Abstract:
A skating device having clips that allows a rider to position the sole of a shoe beneath to the lip so as to secure a rider&#39;s shoe to the platform. The clip may be permanently or releasably secured and sized to fit conventional shoes. A professional version includes a specialty shoe that provides additional securement. Releasably secured clips may be concealed to allow the skateboard to be used in a conventional manner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to skateboards and more particularly to a skateboard attachment for gripping shoes. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Skateboarding includes a colorful history dating back to the 1950&#39;s when the public began to equate skateboarding to the well established sport of surfing. Skateboarding was found as a substitute for surfing wherein an individual could improve balancing skills, a common element between the sports. Skateboarding was originally limited to streets and sidewalks and consisted of a board with clay wheels mounted to a bottom side. In the 1970&#39;s, urethane wheels were introduced leading to a significant improvement by providing a stronger wheel that could handle slalom and downhill skateboarding. 
     To accommodate the vast improvement in skateboards, skate parks were built moving the skateboarder from a horizontal plane to vertical. Trick or freestyle skateboarding developed including numerous aerial moves named after the inventor “ollies” where a rider taps on the tail of a board with one foot and sliding the other allows a rider to jump over immovable objects. Rollerblading has invaded most every skateboard park even though the sports are distinct. However, skateboarding remains safer than rollerblading and maintains a following who developed a “streetstyle” wherein technical tricks add to the enjoyment with or without the use of a skatepark. 
     The skateboard has evolved from a flat wood plank with clay wheels to polyurethane or wood platforms with frictionless bearings supporting polyurethane wheels. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,121 discloses a grip accessory for skateboards. This accessory consists of an elevated pedestal located along each end of a skateboard. The objective of the pedestal is to allow a rider to perform handstands as well as the shoes of a rider to fit under the pedestal. The pedestal is large and may act as an obstruction to the use of the board and safety of an individual. Placement of the foot beneath the pedestal inhibits quick release. Further, the size of the pedestals are so large that freestyle skateboarding is dictated by the pedestal configuration. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,172 discloses a skateboard having boots secured to the top portion of the skateboard platform. Although this attachment securely fastens a rider&#39;s feet to the platform, this attachment limits use of the board to skateboard parks where no foot push is required. The rigid attachment is also considered unacceptable should the rider fall. 
     Thus, what is lacking in the art is a means for securing shoes to a skateboard that does not inhibit normal use or add to the bulk of a board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a skating device formed from a conventional skateboard oblong platform. The platform is supported by a pair of roller assemblies mounted proximate to a tail end section and a second pair of roller assemblies mounted proximate to a front end section of the platform. In a preferred embodiment, the skating device includes the use of a clip secured to the top surface of the platform along the tail section and the front section. The clips each include a lip or projection that allows a rider to position the sole of a shoe beneath the lip so as to secure the rider&#39;s shoe to the platform. The clip may be bolted, glued, or clamped allowing for the modification of existing skateboard to include use of the clip. Further, such installation methods can allow disassembly of the clips for use of the skateboard without the shoe locks if a single clip is desired or in need of replacement. Alternatively, the clips can be formed integral with the platform. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the clips can be raised for use and stored when not in use by lowering. In this embodiment, the clips can be lowered when not in use to a position flush with the upper surface of the platform. A rider can use the skateboard in its ordinary manner and then raise one or both of the clips to engage the soles of their shoes. The clips can further be removed without the need for tools. 
     In yet another embodiment, the clips can be formed to engage a speciality shoe wherein the clips operate in the same format as the previous embodiments, however, a modified shoe is adapted to provide superior attachment necessary for competitive freestyle boarding. 
     Thus, an objective of the invention is to disclose the use of hooks for securing the sole of a shoe, and thus the foot placed within the shoe, to the skateboard. 
     Still another objective of the invention is to disclose shoe attachments that are indiscrete and do not inhibit foot removal when necessary. 
     Another objective of the invention is to disclose the use of removable or retractable hooks that allow the use of a skateboard without surface protrusions. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention having the clips extending over the surface of the board; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a clip in a raised position; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a clip in a stored position; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial side view illustrating the use of a conventional shoe engaging a clip; and 
     FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a clip illustrating a modified shoe engaging a clip. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, set forth is a perspective view of a skateboard  10  comprising an oblong platform  12  having a top surface  14 , a bottom surface  16 , a front end section  18 , and a tail end section  20 . A first pair of roller assemblies  22  mounted to the bottom surface  16  and proximate to the tail end section  20  operates with a second pair of roller assemblies  24  which are also mounted to the bottom surface  16  and located proximate to the front end section  18 . The use of a platform  12  and roller assemblies  22 ,  24  (wheels) are well known in the art and can be constructed of any number of materials including plastic or wood, or combination thereof. 
