Abstract:
An improved skateboard security rack having a pair of support members defining a slot therebetween for receiving the deck of a skateboard. At least one of the support members has a width smaller than the wheelbase of the skateboard received in the slot. Locking structure between the support members and across the top of the slot retains the skateboard within the slot. The locking structure may be separate elements coupled to each of the support members and a lock therebetween. Alternatively, the locking structure may be a lock such as a conventional U-shape lock. If separate elements coupled to each of the support members are used, they may be fixed in place, or movable such as longitudinally slideable along the support members. The support members may be elongated hollow or solid members, or formed in panels. The support members are desirably hollow tubes bent into inverted U-shapes. Bases of the support members may be mounted to a variety of base surfaces such as flat or curvilinear, horizontal or vertical. For instance, the bases may be bolt mounted to or embedded in a horizontal concrete sidewalk. Multiple support members can be mounted in sequence to provide an array of slots. The bases of a number of the support members can be shared or connected to provide modular structures that facilitate installation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a National Stage filing of PCT application No. PCT/US2004/008005, filed Mar. 16, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/614,140, filed on Jul. 7, 2003, which in turn claims priority under 35 U.S.C §119(e) to provisional application No. 60/456,018, filed on Mar. 19, 2003, all under the same title. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a convenient, simple, readily accessible means to secure “board type” equipment when left unattended in public areas.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Individuals that utilize “board type” equipment (such as skateboards, scooters, snowboards, surfboards, etc.) as a mode of transportation and/or for recreational purposes need a convenient, simple, readily accessible method available to secure their equipment when left unattended in public areas. Riders of skateboard and scooter types of equipment make up the largest population of potential users that will be able to take advantage of the apparatus of the present invention. Literally hundreds of thousands of kids, and some adults, use skateboards as a practical, cost effective, and compact method of transportation daily. Common destinations of skateboard users in this demographic are learning institutions, places of employment, retail areas, and various other public areas including community centers, libraries, and parks. If one rides a bicycle, which in many cases is more expensive and less compact than a skateboard, our society provides many more equipment, structures, and opportunities to secure the bicycle than the skateboard.  
         [0004]     There is thus a need for a security lock for “board type” equipment, in particular skateboards. Some attempts have been made to address this need, for example U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0010735, filed Jul. 12, 2001, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0020881, filed Aug. 1, 2003, both to Wuerth, disclose a skateboard storage apparatus. For various reasons this design and others have not been accepted in the marketplace, and there remains a need for a more cost effective, durable, safe, and elegant design.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with the present invention, a skateboard security rack is provided including a pair of spaced apart support members each having a base adapted to mount to a base surface and a portion that extends normally away from the base to a height dimension at least as great as the largest deck width of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. One of the support members has a maximum width dimension smaller than the smallest wheelbase of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. The support members are adapted to mount in parallel to one another at a distance apart that is greater than the largest deck thickness of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. A slot for receiving a deck of a skateboard is defined between the support members. The security rack may be provided with locking structure coupled to both support members for constraining a skateboard in the slot.  
         [0006]     The locking structure may include elements coupled to both support members. For example, the elements may comprise loops coupled to both support members wherein a lock may be used to join the loops, and therefore the support members, together. The loops may be movable on at least one of the support members, and may slide freely thereon. Alternatively, the loops may be fixed on each respective support member. Rather than separate elements coupled to both support members and a separate lock, only a lock may be used coupled to both support members.  
         [0007]     The support members may be formed as elongated hollow or solid members, or hollow or solid panels. In one preferred embodiment, the support members are configured as elongated upside-down U-bends. The base of the support members may be adapted to bolt to the base surface, or the base may be adapted to be embedded in the base surface.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the invention is a skateboard security rack comprising a first and second support members each having a base adapted to mount to a base surface and a portion that extends normally away from the base to a height dimension at least as great as the largest deck width of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. The two support members have width dimensions that are different, the first support member has a width dimension that is smaller than the smallest wheelbase of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. The two support members are mounted in parallel to a distance apart that is greater than the largest deck thickness of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure, a slot therefore being defined between the first and second support members for receiving the skateboard.  
