Patent Publication Number: US-2015075883-A1

Title: Apparatus And Method Of Powering A Wheeled Vehicle

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of powering a wheeled vehicle. 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Skateboarding has long been a form of transportation, sport and entertainment. Young people as well adults enjoy skateboarding as a fun recreational experience. Skateboarding offers riders the benefit of standing while operating the steering mechanism simply by leaning by various degrees to one side or another thereby turning the board in the direction of the lean. Due to its simplicity, size, low cost, as well as positive emotional experience that the riders feel, the skateboard has not been a passing fad. It is here to stay. Additionally, skateboarding has experienced many variations along its history. Most recently long boarding has become very popular as riders have tapped into the benefits of a smoother and more comfortable ride offered by a longer deck, wider wheel spacing, and larger, softer wheels. 
     Traditionally, skateboards are propelled forward by foot. A rider balances on the board or deck of the skateboard with one foot, while kicking the skateboard forward with the other foot to propel the skateboard. The rider can rest briefly while the skateboard glides forward. Alternatively, the rider can place both feet on the deck of the skateboard, and allow the force of gravity to propel the skateboard down an inclined surface. 
     Powered skateboards have been developed which eliminate or reduce the step of kicking the skateboard forward or relying on inclined surfaces. Powered skateboards include those with gas engines or battery powered electric motors that are mounted on top of or beneath the deck of the skateboard. Such improvements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,026 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,728. The powered skateboards are often controlled by handheld wireless remote controllers. As with a regular skateboard, powered skateboards are steered by a rider shifting his or her weight. The mounting of an engine or motor to a skateboard can often interfere with shifting motions necessary for steering the skateboard. Moreover, adaptations that are required to motorize a skateboard by mounting an engine to the deck tend to be permanent. As a result, most powered skateboards do not ride the same way as their unpowered counterparts. The decks are usually higher off the ground due to the necessity of attaching a battery or engine in a discrete location where it would not obstruct the feet of the rider. Also, powered skateboards are very much heavier, and the resulting ride is awkward rather than fluid. Lastly, due to the trade-off of regenerative breaking these boards typically do not coast and riders will feel a drag due to the effect of being under the power of the motor. Powered skateboards and scooters are also 2 to 5 times more expensive than a traditional skateboard due to the addition of a motor, electronics, and batteries as well as other increased engineering requirements. 
     Some vehicles such as scooters, have been disclosed as being powered by a power drill as disclosed in WO2001017844, however they require substantial modifications to the vehicle in order to mount the power drill to the scooter. 
     What is required is an apparatus and method of motorizing a skateboard which requires minimal modification and cost, and does not interfere with the operation and steering of the skateboard. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is provided an apparatus for powering a wheeled vehicle which includes a cordless powered tool with a rechargeable battery and a rotational chuck. A drive assembly is provided with a first and a second end, the first end is secured to the rotational chuck. A connector is provided at the second end for connecting the drive system to at least one wheel of the wheeled vehicle such that upon activation of the cordless power tool, a rotational output from the chuck of the cordless power tool is imparted to the drive assembly which transfers the rotational output to the at least one wheel of the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the drawings, included for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an apparatus for powering a skateboard, shown in use on a skateboard; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  and a skateboard; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed side view of bevel gears of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a transparent perspective view of a connection; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the powered skateboard illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded detailed view of the freewheel assembly of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the powered skateboard with a rider; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of first variation of the apparatus powering a skateboard; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a second variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a third variation the apparatus in use with a skateboard; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fourth variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of a fifth variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the apparatus in use on a dolly cart; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the apparatus in use on a boat; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of the apparatus in use on a shopping cart; 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of the apparatus powering a skateboard with a rider; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of an apparatus attached to a skateboard; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of another apparatus attached to a skateboard; 
