Patent Publication Number: US-9403081-B2

Title: Extruded adjustable skateboard

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/974,141 filed Aug. 23, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/695,461 filed on Aug. 31, 2012, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments relate in general to skateboards generally used for recreational purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional skateboards generally consist of a deck with front and rear wheel assemblies secured to the underside of the board. These wheel assemblies usually comprise a truck with an axle and two wheels. The decks are constructed of wood or a plastic material and are a finite length with a finite location of the wheel assembly. Conventional skateboards are unwieldy to carry. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of skateboard decks and skateboard assemblies each having a unitary body of extruded aluminum, the body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. Each embodiment can further have a handle portion formed in the unitary body and configured to receive one or more fingers, the handle portion positioned proximate one of the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge. 
     Each of the embodiments disclosed herein can also comprise a first truck rail and a second truck rail extruded with the unitary body on the bottom surface, the first truck rail and the second truck rail running along at least a portion of a length of the unitary body and forming a track configured to movably receive a plurality of truck assemblies. 
     Embodiments of the skateboard assemblies also comprise a plurality of truck assemblies attached to the bottom surface. In certain embodiments, each truck assembly has a guide portion movably receivable in a track and selectively positionable along a length of the track. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading the details of the embodiments as more fully described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a skateboard deck and assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an embodiment of a skateboard deck as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of another embodiment of a skateboard deck as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of a skateboard assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a skateboard deck having a unitary body extruded with truck rails; 
         FIG. 6  is the cross sectional view of the skateboard deck of  FIG. 5  with a hanger and baseplate in the track; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a skateboard deck having channels; 
         FIG. 8  is the cross sectional view of  FIG. 7  including protective strips; 
         FIG. 9A  is a side view of another embodiment of a skateboard deck disclosed herein; and 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective bottom view of the skateboard deck of  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of skateboard assembly  1  disclosed herein. The skateboard deck  5  is a unitary body  10  of extruded aluminum with a top surface  12 , a bottom surface  14 , a first longitudinal edge  16  and a second longitudinal edge  18 . Aluminum, as used herein, includes aluminum alloys. By extruding aluminum to form the unitary body of the deck, the deck dimensions can be easily altered to produce custom sized and shaped skateboard decks. The extrusion provides flexible decks, providing improved riding dynamics while supporting the skater&#39;s weight. The extruded aluminum can be anodized or sublimated to provide unique colors and finishes that will not wear away with use. Other advantages of an extruded aluminum deck are discussed herein below. 
     The top surface  12  of the unitary body  10  is configured to support a skater. The bottom surface  14  of the unitary body  10  is configured to retain truck assemblies  20 , as seen in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  are plan views of the top surface  12  of the unitary body  10  of other embodiments. As seen in each of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the extrusion process creates longitudinal edges  16 ,  18  that are slightly flared upward, away from ground level when the skateboard is resting on the ground. The flared edges provide a feeling of comfort and sure-footing to the skater. 
     The skateboard deck  5  in  FIG. 2  has a unitary body  10  in which a handle portion  22  is formed proximate to one of the longitudinal edges  16 ,  18 . The handle portion  22  can be cut or stamped, as non-limiting examples. The extruded aluminum unitary body  10  has sufficient strength that aperture or apertures forming the handle portion  22  will not weaken that portion of the deck  5  to the point of damage when supporting the weight of a skater. Conventional decks of wood or laminate do not have handle portions as weakened portions of the deck (i.e., the narrow portions between the longitudinal edge and the aperture or apertures, as well as between apertures) would not support the weight of the skater. 
     The handle portion  22  is configured to receive one or more fingers of the skater. The handle portion  22  can be an elongated aperture sized to receive four fingers of the skater. As another example, and shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle portion  22  comprises four cutout portions  24  each configured to receive a finger there through. The separate finger cutouts  24  are preferable as the bridge portion  28  between finger cutouts  24  provides additional strength to that portion of the deck  5  when compared to a larger cutout portion. A handle portion  22  can also be fitted with a grommet  26  of a polymer material such as rubber for comfort.  FIG. 2  illustrates each of the four cutout portions  24  fitted with a grommet  26 . 
