260removed from the toy finger shoes200. Further, the removed inserts260are shown in side views. The toy finger shoes200may be used with the toy finger skateboard assembly100with the inserts260inserted into the shoes200or with the inserts260removed in one embodiment, the shoes200are configured such that when the inserts260are removed, the shoes200are attachable and detachable from the toy finger skateboard assembly100. As shown inFIGS.7A and7B, the shape of the inserts260correspond to the shape of the first bracket246and second bracket248. Further, the shape of the bottom surfaces of the soles240and the top surfaces of the inserts260further correspond to a shape of the deck110of the toy finger skateboard assembly100, to which the shoes200are configured to attach. Specifically, in the embodiment shown inFIGS.7A and7B, the bottom surface of the sole240in each shoe200between the first bracket246and the second bracket248is convex, which corresponds with the concave curve between the first side115and second side116of the deck110.

When the insert260is inserted into the sole240of the shoe200, the user may still wear the toy finger shoe200on the user's fingertip. Further, when the insert.260is inserted into the sole240of the shoe200, the bottom surface of the shoe is substantially continuous between the first bracket246and the second bracket248. This continuous bottom surface of the sole240, which has the insert260inserted, is not necessarily limited to any shape and may be flat, planar, or convex. In other words, when the insert260is inserted into the sole240of the shoe200, there is not a substantial gap extending from the bottom surface of the first bracket246to the bottom surface of the second bracket248. In this regard, while shoes200are detached from the toy finger skateboard assembly100and the inserts260are inserted into the soles240of the shoes200, the user may still be able to “walk” on a surface with the shoes200or perform ground tricks with the toy finger skateboard assembly100with the shoes200attached to his or her fingertips320. Since the toy finger skateboard kit enables a user to use the shoes both while attached and detached from the toy finger skateboard assembly100, the toy finger skateboard kit offers enhanced versatility and thus provides for a more diverse user experience than traditional toy finger skateboards.

FIG.8shows a substantially front perspective view of a shoe200attached to a toy finger skateboard assembly100with a cross section through the center of the shoe200placed on the toy finger skateboard assembly100on a distal end side of one truck assembly140. As shown, the width of the shoe200is wider than the width of the deck110. Further, the sole240of the shoe200includes the first bracket246and the second bracket248, both of which generally include a vertical portion that is configured to contact a side edge of the deck110to which the shoe200is attached. On lower end sides of the vertical portions of the first bracket246and the second bracket248, the first bracket246and the second bracket248further include horizontal portions that are configured to contact a portion of the bottom surface112of the deck110. The first bracket246and the second bracket248may have reflectional symmetry about a plane that vertically divides the toy finger skateboard deck110along its longitudinal center.

As shown inFIG.8, the toy finger skateboard deck110may have a slight concave curve between the first side115and the second side116, and the bottom surface of the sole240between the first bracket246and the second bracket248may have a slight convex curve corresponding to the lateral concave curve of the toy finger skateboard deck110.FIG.8further illustrates the toy finger skateboard deck110may have a shoe bracket125located on and protruding above the top surface111of the deck110and/or the top surface132of the grip layer130. The bottom surface of the sole240between the first bracket246and the second bracket248may further include a bracket receiver249, which is a recessed portion configured to accept the shoe bracket125. When the bracket receiver249of the shoe200accepts the shoe bracket125, which is attached to the deck110, the shoe is generally prevented from moving laterally, i.e., from moving toward or away from the first end113or the second end114.

There may be at least two methods of attaching a shoe200to a toy finger skateboard assembly100, In either method, however, the first step of attaching the shoe200to the toy finger skateboard assembly100is to remove the insert260of each shoe200from the shoe200. This may be accomplished by pressing laterally on a side of the insert260such that the insert260slides out of the first bracket246and the second bracket248,

According to a first method of attachment, the main body of the shoe200, which includes the upper220and the sole240, may consist of a deformable material such that the shoe200is configured to bend or deform and subsequently return to its original shape. The deformable material of the shoe200may be an elastic material that returns to its original shape after deformation, and the deformable material may be a resilient deformable material. Alternatively, the shoe200may comprise a rigid material.

Thus, the first bracket246of the shoe200may be placed on the first side115at a location such that the bracket receiver249is in a position to accept the shoe bracket125. Subsequently, the shoe200may be wrapped around the top surface of the deck110such that the bottom surface of the sole240between the first bracket246and the second bracket248contacts the top surface111of the deck and/or the top surface132of the grip layer130.