         [0009]     A third support member identical to the first support member may be provided which is adapted to mount parallel to the second support member and on the side thereof opposite the first support member. The third support member is mounted a distance from second support member that is greater than the largest thickness of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure creating an additional slot between the second and third support members for receiving another skateboard. The bases of the first and third support members may be common, or connected to a common base. In one embodiment, the bases of the first, second, and third support members are common, or connected. In an alternative embodiment, at least one other support member identical to the first and third support members is provided mounted to their common base, and at least one other support member identical to the second support member and mounted to its base is provided.  
         [0010]     Desirably, the first and second support members are formed as elongated, inverted U-shapes each having spaced apart ends and an elongated middle portion therebetween. A ring slideable on each of the first and second support members may also be provided for locking a skateboard within the slot with the aid of a lock. Alternatively, the first and second support members are selected from the group consisting of: elongated hollow or solid members, and/or hollow or solid panels.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the invention is a portable skateboard security rack comprising a portable mount base and a pair of spaced apart support members. Each of the support members are attached to the mount base and extend normally away from the base a height dimension at least as great as the largest deck width of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. At least one of the support members has a width dimension smaller than the smallest wheelbase of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure. The support members are mounted in parallel to the mounting base a distance apart that is greater than the largest deck thickness of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure, a slot therefore being defined between support members for receiving a skateboard.  
         [0012]     The support members of the portable skateboard security rack may be formed as elongated, inverted U-shapes each having spaced apart ends and an elongated middle portion therebetween. The base may comprise a pair of spaced apart strips to which opposed ends of the support members attach. In one embodiment, one of the support members has a width dimension larger than the other. Furthermore, more than two support members may be mounted to the base.  
         [0013]     The security rack of the present invention provides users of “non-conventional” transportation and/or recreational equipment, such as skateboards, scooters, snowboards, surfboards, etc., an apparatus to secure these types of equipment in public areas. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary skateboard security rack of the present invention showing a skateboard secured therein;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are end and side elevational views, respectively, of the skateboard security rack of  FIG. 1  again showing a skateboard therein;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are end and side elevational views, respectively, of the skateboard security rack of  FIG. 1  without a skateboard and locking apparatus and indicating several pertinent dimensions;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a series of alternating long and short spaced apart support members defining slots therebetween and forming an array of skateboard security racks of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an array of the same sized support members defining slots therebetween and mounted on a common base comprising first and second strips joining the opposite ends of the support members to form a portable, modular structure;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are top plan views of a pair of cooperating modular structures, one having a series of short support members thereon and the other having a series of long support members thereon;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6C  is a top plan view of the combined modular structures of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  together forming an array of slots for receiving and securing skateboards therein;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the invention wherein a series of alternating long and short spaced apart support members defining slots therebetween and forming an array of skateboard security racks are mounted on a common plate-like base to form a portable, modular structure; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the portable, modular structure of  FIG. 7  with two skateboards shown secured in place and one exploded above the structure. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     The present invention provides an improved security rack for skateboards that is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to install. To secure a skateboard within the security rack, some type of lock is necessary. A “lock” in the present application refers to any device which can bridge and close a gap or space between two support members, either independently or in conjunction with loops, rings, fixed eyelets, etc., non-removably coupled to the security rack. A “lock” typically infers security for the user in that he/she alone has the key or combination. Of course, in some situations of enhanced trust the lock per se could be replaced with a closure of some sort such as a pivoting hook and loop arrangement. Therefore, “lock” also encompasses such generic closures. The term “locking structure” encompasses both a “lock” independently, and in conjunction with these other structures. For example, a skateboard may be secured within the security rack of the present invention using a “U-shape lock” made of a hard material, or may be secured using a standard padlock joining two loops or rings. These variations will become more clear below with reference to the drawings and accompanying description.  
         [0024]     In its simplest form, a security rack of the present invention comprises a pair of spaced apart support members defining a slot therebetween within which a skateboard can be inserted. A lock or locking structure coupling the two support members across the top of the slot encloses the skateboard therein. The slot has a relatively narrow width that accommodates at least the thickness of the skateboard deck, but is less than the overall height of the skateboard including the wheels. In this manner, the skateboard cannot be pulled laterally from within the slot because of the interference of the skateboard wheels with one of the support members, and cannot be removed by lifting it out of the slot because of the presence of the lock or locking structure across the top of the slot.  