         FIG. 19  is a top elevation view of another apparatus attached to a skateboard; 
         FIG. 20  is a top elevation view of yet another apparatus attached to a skateboard; and 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of the apparatus attached to a skateboard shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus and method of powering a wheeled vehicle will now be described with reference to the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated vehicle  10  in the form of a skateboard  12  with a deck  14  which has an upper side  16  and a lower side  18 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the deck  14  is elongate with a first end  20  and a second end  22 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , two trucks  24  are mounted to the lower side  18  toward the first end  20  and toward the second end  22 . Each truck  24  is provided with two opposed rotatable wheels  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an axle  28  extends through the truck  24 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , trucks  24  connect the wheels  26  to the deck  14 . Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , each of the wheels  26  is mounted on the axle  28  via bearings  30 . Wheels  26  rotate around a rotational axis  34  that is defined by the axle  28 . Each wheel  26  has an inside edge  36 , and outside edge  38 , and a road engaging surface  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated the apparatus  100  includes a cordless powered tool such as a cordless electric drill  110  with a rotating chuck  112 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a drive assembly generally referenced by numeral  114  is shown. Drive assembly  114  includes an elongate drive shaft  116  which has a first end  118  and a second end  120 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , a connector  122  is provided at the first end  118  of the drive shaft  116  which fits securely within the rotating chuck  112  of the cordless power tool  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a drive gear  124  is provided at the second end  120  of the drive shaft  116 . A freewheel assembly  126  is secured to the front right wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  by bolts  128 . It will be appreciated that it could also be secured to the left front wheel  26  or any of the other wheels  26  as desired. 
     In  FIG. 2  the cordless power drill  110  is shown spaced apart from the drive assembly  114 . It is to be understood that the cordless power drill  110  can connect to any normal hexagon, square, or round “drill bit style” end. 
     Upon activation of the cordless power tool  110  by a rider  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a rotational output is imparted to the elongated drive shaft  116  of the drive assembly  114  which rotates the drive gear  124  and transfers the rotational movement to the freewheel assembly  126  to drive the front wheel  26  of the skateboard  12 . As a result the skateboard  12  is propelled forward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the freewheel assembly  126  is secured to the front wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  which has a machined bore hole  130  to receive the freewheel assembly  126 . Although illustrated as being secured one of the front wheels  26 , it will be appreciated that the freewheel assembly  126  could be attached to any of the wheels  26 . Bolts  128  are used to secure the freewheel assembly  126  to the front wheel  26 . Freewheel assembly  126  includes a freewheel clutch  131  with flange mounting plate  132  with a threaded receiving aperture  134  and a hub  136  with threads  138  that mate within the threaded receiving aperture  134 . The freewheel clutch  131  or sprag clutch permits one direction movement known as freewheeling or coasting and engages to lock motion in the other direction whereby torque is transferred from the drive assembly  114  through the freewheel assembly  126  to the drive wheel  26 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6  again, there is provided a quick connect feature general referenced by number  140 . The quick connect feature  140  includes a square post  142  that extends from hub  136 . The square post  142  is received in a square shaped receptacle  144  on the drive gear  124  and has a projection  146  which allows it to remain locked and engaged within the square shaped receptacle  144 . The projection  146  can be overcome with manual force to disengage the drive assembly  114  from the free wheel assembly  126 . The quick connect feature  140  allows the drive assembly  114  to be quickly attached to or detached from the freewheel assembly  126  on the front wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  as desired. It will be appreciated that there are other types of quick connect features and drive post shapes and configurations including the reversal of the male and female connections which will accomplish the same effect. Furthermore, a permanent mounting