Finally, the second bracket248can be wrapped around the second side116of the deck110. In one embodiment, the shoe200makes a snapping noise when the second bracket248is attached to the second side116of the deck110. Either way, both the first bracket246and the second bracket248hug the sides of the deck110. In the alternative, a user may begin by attaching the second bracket248to the second side116of the deck110and wrap the shoe around the deck and finish by wrapping the first bracket246around the first side115of the deck. Similarly, the shoe200may make a snapping noise when the first bracket246is attached to the first side115of the deck110.

In either case, to remove the shoe200, a user may apply pressure to the inside of the first bracket246such that the first bracket246is pushed away from the first side115of the deck110. Alternatively, the shoe200may be removed by applying pressure to the inside of the second bracket248such that the second bracket248is pushed away from the second side116of the deck110. Once the first bracket246or the second bracket248is removed from the respective side of the deck110, the shoe may be released from the shoe200.

According to a second method of attachment, the material of the shoes200is not limited to a deformable material, but may be a deformable or rigid material. In this second method of attaching the toy finger shoes200to the toy finger skateboard assembly100, each shoe200may slide laterally onto the board from either the first end113or the second end114of the deck110. To facilitate this movement, the shoe bracket125may be movable.

For example, the shoe bracket125may be attached to a spring (not shown) and a button or lever (not shown). When the button or lever is activated, the shoe bracket125may be pulled to a location beneath the surface of the deck110; and when the button or level is released, the spring connected to the shoe bracket125may push the shoe bracket125to its original position protruding above the surface of the top surface111of the deck110or the top surface132of the grip layer130. Thus, when the user is sliding a shoe200onto the deck110, the user may activate the button or level to move the shoe bracket125out of the way of the sliding shoe200, and when the shoe200is at a position where the bracket receiver249is above the recessed shoe bracket125, the user may release the button or lever such that the bracket receiver249accepts the shoe bracket125as the shoe bracket125returns to its original position protruding above the top surface111of the deck110. When a user desires to remove a shoe200from the toy finger skateboard assembly100, the user may hold down the button or lever such that the shoe bracket125releases the shoe200, and the shoe200may then be slid off the toy finger skateboard assembly100.

After attaching a first shoe200, the process of attaching the shoe200may be repeated with the other shoe200such that both shoes200are attached to the toy finger skateboard assembly100. Regardless of the method of attachment, after both shoes200are attached to the finger skateboard assembly100, the user may place his or her fingers in the finger holes222of the shoes200and perform tricks with the toy finger skateboard assembly100. At least because of the attachment between the shoes200and the toy finger skateboard assembly100, the tricks may include tricks that the user would not otherwise be able to perform.

For example, the toy finger skateboard assembly100with attached toy finger shoes200enables the user to perform, e.g., aerial tricks without the user needing to grabbing the toy finger skateboard with the user's thumb or fingers of the other hand. This enables a user to perform enhanced tricks while playing with the toy finger skateboard assembly100in a preferred manner, i.e., where the user only uses two fingers to imaginatively replicate the legs of a life-size skateboarder. Consequently, the toy finger skateboard kit according to the present application provides additional enhancements and play modes through the addition of removably attachable finger-tips shoes that selectively attach the toy finger skateboard. As noted above, however, the toy finger skateboard assembly100may be played with or used by the user without the shoes200. Omitting the shoes200may be desirable, for example, to minimize the amount of components included in the toy finger skateboard kit.

While the shoe200may be slid or snapped onto the deck110, the shoe200method or mechanism by which the shoe200attaches to the deck100is not limited to any particular method or mechanism and may use additional or alternative methods now known or later developed.

In one alternative embodiment, the deck110may include one or more holes or cavities (not shown) that are configured to accept one or more components, e.g., posts, that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the sole240of the shoe200. These one or more protruding posts may be unitarily formed in sole240of the shoe200and configured to mate with the one or more corresponding cavities in the top surface111of the deck110. The cavities may be located at one or more locations in the top surface111of the deck110where a toy finger shoe200would typically contact the deck110. For example, the cavity or cavities may be located on the top surface111of the deck110at location(s) above the truck assembly140. In another embodiment, the cavity or cavities may be on the deck110at positions inward from above the truck assembly with respect to the first end113and the second end114of the deck110such that the shoes200, when attached, appear similar to the positioning of the shoes shown inFIG.1. The location(s) of the cavity or cavities, however, is not limited and may be at any location(s) on the top surface111of the deck110.

A configuration that includes posts in the shoes200and corresponding cavities in the deck1110may or may not include attachable/detachable insert(s)260. In one embodiment, the shoes200do not have include the first bracket246or the second bracket248, and the inserts240take a different shape than that shown inFIGS.7A and7B. In particular, the inserts240may have the same length and width of the sole240, may have cavities, which are used to attach to inserts to the posts of the shoe200. In another embodiment, there are no inserts240and the bottom surface of the soles240include the protruding posts.