         [0025]     A unit of two support members defining one skateboard security rack can be repeated any number of times to provide an array of security racks. Each of the support members can be mounted independently, or one or more can be mounted to a common base. The most conventional usage is to bolt or cast the bases of the support members into a horizontal concrete base surface, although many other variations are contemplated. For example, the skateboard racks can be mounted to a vertical surface with the skateboards hanging with one of their set of wheels resting on one of the support members. Additionally, although the base surface is typically flat, the security racks of the present invention could be mounted to curved or other than flat surfaces. One idea is to provide a carousel arrangement with a circular drum-like base surface having a plurality of security racks mounted therearound. The drum can be rotated to present one or more security racks at the top for easy access.  
         [0026]     With reference now to  FIGS. 1-2B , an exemplary skateboard security rack  20  of the present invention is shown with a skateboard  22  secured therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the security rack  20  comprises a first, smaller support member  24 , a second, larger support member  26 , and a locking structure  28 . Although not shown, the security rack  20  mounts to a base surface such as a horizontal concrete sidewalk.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the security rack  20  minus the skateboard  22  and locking structure  28 . The first support member  24  is shaped as an upside-down U-bend with a pair of spaced apart bases  30   a ,  30   b  adapted to mount to the base surface and a middle portion  32  that extends normally away from the bases (and base surface) to a height dimension H. The second support member  26  is also shaped as an upside-down U-bend with a pair of spaced apart bases  34   a ,  34   b  and a portion  36  that extends normally away from the bases (and base surface) to a height dimension H. The first support member  24  has a width W 1  while the second support member  26  has a greater width W 2 . The support members  24 ,  26  each define respective planes and are mounted generally in parallel with respect to one another so as to form a slot  40  therebetween having a dimension S as shown in  FIG. 3A . Those of skill in the art will understand that to function properly the support members  24 ,  26  need not be planar nor need they necessarily be mounted in parallel.  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, the support members  24 ,  26  are elongated members formed or cast into their respective shapes as shown. Of course, other constructions may be utilized such as non-circular hollow cross-sections, solid cross-sections, or even hollow or solid panel-like members. For example, the inverted U-shaped space within each of the support members  24 , 26  may be eliminated if a solid panel having the same exterior periphery is used. Indeed, the support members  24 ,  26  may even be cast in concrete, in which case the locking structure  28  might include cast in place rings or eyelets.  
         [0029]     The support members  24 ,  26  may be made of a variety of materials that are strong enough to withstand intentional vandalism and will withstand the elements. For example, durable materials that may be used include various metals such as lead, steel, stainless-steel, chrome-molybdenum alloys, aluminum, titanium, etc. Cast concrete may also be used, as well as various plastics, carbon fiber materials, Kevlar, etc. a preferred embodiment is to bend round steel tubing into the inverted U shapes shown and attach flat steel plates to the ends for bases.  
         [0030]     In a particularly preferred configuration, the support members  24 ,  26  are stainless steel tubes having an OD of 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). The tubing is 304 metal, A554 quality, with a wall thickness of 0.49 inches (1.24 cm). Straight tubing is bent into the shapes as shown. The smaller first support member  24  has its ends spaced apart center-to-center between 9.5-11.5 inches (24.2-29.21 cm), and has a height of approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm). The larger second support member  26  has its ends spaced apart center-to-center between 19.5-21.5 inches (49.5-54.6 cm), and desirably has the same height as the first support member  24 , approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm). The bases  30   a ,  30   b  and  34   a ,  34   b  are desirably 2 inch (5.1 cm) square, ⅛ inch (0.32 cm) thick flat plate of the same material as the support members  24 ,  26 . The tubing is desirably TIG welded to the bases.  