     The deck  5  in  FIG. 3  is similar to the deck  5  in  FIG. 2  but also includes an additional handle portion  30  formed in the unitary body  10  proximate the other longitudinal edge  16 ,  18  opposite the first handle portion  22 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bottom surface  14  of another embodiment of a skateboard deck and assembly  100 . As shown, a first truck rail  40  and a second truck rail  42  are extruded with the unitary body  10  on the bottom surface  14 . The first truck rail  40  and the second truck rail  42  run along at least a portion of a length of the unitary body  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the truck rails  40 ,  42  are shown running along a majority of the length but with a break in the rails proximate the middle of the unitary body  10 . This is provided by means of example and is not meant to be limiting. The truck rails  40 ,  42  can run continuously along the length of the body  10 , or can be broken up in a different manner than that shown in  FIG. 4 . Running the continuous length of the unitary body  10  means starting at or near a front end  44  and ending at or near a rear end  46  of the unitary body  10 . 
     By extruding the unitary body  10  with the truck rails  40 ,  42 , the remainder of the unitary body  10  can be thinner than without the truck rails  40 ,  42 . The truck rails  40 ,  42  provide support to the thinner unitary body  10  that would otherwise need to be obtained through a thicker cross-section of the body  10 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the deck  5  of  FIG. 4  illustrating the truck rails  40 ,  42 . The truck rails  40 ,  42  define a track  48  configured to movably receive a plurality of truck assemblies  20 . The truck rails  40 ,  42  can be L-shaped as illustrated or can be another shape that is configured to define the track  48 . The track  48  can extend the length of the unitary body  10 , any section thereof, or in multiple sections. As illustrated, the truck rails  40 ,  42  are formed equidistantly on opposing sides of a longitudinal center axis A of the unitary body  10 . 
     Each truck assembly  20  can include a baseplate  50  and a hanger  52 , which have bushings in between. A bolt or kingpin  54  holds these together and can be tightened or loosened to adjust the turning and stability of the truck assembly  20 . The hanger  52  also supports the axle on which wheels  56  are mounted. 
     The baseplate  50  of the truck assembly  52  is a guide portion that is movably receivable in the track  48  and selectively positionable along a length of the track  48 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the skateboard deck  10  including the hanger  52  and baseplate  50 . Each truck assembly  20  is positioned on the skateboard deck  5  by moving the baseplate  50  along the track  48  until the desired position is reached. Note that two truck assemblies  20  are shown by means of example, but additional truck assemblies as desired or required can be used. The truck assemblies  20  can be slid onto the track  48  at an end  58  of the track  48 , such as when the track  48  extends the length of the body  10 . The truck assemblies  20  may also be slid onto the track  48  via a break  60  in the track  48 , such as the break  60  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The truck assemblies  20  can be attached at the determined position within the track  48  by tightening fasteners  62  through fastener apertures within the baseplate  50  against the bottom surface  14  of the body  10  within the track  48 . The fasteners  62  can be screws, clips, pegs, nails, or any other member capable of anchoring the baseplate  50  to the unitary body  10  of the skateboard deck  10 . As a non-limiting example, the fasteners  62  are screws with a hex head (compatible with an Allen wrench kit). The fasteners  62  are inserted into apertures in the baseplate  50  and attach the truck assembly  20  to the unitary body  10  by tightening fasteners  62  against the bottom surface  14  within the track  48 . The apertures and fasteners  62  can be threaded. By tightening the fastener  62  against the bottom surface  14  rather than inserting fasteners into predetermined receivers along the track, the available positions along the track  48  for the trunk assemblies  20  is not restricted. 
     The track  48  can be configured and sized to allow a certain standard size truck assembly to be used with the deck  10  or can require custom truck assemblies for use with the skateboard deck  10 . If the truck assemblies are standard-sized, a skateboard assembly  1  can include a tap which can alter the size of the pre-drilled holes to a size that would allow use with the fasteners  62  provided with the skateboard deck  10 . 