While there may be one cavity and one corresponding post per shoe200, the number of cavities and number of corresponding posts per shoe is not necessarily limited. For example, two posts on the bottom of each shoe200may mate with two corresponding cavities on either side of the deck110. Alternatively, there may be any number of cavities and corresponding posts on each shoe200. Further, the number of cavities on each side of the deck110may not be equal to the number of posts on each shoe. For example, each shoe200may include only one post, but there may be a plurality of cavities on each side of the deck110such that the user may position the shoe200in varying positions or locations on the top surface111of the deck110by mating the post of the shoe200with one of the plurality of cavities on the top surface111of the deck110. Therdore, there may any number of cavities in the deck110and any number of posts on the bottom surface of the shoe(s)200.

In yet another embodiment, the deck110may have posts that mate with cavities within the shoes200. Specifically, the deck110may include one or more components, e.g., post(s) (not shown), that protrude from the top surface111of the deck110. The one or more posts on the deck110may be configured to mate with one or more corresponding cavities (not shown) in the bottom surface of the sole240of the shoe200. The post(s) may protrude from the top surface111of the deck110at one or more locations where the toy finger shoes)200would typically contact the toy finger skateboard. For example, the post(s) may protrude from the top surface111of the deck110at location(s) above the truck assemblies140. In another embodiment, the posts may be on the deck110at positions inward from above truck assemblies140with respect to the first end113and the second end114of the deck110. The location(s) of the post(s) on the deck110, however, are not limited and may be at any location(s) on the top surface111of the deck110.

A configuration that includes post(s) on the deck110and corresponding hole(s) in the sole(s)240of the shoe(s)200may or may not include attachable/detachable insert(s)260. The sole(s)240of the shoe(s)200may be unitarily formed.

While there may only be one cavity in each shoe200that corresponds to a corresponding cavity in the deck110, the number of posts and number of corresponding cavities per shoe is not necessarily limited. For example, two posts on each side of the deck110may mate with two corresponding cavities in each shoe200. Alternatively, there may be any number of posts and corresponding cavities in each shoe200. Further, the number of posts on each side of the deck110may not be equal to the number of cavities in each shoe. For example, the deck110may include only one post corresponding to one shoe200, and each shoe200may include a plurality of cavities in the sole240such that the user may position the shoe200in varying positions or locations on the top surface111of the deck110by mating the post with one of the plurality of cavities in the bottom surface of the sole240of the shoe200. Therefore, there may any number of posts and any number of cavities in each sole240.

While the posts and corresponding cavities may be cylindrical, the shape of a post and a corresponding cavity is not limited and may take any suitable shape.

In yet another embodiment, the shoes200may attach to the deck110in a manner similar to the manner in which a truck assembly140may attach to the deck110. Specifically, each shoe200may have one or more flange portions (not shown), which are configured to be accepted by cavities, e.g., flange receiving portions, in the top surface111of the deck110. In one embodiment, the deck110may have two different types of flange receiving portions; a first type of flange receiving portion may receive the flange143of the truck main body142in the manner described above, and a second type of flange receiving portion may receive a flange of a shoe200.

The flange of the shoe200may be on a front portion and/or a back portion of the bottom surface of the shoe200. After the second type of flange receiving portion in the deck110accepts the flange of the shoe200, the shoe200may further connect to the deck110via a post and cavity method, similar to that described above; and the post or cavity may be located on the bottom surface of the shoe200on a side of the shoe200opposite to the flange. In another embodiment, after the second type of flange receiving portion in the deck110accepts the flange of the shoe200, the shoe200may further connect to the deck110via a bracket located on a side of the shoe200opposite to the flange. In one embodiment, the flange is located on a front portion of the shoe200, and a bracket is located on a back portion of the shoe resembles the second flange248shown inFIGS.7A and7B. In another embodiment; the flange is located on the back portion of the shoe200, and the bracket is located on the front portion of the shoe and resembles the first flange246shown inFIGS.7A and7B.

In still yet another embodiment, attached to the board assembly100, there may be bindings (not shown), which are configured to accept the shoes100. In this embodiment, the bindings may resemble the bindings of a life-sized snowboard or wakeboard. Further, in this embodiment, the board assembly may not resemble a life-sized skateboard. Instead, the board assembly100may instead resemble a life-sized snowboard, and the “shoes”100may resemble life-sized snowboard boots. In a boots and binding embodiment which resembles that of a life-sized snowboard, the truck assemblies and wheels may be omitted. The bindings may be components separate from the deck110. The bindings and the deck110may be configured such that they may be affixed to one another using the flange and welding method disclosed above with respect to the attachment of a truck assembly140and the deck110, However, the bindings and the deck110may be attached an any other suitable manner now known or later developed. Further, the bindings may be unitarily formed with the deck110.

Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.