Abstract:
The present invention provides improved boards and board materials for use in various sports and leisure context. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the boards are well suited for use in skateboards. The board may be provided with varying numbers of layers of material as well as include various edges and protective guards that are placed on the board. Additionally, the protective edges and guards are integrated in novel techniques, which prevent such guards falling off the board during use. Additionally, the board used in a deck assembly of a skateboard (or other board) is comprised of a novel construction of a lightweight yet rigid material in combination with an even lighter material. Different materials may be substituted in and out of the board in order to adjust the physical characteristics of the board.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/340,472, filed Dec. 7, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved design for sports and leisure related boards and board materials, particularly suited to skateboards. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various boards and board materials are used in a variety of sports and leisure contexts. For example, various “boards” exist in the fields of, among others, snowboards and snow skis, water skis, and particularly skateboards. 
     Additionally, there are a vast number of materials used in these various boards. For example, prior art skateboard materials typically consist of a laminated wood deck to which an axle and wheel assembly (a “truck”) is attached at antipodal ends. However, due the nature of their use, such as the execution of what are commonly known as “tricks” (various flips, turns, jumps and twists), the deck of the skateboard takes a great deal of abuse, typically in the form of stress, strain, and torsion. Similar forces can be found in other sports such as snowboarding, skiing and water skiing. 
     The same abuse often results in the deterioration of wood decks at an accelerated rate. Moreover, not only do the various stresses placed on the boards wear the decks out, but various sliding and gliding into pavement and other rigid objects tend to wear out the boards, typically causing the separation and delamination of wood decks as well as chips, scratches and fractures. 
     Attempts to overcome some of the problems with wood laminate decks have included the use of various polymeric, plastic, fiberglass and metal materials. Such materials address some of the concerns found with laminate wood decks in that separation is less likely and they often have an increased resistance to wear. However, because of the increased cost of such materials, the boards themselves become increasingly expensive. 
     Various measures have also been taken to protect assorted surfaces of the boards including the addition of various protective edges and skid plates which are attached to the boards. For example, plastic edges when encircle the perimeter of the board and skid plates attached to protect surfaces of the board which may be prone to wear. However, these measures are generally added after the manufacture of the board and suffer from various deficiencies including separating from the board. 
     Still further, an important attribute to a board such as a skateboard, is the “feel” of the board to the user. For example, many users prefer the “feel” associated with the weight of a laminate wood deck. However, existing materials which have been substituted for with laminate, tend to have a weight which is different than laminate wood, thus giving the board an overall different “feel”. Likewise, the materials substituted for laminate wood also generally have much different stiffnesses than the wood laminate. Again, this difference in physical characteristic contributes to a different feel to the user. 
     Further still, with all materials known heretofore, there exists little ability to change the weight and/or feel of the board once it has been manufactured. Stated otherwise, the stiffness, weight and other physical attributes remain the same throughout the life of the board itself. 
     Thus, existing boards do not adequately address the aforementioned stresses involved with typical, intended use. Moreover, the physical characteristics, such as stiffness, of the boards are generally inflexible. Likewise, prior art boards deteriorate with use and exposure to the elements at a rapid rate. Accordingly, improved boards and board materials which address these and other disadvantages are desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     While the way that the present invention addresses the disadvantages of the prior art is discussed in greater detail below, in general, the present invention provides improved boards and board materials for use in various sports and leisure contexts, and in particular embodiments of the present invention, the boards are well suited for use in skateboards. 
     For example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the board may be provided with varying numbers of layers of material as well as include various edges and protective guards are placed on the board. Additionally, the protective edges and guards are integrated with the board in novel techniques which prevent such guards from falling off of the board during use. 
     Additionally, in accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the board used in a deck assembly of a skateboard (or other board) is comprised of a novel construction of a lightweight, yet rigid material in combination with an even lighter material. In accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention, different materials may be substituted in and out of the board in order to adjust the physical characteristics of the board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the Figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional, perspective view of a board in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary skateboard in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the skateboard of  FIG. 1  along section line A—A; and 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the skateboard of  FIG. 1  along section line B—B. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide a convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth herein. For example, in the context of the present invention, the method and apparatus hereof find particular use in connection with skateboards, though, generally speaking, the present invention may be equally applicable to various other applications, such as, for example, snowboards, snow skis, water skis or the like. Likewise, though various portions of the specification refer to particular materials, various other materials, now known or as yet unknown, having properties similar to those discussed herein should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     That being said, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention and with reference to the various embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 , an exemplary board (here, in the context of a skateboard) in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. As will be appreciated, skateboard  100  exhibits improved properties over existing board materials as well as improved means of manufacturing the same. For example, the configuration of various board materials in accordance with the description herein, provides the ability to adjust physical attributes of the board as well as offering increased protection of the board materials themselves. 