system could be used instead of a quick connection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the illustrated embodiment, the drive gear  124  includes a bevel gear arrangement  150  that has a first bevel gear  152  with a first gear profile  154  and a second bevel gear  156  with a second profile  158 . The first gear profile  154  and the second gear profile  158  are configured to engage with each other. First bevel gear  152  is provided on the drive shaft  116 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second bevel gear  156  is perpendicular to the first bevel gear  152  such that the first gear profile  154  engages with the second gear profile  158  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , such that upon activation, the bevel gear arrangement  150  transfers the primarily vertical or semi-vertical spinning position from the drive shaft  116  to a horizontal spinning motion required to turn the front wheel  26 . A protective cover  160  overlies the bevel gear arrangement  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the skateboard wheels  26  can be custom machined or moulded such that the freewheel assembly  126  is uniquely mated to the skateboard wheel  26 . Alternatively, the freewheel assembly  126  could be moulded to the outer side  38  of the wheel  26 . It will be appreciated that the freewheel assembly  126  can be permanently or detachably secured to the wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  by use of bolts  128 , screws, or other fastener or fastening system not described here. As discussed above, it will also be appreciated that there are other types of quick connect methods that can be used instead of the one described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the elongated drive shaft  116  can incorporate a flexible section generally referenced by numeral  162  which is positioned toward the bevel gear and utilizes a spring  164  and has a covering sleeve  166 . The flexible section  162  allows the drive shaft  116  to flex or move relative to the bevel gear arrangement  150  but still transfer the rotational output. It will be appreciated that there are other configurations and methods of providing a flexible section  162  on the drive shaft  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible section is a spring  164  which allows flexibility but still transmits the rotational output. Flexible section  162  can be covered by a flexible protective sleeve  166 . Common flexible shafts utilize tightly wound wires in the form of a cable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the drive shaft  116  also includes a telescopically adjustable portion  168  such that the drive shaft  116  can be lengthened or shortened as desired depending on the preference of the rider  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Telescopically adjustable portion  168  also permits the drive shaft  116  to be shortened for ease of transportation or storage when the apparatus  100  is not in use. It will be appreciated that there are other methods that are known which can be incorporated to allow for the drive shaft  116  to be adjusted in length. 
     The use and operation of embodiments of the invention for powering a vehicle wheel will now be described with reference to the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a rider  32  balancing on the upper side of the deck of the skateboard  12 . In his right hand  70 , the rider  32  holds the gripping handle  172  of the electric drill  110 . The rider  32  can activate of the electric drill by finger squeezing the handle  172  which depresses a power button (not shown). Upon activation, the cordless electric drill  110  produces a rotational output though the rotating chuck  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the rotational output is then imparted to drive assembly  114  along the elongated drive shaft  116  which then causes the first bevel gear  152  of the bevel gear arrangement  150  to rotate the second bevel gear  156 . The direction turning movement of the bevel gear arrangement  150  transfers to the wheel  26  as second bevel gear  156  is connected to the quick connect feature  140  to the freewheel assembly  126  to the wheel  26  which then spins on the axel  28  of the truck  24 . This allows the transfer of the rotational movement from the drive shaft  116  to the freewheel assembly  126  to drive the front wheel  26  of the skateboard  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , as a result the skateboard  12  along with the rider  32  is propelled forward. Forward propulsion ceases when the rider  32  releases the finger squeeze on the trigger  172  of the electric drill  110 . The rider and board then coasts while decelerating slowly due to internal wheel bearing resistance, freewheel sprag resistance, wheel to road resistance, and wind resistance. The freewheel assembly  126  allows the rider  32  to simply coast on level ground  182  as well as to glide downhill. Furthermore, the freewheel permits the conventional use of foot  184  pushing to propel the skateboard  12  forward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7 , the inclusion of the freewheel assembly  126  permits the skateboard  26  to roll forward easily and fluidly even though power is not being applied to the wheel  26  from the electric drill  110 . This allows the rider  32  to ‘coast’ without the drive assembly&#39;s  114  engagement or to switch