Abstract:
An apparatus may comprise a plurality of boards for use by multiple humans. A first board of the plurality of boards and a second board of the plurality of boards may be connected by one or more cross members. Each cross member may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be connected to a first bracket on the first board and the second end may be connected to a second bracket on the second board.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a multi-person skateboard system. More specifically, the invention relates to a skateboarding, longboarding, or luging device that is configured to connect two or more skateboards, longboards, or luge boards together to make these sports a multi-person team sport. 
         [0002]    Skateboarding, longboarding, and luging have been a one man sport since the inception of these sports. This means one person rides on one skateboard, longboard, or luge board, and the riders compete against each other, making those sports lonely endeavors, with no tandem or team capabilities. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for a skateboarding system that can be used by one or more persons. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a first board, a second board, and one or more cross members, each cross member connecting the first board and the second board. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a plurality of boards, a first board of the plurality of boards, a second board of the plurality of boards, and one or more cross members, each cross member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a first bracket on the first board and the second end connected to a second bracket on the second board. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating an alternative connection of a bracket; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating the connection of an alternative bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0014]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a multi-person skateboard system. 
         [0015]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a multi-person skateboard longboard or luge system  10 , collectively called a multi-person board system  10 , according to one embodiment is shown. According to one embodiment, the multi-person board system  10  may comprise a device configured to allow one or more human persons to ride at one time. The system  10  may have two or more complete skateboards, longboards, or luge boards, collectively called boards,  12  &amp;  14 . In one embodiment, each of these boards  12 ,  14  may comprise decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware, and grip tape as with other boards. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the boards  12 ,  14  may be connected together by means of the following-described components. Brackets  16  may be configured to be attached to the board  12 ,  14 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , four brackets  16  are used. The brackets  16  may be comprised of a hard, strong material, including but not limited to wood, metal, and plastic, or the like. One or more cross members  20  may be configured to be attached to the brackets  16  by means of a shaft  32  inserted through the bracket  16 , and through bearings  18  (see  FIGS. 2-3 ) within ends of the brackets  16 . 
         [0017]    Each cross member  20  may extend from a bracket  16  on a first board  12  to a bracket  16  on another board  14 . In some embodiments, cross members  20  may connect two or more boards  12 ,  14 . In one embodiment, each cross member  20  may comprise a hard, strong material including but not limited to wood, metal, or plastic. The cross member  20  may be of varying shapes depending on the desired flexibility. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the cross members may be adjustable to provide for different lengths. For example, in one embodiment, each cross member may be tubular, and may comprise an inner tube portion  30 , and an outer tube portion  28 , which can be slid with respect to each other to expand or contract the length of the cross member  20 , or may be completely disengaged from each other. Each inner tube portion  30  may have one or more spring-loaded button locks  26  that can be pushed in while the inner tube portion  30  is inserted into the outer tube portion  28 . When the desired cross member  20  length is achieved, the button lock  26  may then be allowed to be extended through one of one or more adjustment holes  24  cut in the outer tube portion  28 . 
         [0019]    Each of the inner tube portion  30  and outer tube portion  28  may have hand grips  22  for gripping by the users during use of the system  10 . 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is shown. In  FIG. 2 , the bearings  18  within the ends of the cross members  20  permit the cross members  20  to pivot at the bracket. Further, the manner in which the bearings  18  allow the cross members  20  to turn through a range of angles with respect to each of the boards  12 ,  14  is shown in phantom. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is shown. In particular, detail of how the bearings  18  fit into the ends of the cross members  20  are shown. Each end of the cross members  20  may fit into the bracket  16 , and each shaft  32  may fit through a bracket  16  to attach an end of a cross member  20  to the boards  12 ,  14 . Snap rings  34  may snap on ends of the shafts  32  to secure the shafts to the brackets  16 , and therefore the brackets to the cross members  20 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 4  an alternative embodiment of the system  10  illustrating an alternative connection of an alternative bracket  116  is shown. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the bracket  16  may be attached to a clamp  36  that fits around the board  14 . The claim may have a hinge  38 , allowing the brackets  116  to be removable from the board  14  when attachment to another board (e.g.,  12  in  FIG. 1 ) is not desired. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the system  10  illustrating an alternative connection of an alternative bracket  216  is shown. The bracket  216  of  FIG. 5  may comprise bracket pins  40  on the bottom portion to allow snapping of the bracket  216  to a mounting plate  42  attached to the board  14 , allowing the brackets  216  to be removable from the board  14  when attachment to another board (e.g.,  12  in  FIG. 1 ) is not desired. 
         [0024]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.