     With particular reference now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a board  100  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In this exemplary embodiment, board  100  exhibits improved properties such as strength, stiffness, ease of manufacturing and resistance to wear and deterioration. For example, board  100  of  FIG. 1  comprises a core material  110  having an upper reinforcement  120  and a lower reinforcement  130  which are suitably applied to opposing sides of core  110 . Core  110  is preferably manufactured in the generally desired shape of board  100 . For example, in the present embodiment, in the shape of skateboard (e.g., having a rectilinear shape, with or without “kick plates” for foot placement). In this regard, core  110  may be molded, cut, forged, cast or otherwise created depending on the material core  110  comprises. 
     In the present embodiment, core  110  comprises wood or a wood laminate, though it should be appreciated that various other materials may be substituted in accordance with the present invention, depending on the properties desired in board  100 . For example, other exemplary materials include various plastics, nylons, metals and other similar materials. Additionally, as will be described in further detail below, core  110  may be suitably configured with an edge attachment mechanism  140  which assists in retaining a guard  150 , which increases various properties of the board including physical characteristics and aesthetics. 
     As mentioned above, in its various embodiments, board  100  comprises upper and lower reinforcements  120 ,  130  and are suitably bonded to core  110  (e.g., using an adhesive, screw, staple or other equivalent affixing mechanism). Upper and lower reinforcements  120 ,  130  preferably have substantially the same profile as core  110 , and in various exemplary embodiments, have overlapping edges  125  which, as will be appreciated below, assist in strengthening and securing the components of board  100 . In the presently described embodiment, upper and lower reinforcements  120 ,  130  preferably comprise a fibrous laminate and/or various composite materials such as Kevlar™, graphite or fiber glass, though as with core  110 , it will appreciated that various other materials such as various plastics, nylons, metals and other similar materials, may likewise be substituted depending on the desired properties and still fall within the ambit of the appended claims. However, benefits associated with fibrous laminates provide the ability to adjust physical properties, particularly flexural properties based on the angles of the fiber orientations. Similarly, the same may provide the ability for board  100  to have non-homogeneous properties across its area. For example, by varying fiber orientations, board  100  may be stiffer at its center, yet less stiff at its ends. 
     Now, with continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , as mentioned above, various embodiments of board  100  may include various components such as guard  150 . For example, in the presently described embodiment, guard  150  comprises a circumferential edge surrounding the perimeter of board  100 . Guard may comprise any number of materials, including various plastics, nylons, metals and other similar materials. In the present embodiment, guard  150  comprises aluminum. Guard  150  may be molded, cut, forged, cast or otherwise created depending on its particular application. In this context, guard  150  thus suitably provides protection to board  100 , particularly around it edges. Likewise, as above, guard  150  may alternatively be comprised of various plastics, nylons, metals and other similar materials. 
     As also mentioned above guard  150  is affixed to board  100  through attachment mechanism  140 . For example, in this embodiment, attachment mechanism  140  comprises a groove  141  in an outer perimeter  142  of core  110  which is configured to receive a tongue  151  configured on guard  150 . Thus, tongue  151  may be inserted into groove  141  in manner which integrates guard  150  with core  110 , and thereby, board  100 . In its various embodiments, tongue  151  and groove  141  may be secured by various manners including via an adhesive bond  160  such as a glue. However, various other means may secure tongue  151  and groove  141  such as a “press” or “snap” fit, as well as various screws, nails, staples and other equivalents. Additionally, it should be appreciated that in various alternative embodiments, attachment mechanism  140  may take other alternative configurations. For example, multiple tongues and grooves may be provided, respective orientations may be changed (e.g., groove on edge, tongue on core) and various other interlocking and attachments may be used. in any event, it should be appreciated that a number of means of attaching guard  150  to board  100  fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Additionally, various other aspects of board  100  may assist in securing the components of board  100 , including overlapping edges  125  of upper and lower reinforcement  120 ,  130  mentioned above. For example, once tongue  151  is inserted into groove  141 , overlapping edges  125  suitably extended beyond outer perimeter  142  and attach to guard  150 , thereby further securing guard  150 . Again, as above, various attachment mechanisms may used in conjunction with the present invention, and in the present instance, an adhesive glue is preferable. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, board may further comprise an upper protective layer  170  and a lower protective layer  180 . In such embodiments, upper and lower protective layers  170 ,  180  suitably protect the internal components of board  100  and/or improve various aesthetics and or the functionality of board  100 . For example, layers  170 ,  180  may comprise a non-skid surface applied to board  100  so that users have increased traction. Additionally (or alternatively), layers  170 ,  180  may have various designs and colors which improve the aesthetics of board. For example, layers  170 ,  180  may incorporate various colors, graphics, engravings, embossing or the like. Further still, properties of layers  170 ,  180  may improve the physical properties of board  100 . For example, layers  170 ,  180  may be comprised of plastic tape, thus providing strength and resiliency against scratches, wear, fracture or the like. 