     Another embodiment of a skateboard deck  5  includes a first channel  70  formed adjacent the first truck rail  40  and a second channel  72  formed adjacent the second truck rail  42 . Each channel  70 ,  72  may receive a protective strip  74 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a skateboard deck  5  including the channels  70 ,  72 . In this embodiment, the first channel  70  is formed between the first truck rail  40  and a first wall  76  running parallel to the first truck rail  40 . The second channel  72  is formed between the second truck rail  42  and a second wall  78  running parallel to the second truck rail  42 . The unitary body  10  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is extruded with both truck rails  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  so that the truck rails  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  are integral to the body  10 . 
     As shown in this embodiment, the truck rails  40 ,  42  are T-shaped to provide both the track  48  and the channels  70 ,  72 . However, this is a non-limiting example. The truck rails  40 ,  42  need only provide a side support for the channel and can be any other shape that provides the side support. The walls  76 ,  78  are also illustrated as L-shaped. However, this is a non-limiting example and may be any other shape that provides side support to the channel  70 ,  72 . 
     The channels  70 ,  72  may be left empty, with the walls  76 ,  78  adding additional support to the unitary body  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The channels  70 ,  72  may also be at least partially filled with a protective strip  74  as mentioned and shown in  FIG. 8 . The protective strip  74  can alter the board&#39;s characteristics when the skateboard deck  10  comes in contact with objects. It is common for users to perform maneuvers and tricks that require the skateboard deck to contact the other hard surfaces, such as hand rails, stairs, ramp edges, and other surfaces. One technique where the bottom surface  14  of the deck  5  contacts such surfaces is known as “grinding,” where a rider will slide along a hard surface on the bottom of the skateboard. The protective strip  74  can protect the underside of the deck  5  against wear and tear from such maneuvers. The protective strip  74  can have a higher coefficient of friction than the unitary body  10 , to allow for a slower, more controlled movement. For example, the protective strip  74  may be a nylon cord which is retained in the channels  70 ,  72 . The nylon would provide a consistent slower moving surface against certain hard or metal objects. 
     The protective strip  74  can be held in the channels  70 ,  72  with a friction fit, with adhesive, due to the shape of the walls  76 ,  78  and truck rails  40 ,  42 , or any other means known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate another embodiment of a skateboard deck  5  disclosed herein. The unitary body is a contoured unitary body  10 ′ having level surfaces with different heights with respect to ground level G.  FIG. 9A  illustrates an example of the contoured unitary body  10 ′ having first surface  80 , inclined surfaces  82  and second surfaces  84 . The first surface  80  is level X from ground level G and the second surfaces  84  are level Y from ground level G. Different contours and levels can be incorporated into the extruded unitary body  10 ′. The contours can provide a drop-down design to aid in balance, stability, and energy efficiency. The contours can assist the skater&#39;s feet to fit snugly into the board for a better grip. The contours can provide gas pedals and brakes to the corners. 
     Because the truck rails  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  are extruded with the unitary body, the contoured unitary body  10 ′ can be extruded with one or both of the truck rails  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  as shown in  FIG. 9B . Although both the truck rails  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  run the length of the unitary body  10 ′, one or both of the truck tracks  40 ,  42  and walls  76 ,  78  can run only a partial length or be broken along the length of the body  10 ′. 
     The above-described embodiments have been described in order to allow easy understanding of the invention and do not limit the invention. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structure as is permitted under the law. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the skateboard deck and assemblies, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the skateboard deck and assemblies, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. All combinations of the embodiments are specifically embraced by the present invention and are disclosed herein just as if each and every combination was individually and explicitly disclosed, to the extent that such combinations embrace operable processes and/or devices/systems/kits. In addition, all sub-combinations listed in the embodiments describing such variables are also specifically embraced by the present skateboard decks and assemblies and are disclosed herein just as if each and every such sub-combination was individually and explicitly disclosed herein.