     A first clip  30  formed from a rigid material such as polyurethane, metal, or the like rigid material and can be permanently secured to the top surface  14  proximate to the tail end section  20 . The first clip includes a vertical upright  32  sized to extend a distance dl above the lip of a shoe sole terminating with a horizontal extension  34  projecting toward the front end section  18  a width wl which permits extension over the edge or “lip” of a shoe sole. For instance, common deck shoes such as those manufactured under the name DOCKSIDERS have a sole with leather uppers sewn to the sole leaving an exposed lip approximately ⅛ inch thick by ¼ inch width. The distance dl of vertical upright  32  and width of horizontal extension wl is sized to accommodate the shoe sole arrangement. In addition, it is well known that shoe soles are flexible which is necessary to walk. This flexibility provides a relief should a rider fall as will be explained later in this specification. The clip  30  includes an upper angled surface  36  that allows for a comfortable placement between the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The clip  30  can be permanently secured to the platform  12  by a fastener such as a bolt, screw, glue or the like. Alternatively, a permanent attachment may consist of forming the clip as an integral process in the formation of the platform. The clip allows a rider to hook their shoe beneath the clip so as to temporarily secure their shoe, and thus their foot, to the platform. The clip  30  allows the rider to freestyle, such as jump, without holding on to the platform. Should the rider fall, the inherent flexibility of shoe sole will instantly allow release of the rider&#39;s foot. 
     A second clip  40  is also formed from a rigid material such as polyurethane, metal or the like rigid material and can be permanently secured to the top surface  14  proximate to the front end section  18 . The second clip includes a vertical upright  42  sized to extend a distance d 2  above the lip of a shoe sole terminating with a horizontal extension  44  projecting toward the rear end section  20  a width w 2  which permits extension over the edge or “lip” of a shoe sole. The distance d 2  of vertical upright  42  and width of horizontal extension w 2  is sized to accommodate the shoe sole arrangement which may or may not be the same style shoe worn on the other foot of the rider. The clip  40  includes an upper angled surface  46  that allows for a comfortable placement between the shoe sole and the shoe upper. The clip  40  can be permanently secured to the platform  12  by a fastener such as a bolt, screw, glue or the like. Alternatively, a permanent attachment may consist of forming the clip as an integral process in the formation of the platform. As with the first clip  30  the second clip  40  allows a rider to hook their shoe beneath the clip so as to temporarily secure their shoe, and thus their foot, to the platform. The clip  40  also allows the rider to freestyle, such as jump, without holding on to the platform. Should the rider fall, the inherent flexibility of the shoe sole will instantly allow release of the rider&#39;s foot. The first and second clip are preferably located along a longitudinal axis which is defined as a center axis running along the middle of the platform. 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, set forth is the partial view of a skateboard consisting of a platform  50  having wheels  52  located along bottom surface  54  of the platform. In this embodiment, clip  56  is depicted in a raised position having a bottom vertical extension  58 , a vertical upright  60  and an upper horizontal extension  62 . As with the previous embodiments, the vertical upright  60  provides a spacial distance d 3  between the platform and the upper vertical extension  62 . Similarly the upper vertical extension  62  projects over the platform a width w 3  sufficient to engage a shoe sole. 
     In operation a shoe fits beneath the upper horizontal extension  62  and against vertical upright  60  whereas in the previous embodiment the shoe of the rider is secured to the platform. As the individual pushes forward or upward the lower horizontal extension  58  is locked against the bottom surface  54  so as to prevent movement of the clip. When the clip is not in use, the upper horizontal extension is pushed into platform cavity  66  wherein it becomes flushed with the upper surface  68  of the platform and lower horizontal extension  58  is dislodged from the lower surface  54 . As shown in FIG. 4 the clip is in a stored position wherein the upper portion of horizontal extension  62  is shown flush with the surface  68  of the platform  50  allowing an individual to stand directly over the clip  60  allowing use of the skateboard in its normal and everyday fashion. 
     Not shown are various alternative embodiments for hooking of the clip in a removable fashion, such as the use of a hinge so as the clip may be raised or lowered for use. In such an embodiment the clip would consist of an upright vertical section and a horizontal extension as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and when placed in a stored position the vertical extension is laid horizontal while the horizontal extension is placed into a vertical position wherein the clip is simply laid onto the platform with the upper portion extending through the platform for concealment. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a conventional shoe  70 , such as the previously mentioned DOCKSIDERS, having an upper sole  72  and a lower sole  74 . As noted, the lower sole  74  engages the clip  40  securing the shoes  72  to the platform surface  14 . Pressure against the clip only serves to further secure the shoe in position with the chamfer following the contour of the upper sole. 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment wherein shoe  80  is modified having an extended sole  82  for use in engaging a modified clip  84 . In this embodiment the modified clip  84  has an upper extension  86  which is enlarged so as to engage the shoe  80  for use in professional freestyling. As with the previous embodiments a chamfered section  88  allows for a comfortable fit to the upper sole of the rider. Although this embodiment is depicted as a professional version, the clip variation serves to demonstrate that the clip can be made of any size and shape to accommodate a particular shoe sole&#39;s width and height. Further, the platform can be made of any shape or material including raised end sections designed for trick boarding. 
     It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.