Patent Publication Number: US-2013228990-A1

Title: Skateboard Deck

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/599,011 filed on Feb. 15, 2012, entitled “Skateboard Deck”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a novel skateboard deck. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a clear, polycarbonate skateboard deck with a lightening device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Skateboards consist of a deck, trucks, wheels, grip tape, bearings, and hardware. A user propels the skateboard by maintaining one foot on the deck while using the other foot to push the board. Typically the deck of the skateboard is made of a plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating to ensure stronger durability and for making smoother slides. For aesthetic purposes, many skateboarders decorate their skateboards by painting the deck various colors, creating decorative designs on the deck, or using various colored wheels. In some cases, skateboarders add lights to their board by attaching light strips, such as Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights to the edge of the wooden board. However, there are many issues related to an attached LED strip: (1) the attached light strips are limited to the perimeter of the skateboard deck; (2) the attached light strips are susceptible to damage while skateboarding; and (3) the battery pack which powers the light strips are susceptible to damage because it is not integrated within the board. Thus, there is a need for a skateboard or skateboard deck with integrated lighting and an integrated power source. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This summary is provided to introduce concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject. 
     The present invention provides for a novel skateboard deck with at least a portion made of a transparent, semi-transparent, or clear material that may utilize various lighting methods to illuminate the skateboard. The skateboard deck may be illuminated in a range of ways including back lighting the skateboard, creating flashing patterns, and emphasizing cut outs or designs on the board using lights. The present invention comprises one or more lights or LEDs, a controller, a remote control, a manual switch, and a battery pack. 
     The present invention allows the user to set the lighting patterns of the board through use of a controller which allows includes one or more programmed flash patterns. The controller and programmed flash patterns are in communication with a remote control which the user can use to control the lighting while skateboarding. Further, the present invention utilizes clear, transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque polycarbonate material instead of using traditional wood material for the deck. This allows for the board to be partially or fully illuminated by the lights. The clear polycarbonate board also has a convex shape such that it has a gentle curve designed to assist in supporting the weight of the skateboarder. When a user steps on the board, the board flexes downward just enough such that the weight of the user causes the board to be roughly parallel to the flat ground. However, the deck could be comprised of a combination of wood, polycarbonate, or other materials. 
     The present invention also provides a skateboard deck comprising: a first housing piece and a second housing piece configured to mate together to form a skateboard deck, wherein said skateboard desk has at least one internal channel configured to receive at least one lighting element. The skateboard deck may further include the at least one internal channel located in either the first housing piece, or the second housing piece, or formed when the first housing piece and second housing piece are mated together. Further, first housing piece and second housing piece could be mechanically fastened together using mechanical fasteners or fastened using a snap-fit design. The skateboard deck could include a controller connected to at least one of the one or more lighting elements to control the lighting elements. This controller could also interact with a remote control. The lighting element in the present invention could consist of at least one LED light, one LED light string, or one electroluminescent wire. The skateboard deck could further include at least one battery that powers the lighting element. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention could be a skateboard deck comprising: at least one lighting element; a deck housing with at least one internal channel configured to receive the at least one lighting element, and a controller connected to and controlling the at least one lighting element. The skateboard deck could further including at least one lighting element controlled by a remote control which interacts with the controller, by the movement of the skateboard, or by user input to the controller. Further, the lighting element in the present invention could consist of at least one LED light, one LED light string, or one electroluminescent wire 
     Another embodiment of the present invention could be a skateboard comprising: a skateboard deck, the skateboard deck comprised of a first housing piece and a second housing piece configured to mate together to form the skateboard deck; a pair of trucks mounted on the lower surface of the skateboard deck and spaced apart from each other; wheels rotatably mounted on the trucks; at least one lighting element; at least one one power source connected and providing power to the at least one lighting element; a controller connected to and controlling the at least one lighting element; and at least one internal channel inside the skateboard deck configured to receive the at least one lighting element. 