     Accordingly, boards  100  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention realize significant improvements over the prior art. 
     Further still, boards in accordance with the present invention may also exhibit additional aspects. 
     For example, with reference now to  FIGS. 2-4 , board  100  generally comprises a frame  200  which comprises a “skeleton” of the skateboard. As will be described hereinbelow, frame  200  provides various advantages to board  100  including improved physical characteristics and the ability to change those characteristics. 
     In the presently described embodiment, frame  110  is comprised of aluminum and in its various embodiments, frame  200  may be comprised of molded, cast or otherwise forged aluminum depending on the particular aspects of the application of board  100 , preferably in the generally desired shape of board  100 . Of course, it should also be appreciated that in various other embodiments of the present invention, materials other than aluminum may be substituted. For example, materials having properties similar to aluminum, namely, substantially rigid and having a desirable strength to weight ratio may be used. For example, materials such as titanium, molybdenum, fiberglass and/or various composite materials may suitably be substituted for the aluminum frame mentioned herein. 
     In the presently described embodiment, frame  200  further comprises a plurality of windows  210 . Windows  210  suitably allow various materials to be integrated with frame  200 , thereby providing the ability to change the look, feel and various properties of board  100 . For example, in this embodiment, frame  200  includes 8 windows  210 . Of course it should be appreciated, that any number of windows may be used, again, depending on the application of board  100 . Additionally, windows  210  may have various shapes and configurations. For example, in the present instance, windows  210  are configured with a generally rectilinear shape. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that windows  210  may be configured with any number of shapes and sizes. Similarly, though in the illustrated embodiment, windows  210  are configured as apertures which pass through the entirety of frame  200 , windows may likewise comprise “pockets” which are configured in frame  200 . Thus, in any event, it will be appreciated that windows  210  comprise any suitable configuration which allows the insertion of various property changing materials  220  into windows  210 , and in various aspects, change various attributes of board  100 . 
     To illustrate, in one exemplary embodiment, while frame  200  comprises aluminum, property changing material  220  comprises a different material, such as Kevlar™, graphite or fiber glass, though as with core  110  described above, it will appreciated that various other materials such as various plastics, nylons, metals and other similar materials, or even the same material, may likewise be substituted depending on the desired properties and still fall within the ambit of the appended claims. Property changing materials  220  are configured in substantially the same shape, size of windows  210  so that they maybe integrated into windows  210 . In the presently described embodiment, given that frame  200  and materials  220  each have their own unique physical properties, the combination of the integration of materials  220  with frame  200  change the overall physical characteristics of board  100 . 
     Accordingly, various advantages of board  100  having such configurations are thus realized. For example, the surfaces on board  100 , in the context of a skateboard, suitably are improved with respect to sliding ability. Another aspect of the present invention allows the creation of a variable stiffness deck to accommodate users of various weights or field preferences. For example, the stiffness of board  100  may be adjusted to be similar to that of a laminated wood deck, yet having a much stronger resistance to the stresses applied to it. Similarly, board  100  may be adjusted to have a weight that is similar to that of a laminated wood deck and again, have a stronger tolerance for the stresses applied to it. 
     Additionally, benefits of board  100  include the ability for it to be manufactured with various know and novel manners. For example, board  100  may be manufactured by first cutting the various materials into substantially desired shape. In the event non-prepreg materials are used, they would then be impregnated or coated with glue or another matrix. Next, the materials are stacked and placed in their proper positions in a specific order using various alignment tools as necessary. The stacked materials are suitably placed into a final shape cavity, cutout, mold or other such device. The entire assembly is then cured and the cured materials are then finished (e.g. smooth edges, apply graphic, trucks, binding, etc.) 
     Finally, it should be appreciated that the present invention has been described above with reference to several exemplary embodiments. However, many changes, combinations and modifications may be made to those and other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the various components described above may be implemented and combined in alternate ways. These alternatives can be suitably selected depending upon the particular application or in consideration of any number of factors associated with the invention. In addition, the techniques described herein may be extended or modified for use with other types of devices and should not be considered as limited merely to skateboards. Rather, these and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.