to foot pushing as desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the freewheel  126  is attached to a direction changing drive gear  124  such as a bevel gear arrangement  150  as illustrated or a flex drive by a quick connect feature  140 . The bevel gear arrangement  150  or similar direction changing gear  124  allows the drive of the wheel  26  to be converted from a primarily vertical or semi-vertical spinning motion along the rotational axis  44  defined by the drive shaft  116  to a primarily horizontal or semi-horizontal spinning motion along the rotational axis  34  of the wheel  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the freewheel assembly  126  may be secured to the front wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  which has a machined bore hole  130  to receive the freewheel assembly  126 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 , as described above, the elongated drive shaft  116  can incorporate a flexible section  162  which utilizes spring  164  although it will be appreciated that other types of spring type attachments, universal joints, or flex drive attachments can be used in order to allow the rider  32  to adjust the angle of the apparatus  100  for a more comfortable riding experience by permitting the rider to lean his or her body  186  into or away from a curve without an uncomfortable or awkward posture. The flexible section  162  also allows the apparatus  100  to absorb some of the necessary movement that is incurred during the process of riding the skateboard  12 . Due to the fact that the apparatus  100  is attached to the outside  36  of the wheel  26  off of the freewheel assembly  126 , the rider  32  can pivot the shaft in varying degrees from the centre  38  of the wheel  26  in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction in line with the rotational axis  34  of the wheel  26  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . It will be appreciated that although a flexible section  162  offers the rider  32  a more comfortable riding experience, apparatus  100  could also be provided without this section. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 7 , the drive shaft  116  is shown with a telescopically adjustable portion  168  however there are various known methods of lengthening or providing adjustable shaft extensions which enable the rider  32  to adjust the drive shaft  116  to a comfortable length according to his or her height and riding position. Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 , the drive shaft  116  may or may not have a shaft guard or protective sleeve  174  which protects riders  32  from the rotating drive shaft  116  should he or she come in contact with it. A shaft guard  174  would also help to prevent anything from wrapping around the drive shaft  116  and interfering with its operation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16  in order to help to minimize the effects of torque from potentially exhausting the rider&#39;s  32  arm  176 , riders  32  could rest an auxiliary handle  177  if provided with the selected electric drill  110  which is usually attached behind the chuck  112  of the electric drill  110  against their leg  178 . It will be appreciated that not all cordless drills  110  come with auxiliary handles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , with the apparatus  100  and method described above, many of the less desirable elements of powering a skateboard are eliminated As the rider  32  is carrying the power drill  110  comfortably in their hand  170  there is no need to elevate the deck  14  of the skateboard  12  to mount a battery. Rather the rechargeable battery  180  is carried by the electric drill  110 . Therefore the skateboard  12  can be ridden at a normal height which is preferably low to the ground. This helps to keep the centre of gravity lower and allows for better response and steering ability by the rider  32 . This apparatus  100  and method allows for the rider  32  to experience normal skateboarding movements such as steering and alternating between foot pushing and powered use while riding. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the use of the power drill  110  allows the rider  32  to control the propulsion of the skateboard  12  by delivering power to the wheel  26  through a familiar and comfortable finger squeeze trigger. As this finger squeeze mechanism is familiar, the rider  32  is able to quickly and intuitively understand the function of power delivery and forward movement without altering an individual&#39;s muscle memory for skateboard riding which foot pedal type devices would. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a further benefit is that the apparatus  100  may be removed and reattached to the skateboard  12  with the quick connect feature  140  which can be used for quickly and simply attaching the wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  to the freewheel assembly  126 . Upon detaching the apparatus  100 , the skateboard  12  may be used as a regular skateboard  12 . Referring again to  FIG. 7 , when desired, the apparatus  100  can be attached to the wheel  26  of the skateboard  12  to allow the rider  32  to not have to propel the board using his or her legs  178  to push the skateboard  12  forward. Accordingly, the apparatus  100  allows for any skateboard  12  to be converted to a motorized skateboard  12  with the simple addition of the apparatus  100 . 