     These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the top view of the first embodiment of the present invention, including the LED strip deck. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the deck, cavity, light strips, and light controller in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the bottom view of the first embodiment of the present invention, including the cavity, LED strips, light controller, and battery pack. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of the second embodiment of the present invention, including the electroluminescent wire deck, small channels to house the electroluminescent wire lights, and customized cut outs. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention, including the cavity, light controller, battery pack, and electroluminescent wire lights. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the top view of the third embodiment of the present invention, including the LED backlit deck, small lighting cavities, and customized cut outs. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the bottom view of the third embodiment of the present invention, including the battery packs, lighting cavities, and connecting wires. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the truck and wheel assembly positioned such that it decreases the height between the board and the ground. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the truck and wheel assembly positioned such that it increases the height between the board and the ground. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the deck  101  is comprised of two clear, polycarbonate pieces  223 ,  225  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or other clear high strength materials. The upper piece  223  is provides the standing deck while the lower piece  225  attaches to upper piece  223  to create the full deck housing. The clear or transparent pieces  223 ,  225  may be partially covered so that portions of the clear deck are covered or all or portions of the deck may be semi-transparent or even opaque, thus making the deck partially clear. Bolts or screws  113  line the perimeter of the deck  101  and secures the two pieces together to form a solid skateboard deck. In addition, the deck  101  of the present invention is convex in shape such that it is curved upward such that the weight of a user standing on the polycarbonate deck  101  causes the deck to flex downward into a generally flat shape or position. At either ends of the deck are cut outs  109 ,  111  for the trucks. The trucks are dropped through the cut outs  109 ,  111  and are secured to the deck by bolts and screws  105 ,  107  or other similar means. A cavity  103  resides in the center of the deck  101  caused by a gap between the upper piece  223  and the lower piece  225 . The cavity  103  is hollow in the center and is accessible by removing the screws  113  and separating the two pieces  223 ,  225 . The cavity  103  might be accessible from an access panel mechanically fastened from the lower piece  225 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a more detailed cross-sectional view of the clear polycarbonate pieces  223 ,  225  and cavity  203 . As discussed in  FIG. 1 , the deck  101  is comprised of two clear polycarbonate pieces  223 ,  225  or other clear high strength materials. The two pieces  223 ,  225  may be of uniform or various thicknesses, but have matching profiles. Mechanical fastening means such as screws or bolts  213  with nuts  215  secures the two pieces  223 ,  225  together to form a solid skateboard deck. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the bolts or screws  109  line the perimeter of the deck  101 . The deck may also be secured together using a snap-fit mechanism, fasteners, lamination, glue, or other or combination of other mechanical fastening means. 
     Further, the cavity  203  resides in the center of the deck  101  and houses the light emitting diode (“LED”) light strips  217  surrounding the perimeter of the cavity  203 , the light controller  221 , and the battery pack  319  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). The cavity  203  is covered (or accessible) by a cover plate  227  located on the bottom-side of the deck  101 . The cavity  203  may be accessed on the bottom-side of the deck  101  by removing the cover plate  227 . The cover plate  227  may be secured on the cavity  203  by screws, a snap-fit mechanism, mating screw threads or other mechanical means. A manual switch  229  is located on the outside of the cover plate  227  and is also connected to the light controller  221  such that a user may manually turn on the LED lights  217  or may manually set the patterns in which the LED lights  217  will light up (i.e. pulsating lights, changing the colors of the lights, or setting the speed the lights will flash). 
       FIG. 3  depicts the bottom-side of the deck  301  and the inside of the cavity  303 . As discussed above, a user may access the inside of the cavity  303  by removing the cover plate  227  (seen in  FIG. 2 ) on the bottom-side of the deck  301 . The cavity  303  houses the LED light strips  317 , battery pack  319 , and light controller  321 . While the present invention has been described with reference to  FIG. 3 , it is understood that the placement of the battery pack  319  and light controller  321  in relation to each other is not limited to the placement depicted in the figures. 
     The LED light strips  317  are placed or set into small channels surrounding the perimeter of the cavity  303  such that when the LED lights  317  are turned on, it illuminates the entire or nearly the entire clear polycarbonate deck  301 . Illumination of the deck depends on whether portions of the deck are partially covered and thus be semi-transparent or opaque. In the preferred embodiment, the LED light strips  317  are approximately a half inch in width. The width and depth of the small channels are approximately the same width as the LED light strips  317 . Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the small channels are approximately a half inch wide and nine-sixteenth of an inch deep. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to LED light strips  317  with a half inch width, and may be designed with LED light strips  317  of varying width and channel sizes that correspond to the different widths. 