         [0031]     The bases  30   a ,  30   b  and  34   a ,  34   b  made be provided with four through holes as shown for mounted vaults, or only two. Depending on the base surface, the mounting bolts are conventional concrete anchors or other such mounting hardware, though the heads should be tamper-proof. In an alternative configuration, the bases are configured to be embedded within wet concrete, thus eliminating the need for bolts. In this embodiment, the bases are typically provided with a serrated or flanged anchor pylon, not shown. Various other mounting arrangements are possible within the scope of present invention, and will not be further described herein.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 1 and 2   a - 2   b  illustrate the skateboard  22  positioned within the slot  40 . Per convention, the skateboard  22  includes a generally planar deck  50  having one or both ends  52   a ,  52   b  curled upward. So-called trucks  54  having axles therein bolt to the underside of the deck  50  and support wheels  56  for rotation thereon. The wheelbase of the skateboard  22  is defined as the distance between the pair of wheels  56  on the front-end and the pair of wheels on the rear end of the deck  50 . The width W 1  of the first support member  24  is smaller than the smallest wheelbase of any skateboard which the security rack  20  is designed to secure. In this manner, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 B, the two pairs of wheels are located on both sides of the first support member  24 . Additionally, the dimension S of the slot  40  is greater than the thickness of the deck  50  but less than the height dimension of the skateboard  22  from the top of the deck at the wheels  56  to the bottom of the wheels. Desirably, the dimension S of the slot  40  is at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), and preferably between approximately 2.25 and 2.75 inches (5.72-6.99 cm).  
         [0033]     Therefore, as seen in  FIG. 2A , the wheels  56  and/or trucks  54  are located on either side of the first support member  24  when a skateboard  22  is position within the slot  40 . This arrangement means that the wheels  56  and/or trucks  54  interfere with the first support member  24  if someone attempts to pull the skateboard  22  laterally from within the slot  40 . In other words, once the skateboard  22  is within the slot  40 , the only way to remove it is by lifting it upward out of the slot, which of course is prevented by the locking structure  28 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 2A  illustrates one arrangement of locking structure  28  comprising a pair of loops  60   a ,  60   b  coupled to the support members  24 , 26  and an independent lock  62  joining the loops. The lock  62  is shown as a conventional padlock, but could be any variety of off-the-shelf lock. The loops  60   a ,  60   b  freely slide on the elongated upside-bend U-bend support members  24 ,  26 , and are shown as circular rings, but could take other forms, such as oval or square. Furthermore, the loops  60   a ,  60   b  could be provided as fixed eyelets or other such loop structure at the midpoint of each support member  24 ,  26 . The free-sliding loops  60   a ,  60   b  are preferable to reduce the cost of the security rack  20 . Of course, the loops  60   a ,  60   b  are made of a high strength material comparable to the material of the lock  62  to prevent theft.  
         [0035]     It should also be understood, as mentioned above, that a single independent lock  62  that can span the slot  40  may also be used in place of the combined loops  60   a ,  60   b  and lock  62 . For example, an elongated U-shape lock may be used to extend between the support member  24 ,  26 , spanning the slot  40 . The height H of the support members  24 ,  26  may have to be increased to accommodate such independent locking structure. That is, a U-shape lock could not pass between the uppermost portion of the support members  24 ,  26  shown because of the presence of the deck  50  of the skateboard  22 , as seen best in  FIG. 2B . This is another advantage of providing either fixed or freely slideable loops  60   a ,  60   b , as the height H of the support members  24 ,  26  need only be approximately as great as the largest deck width of any skateboard which the security rack is designed to secure, thus reducing material costs and space requirements. Cable locks could be used, though longer ones would provide too much freedom of movement to the skateboard and would not effectively constrain it within the slot  40 .  