     Although this device could be used on any size of skateboard  12 , the most obvious use would be for longboard skateboards which more commonly use larger diameter wheels  26 . A preferred wheel size of greater than 65 mm is considered ideal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , with the apparatus  100  and method described above the rider  32  can use his or her own skateboard  12  without substantial adaptations, and without having to buy a whole new board  12 . It will be noted that many of the present electric skateboards are whole units sold together with a motor already installed. With most prior art electric skateboards, the battery packs or power supply is attached to the bottom of the skateboard deck. This means that most electric skateboards have to have higher deck heights which result in a less stable ride. This is not seen as desirable as most standard skateboards  12  tend toward lower deck designs to permit the rider  32  to maintain a lower centre of gravity which facilitates safer cornering. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , in the present invention, the apparatus  100  allows a rider  32  to use to power their own skateboard with a type of power source which most home owner currently have: a rechargeable electric drill  110 . If the rider  32  wishes to have more power he or she can upgrade to a professional power drill in order to deliver better performance with respect to speed, torque, and distance. Riders  32  may use the most efficient high technology batteries and brushless motors which are not always typically employed for electric skateboards. While an electric power drill  110  is illustrated is will be appreciated that any handheld power tool with the ability to provide a sufficient rotation output can be used in conjunction with the drive assembly  114 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , many people already own a power tool such as a cordless power drill  110  so there may be no need for them to buy one. The cordless power drill  110  can be a professional grade higher output power drill with longer lasting lithium ion batteries or an inexpensive homeowner type power drill  100  with nickel cadmium batteries. It will be appreciated that the style, brand or type that is used is up to the preference of the user. Impact drills would not be suitable due to the foreseeable damage they might cause on gears. For the same reason drills with ‘hammer’ settings would need to have that setting switched off. Also, the rider  32  may select a power drill  110  which has a battery or batteries with greater amp hour capacity to allow for longer rides. Since the apparatus  100  can accommodate a wide variety of power tools such as electric drills, the costs can be higher or lower depending on the power tool selected. If the power tool  110  needs replacement, it can be easily obtained from almost any tool or hardware store. Moreover many cordless drills come with extra batteries which also can be purchased separately and charged for those who require extra distance. 
     Due to the fact that cordless power drills  110  have sold millions in the last 20 years there is a lot of competition in the market place whereby in order to maintain or increase their market share companies are driven to spend a lot of money in product research and development. This funding greatly exceeds the limited resources available from the much smaller market of electric skateboard manufacturers. Therefore, power tool manufacturers continue to have superior motors, battery technology, and electronics. 
     The quick connect feature  140  illustrated in  FIG. 6  allows apparatus  100  to be removed from the wheel  26  in a few seconds thereby allowing the skateboard  12  to operate in an identical manner to any regular skateboard  12  with the same configuration of wheels  26 , trucks  24 , deck  14  and bearings  30  etc. 
     It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment features the drive gear  124  at the second end of  120  of the drive shaft  116 , although transmission of the rotational output may be altered to incorporate a bevel gear arrangement  150  at the first end  118  of the drive shaft  116  adjacent the electric drill  110  of the apparatus  100  utilizing a chain, belt, cable, string, or cord to drive the freewheel assembly  126  attached to the wheel  26 . Using the above mentioned transmission, the wheel  26  could be driven from either the inside  36  or outside  38  of the wheel  26  as illustrated. 
     Though there are many benefits to the apparatus  100  and method described above, it is important to note that the torque produced by the motor of the electric drill  110  requires a certain amount of the rider&#39;s  32  forearm  176  muscle control to overcome depending on the amount of torque produced by the drill  110 , the weight of the rider  32 , and the degree of slope of the underlying surface  182  on which that he or she is traversing. 
     The drive wheel  26  may tend to want to spin without gaining traction until the rider  32  first learns to center his or her weight over the skateboard  12  and smoothly squeeze activate the electric drill  110  allowing for a gradual increase of torque and speed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated a first variation of the apparatus powering a skateboard generally referenced by numeral  200 . With first variation, a belt, chain, cable or cord drive arrangement  210  is disposed between the freewheel assembly  126  and the bevel gear arrangement  150 . This configuration allows for a narrower total width when attached to the skateboard which may make the attachment less prone to being clipped by an obstacle like a road curb or sign post. Furthermore, element  210  may be a short section extending just past the wheel and then attached to the bevel gear whereby drive shaft  116  is the longer portion extending the greater distance to connect to the power drill. Alternatively, element  210  may be the longer section whereby the shaft  116  is just long enough to attach into the rotating chuck  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  is illustrated a second variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard generally referenced by numeral  300 . With second variation  300 , the flexible section  162  of the drive shaft  116  also functions as the direction changing drive gear  124 . The bevel gear arrangement  150  is no longer needed as the flexible section  162  connects directly to the free wheel assembly  126  to transfer the rotational output to the wheel  26  of the skateboard  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  there is illustrated a third variation the apparatus in use with a skateboard generally referenced by numeral  400 . Third variation  400  incorporates attaching the bevel gear arrangement  150  of apparatus  100  whereby power is delivered to second axel  414  connected to two sprocket gears  412  transferring power to belt or chain  410  to two freewheel spockets mounted on the inside edges  36  of the two wheels  26  on the same front or rear truck. This variation transfers torque to two wheels  26  instead of just one like other variations whereby greater traction is gained by the use of two drive wheels. 
       FIG. 11  is a forth variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard generally referenced by numeral  500 . With variation  500 , it is envisioned that the electric drill  110  may be attached to a non-rolling portion of the skateboard  12  such as the deck  14  or the trucks  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, brackets  510  are used to secure the electric drill  110  in place, however there are other means known in the art for securing the electric drill in position. It is envisioned that with this type of attachment there would be required a throttle attachment  512  to activate the electric drill  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  there is illustrated a fifth variation of the apparatus in use with a skateboard generally reference by numeral  600 . In fifth variation  600 , the drive gear is a drive wheel  610  with an internal freewheel  612 . Drive wheel  610  engages wheel  26  to impart rotational output from drive shaft  116 . 
     Although not illustrated, as an alternative to the quick connect feature  140  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , apparatus  100  can be provided with a wheel  26  which can be used to replace one or more of the original wheels  26  on the skateboard  12  as the freewheel assembly  126  has a minimum size whereby wheels of a minimum diameter are required. Apparatus  100  would then be more permanently installed on the skateboard  12 . It is likely that Apparatus  100  would include four machined or moulded wheels  26  with bore hole  130  uniquely suited to mate with freewheel assembly  126 . Due to the fact that the drive wheel will normally wear down quicker than the three other skateboard wheels, by having all wheels moulded or machined in this fashion a rider could easily rotate the wheels on his or her board in order to maintain even wearing. 
     In addition, while the apparatus  100  and method are described as being used in association with skateboards  12 , it could be used to power various other types of non-skateboarding transportation devices including a cargo dolly  700  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a boat  800  as illustrated in  FIG. 14  and a shopping cart  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Although not illustrated apparatus and method  100  could also be used on a variety of other wheeled vehicles including but not limited to: strollers, scooters, carts, wheel barrows, inline skates, as well as small watercraft like kayaks, canoes, belly boats, and float tubes. It will be appreciated that the apparatus  100  will work on other types of wheels  26  that are used for other applications since it can be attached to the outer side  38  of the wheel  26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-21 , various embodiments are shown to attach a cordless power tool to a skateboard. In  FIG. 17 , embodiment  710  is attached to a skateboard without a bracket. In  FIG. 18 , embodiment  720  is attached to a skateboard with a bracket. In  FIG. 19 , embodiment  740  is attached to an added deck on the rear of the skateboard. In  FIGS. 20 and 21  embodiment  760  is attached to a rear truck having a wheel and holding apparatus, which in turn is attached to a rear wheel of the skateboard. A bungee and/or harness and/or cradle can be used to attach a drill to the skateboard deck. As shown in embodiment  720  bungees can be attached to a bracket which is attached to the board. 
     In embodiments  710 ,  720 ,  740  and  760 , a cable throttle is attached whereby the rider would squeeze a the hand held lever which would tighten a loop wrapped around the handle of the drill and across the finger ‘trigger’ of the drill, which in turn would cause the drill motor to be activated. 
     In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
     The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope of the claims. The illustrated embodiments have been set forth only as examples and should not be taken as limiting the invention. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically illustrated and described.