         [0036]     As mentioned above, a single security rack unit includes two support members and locking structure for securing a skateboard therebetween. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3B , the support members  24 ,  26  are differently sized. That is, at least one of the support members, in this case the smaller support member  24 , has a width smaller than the smallest wheelbase of any skateboard that the security rack  22  is designed to secure. The larger support member  26  may have the same width, or may be sized larger as shown. The main advantage of providing a longer support member  26  is that it protects the opposed ends of the skateboard from damage. That is, without such protection the ends of the skateboard  22  may be kicked or step on. Furthermore, the longer support member  26  provides some additional security in preventing theft of the skateboard. A thief trying to prise the skateboard  22  from within the slot  40  cannot angle it out of the plane of the slot because of the abutting ends of the large support member  26 . However, even with two shorter support members, the width of the slot  40  may be made sufficiently small to prevent any such angling. Indeed, in a minimal sense, two linear posts spaced apart and provided with locking structure over the top may function as the support members of the present invention and secure a skateboard therebetween.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates an array  70  of skateboard security racks of the present invention comprising a plurality of alternating short and long support members. More specifically, a plurality of shorter first support members  72  each having bases  74  thereon are mounted in parallel and aligned with one another. In between each two of the first support members  72 , a second support member  76  having bases  78  thereon is mounted. Again, the second support members  76  are mounted in parallel and aligned with one another, and in parallel and aligned with the first support members  72 . Each of the first support members  72  has a width that is smaller than the smallest wheelbase of the skateboard that the security rack array  70  is designed to secure. Furthermore, a pair of skateboards, such as first and second skateboards  80 ,  82 , may be secured in adjacent slots on either side of one of the first support members  72 . In such an arrangement, the width of the first support members  72  must be somewhat smaller than the smallest wheelbase of the skateboards  80 ,  82  to accommodate the overlapping wheels. By alternating the short and long support members  72 ,  76  as shown, the number of skateboards that can be secured within the array  70  is almost doubled relative to the number of skateboards that could be secured within the same number of pairs of short and long support members. The dimension A between two of the longer support member  76  is indicated and should be between approximately 6.25 and 6.75 inches (15.88-17.15 cm) to accommodate two skateboards therebetween.  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a security rack array  90  having a plurality of identical support members  92  mounted on a common base. In the illustrated embodiment, the support members  92  are elongated inverted U-shapes having spaced apart ends  94  and upstanding middle portions  96 , and a first common base  98   a  and a second common base  98   b  are used to couple the ends on either side of the array. In the illustrated embodiment the first and second common bases  98   a ,  98   b  comprise parallel, spaced apart identical strips which, when connected to the opposite ends of the support members  92 , join the entire assembly in a unit or portable, modular structure. The entire array  90  can therefore be transported and mounted as a unit without necessity of alignment of individual support members.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate a still further security rack array  100  which takes advantage of the common base concept shown in  FIG. 5  as well as having alternating short and long support members.  FIG. 6A  shows a small support member array  102  having a plurality of small support members  104  with their respective ends mounted to common bases  106 .  FIG. 6B  shows a large support member array  108  having a plurality of large support members  110  with their respective ends mounted to common bases  112 .  
         [0040]     Again, the first and second common bases  106 ,  112  comprise parallel, spaced apart identical strips which when connected to the opposite ends of the support members  104 ,  110  form two portable structures.  FIG. 6C  shows an assembly of the small support member array  102  and large support member array  108  forming the security rack array  100 . Of course, the respective bases  106 ,  112  must be aligned and mounted at the proper spaced apart distance to form the array  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are four short support members  104  and three long support members  110  together providing slots for securing six skateboards.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an alternative portable, modular structure  120  created by mounting an array of skateboard security racks, in the form of a series of alternating long and short spaced apart support members  122 ,  124 , on a common plate-like base  126 . The portable, modular structure  120  is also seen in perspective view in  FIG. 8  with two skateboards  130  secured in place and one skateboard  132  exploded above the structure.  
         [0042]     The common base  126  functions in a similar manner as the first and second common bases  98   a ,  98   b ,  106 ,  112  seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in that the entire array of support members  122 ,  124  can be transported and mounted as a unit without necessity of alignment of individual support members. A further benefit of utilizing a larger platelike common base  126  is that display space is created between the support members  122 ,  124 . The space can be used to display skateboard images  134  in their position of suggested placement, or to display mounting or usage instructions or manufacturer information as seen on the small plates  136 . Furthermore, the display space can receive other indicia such as sponsoship, organization logos, or advertising. If the platelike common base  126  is formed of a metal the indicia can be relatively permanently inscribed or welded thereon, or otherwise simply fastened or adhered thereon.  
         [0043]     While the foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the invention, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Moreover, it will be obvious that certain other modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.