     The LED light strips  317  may light up in any color, including, but not limited to, purple, blue, yellow, and red. In the preferred method, the multi-color LED strip utilizes the red, green, and blue (“RGB”) LED system. In the RGB system, various colors can be formed by mixing different amounts of the three primarily colors. LED light strips  317  are controlled by a light controller  321  residing in the cavity  303 . The light controller  321  is used to turn the LED light strips  317  on and off, change the colors of the LED light strips  317 , and set the LED light strips  317  to flash in various patterns, such as pulsating at different rates or flashing different colors at different rates. The LED light strips  317  may also be controlled and turned on by either a manual switch located on the bottom of the deck  301  or by a remote control. The remote control uses infra-red signals or other remote control signals to communicate with an infra-red sensor located in the light controller  321  residing in the cavity  303 . Thus, the user may use the remote control to turn on the lights, change the flashing patterns, and change the colors of the LED light strips  317  while also riding on the skateboard. 
     The LED light strips  317  and light controller  321  are powered by a battery pack  319  residing in the cavity  303 . The battery pack  319  may use disposable batteries which could be replaced or rechargeable batteries which could be removed and recharged. However, in one embodiment the pack could be designed to be removed such that the battery pack  319  could be plugged to an external charger and plugging the external charger to a power source such as a standard outlet. 
     As an alternative embodiment, the battery pack  319  could employ a non-removable battery pack. The non-removable battery pack  319  is charged by using a plug-in power adapter that connects to a socket in the battery pack  319 . The non-removable battery  319  pack may be connected directly to the board or connected to the cover plate  227 . The present invention may also be designed to handle standard batteries such that there are slots in the battery pack  319  suited to fit standard batteries bought at commercial stores. Further, as an alternative embodiment, the battery pack  319  may be attached to the truck and wheel assembly. In each of the battery pack designs discussed, a power inverter may also be used to convert the power source to the appropriate level and current (i.e. direct current or alternating current) depending on the lights used. 
     As an alternative to the LED light strips  317  used in the first embodiment, the lights may be liquid crystal display (“LCD”) or electroluminescent wire (“EL wire”) lights. Similar to above, the LCD and EL wire lights may be set to pulsate at different rates or flash different colors at different rates. Because EL wire lights may be limited to emit only one color, multiple EL wires lights may surround the perimeter of the cavity  303  such that the deck  303  may be illuminated with different colors. 
     The second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 4-5 .  FIG. 4  depicts the top view of the second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the deck  401  is comprised of two clear polycarbonate pieces or other clear high strength materials. Bolts or screws  413  line the perimeter of the deck  401  and secures the two pieces together to form a solid skateboard deck. The deck may also be secured together using a snap-fit mechanism, fasteners, lamination, glue, or other or combination of other means. The deck  401  is convex in shape such that it is curved upward and the weight of a user standing on the polycarbonate deck  401  causes the deck to flex downward into a generally flat or planar position. At either end of the deck  401  are cut outs  409 ,  411  for the trucks. The trucks are dropped through the cut outs  409 ,  411 , and are secured to the deck by screws  405 ,  407  or other similar means. Further, circular cut outs  431  are made in the center of the deck  401  for aesthetic purposes. These cut outs  431  may be customized to be different sizes, shapes, and designs according to the user&#39;s preference and design. These customized cut outs  431  may be made during the manufacturing of the deck  401 . 
     A first set of EL wire lights  433  line the perimeter of the deck  401  and a second set of EL wire lights  435  line the perimeter of the center cut outs  431 . Small channels line the perimeter of the cut outs  431  and the perimeter of the deck  401 . These small channels are roughly the same depth and width as the diameter of the EL wire lights  433 ,  435 . In the preferred embodiment, the EL wire lights  433 ,  435  are approximately 5 mm and the small channel is roughly 5 mm. In alternative embodiments, the size of the EL wire lights may range from approximately 2.2 mm to 5 mm and the size of the small channels may range from approximately 2.2 mm to 5 mm depending on the size of EL wire being used. For example, EL wire lights may be 2.2 mm, 2.6 mm, and 5 mm and the small channels may be approximately 2.2 mm, 2.6 mm, and 5 mm, respectively. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the bottom-side of the deck  501  and the inside of the cavity  503 . The cavity  503  is accessible from the bottom-side of the deck and a cover plate is secured over the cavity by screws, snap-fit mechanism, mating screw threads, or other mechanical means. A user may access the cavity  503  by removing the cover plate. A manual switch is located on the outside of the cover plate and is connected to the light controller  521 . 
     The cavity  503  houses a battery pack  519  and light controller  521 . EL wire lights  535  may line the perimeter of the cavity  503 . The light controller  521  and battery pack  519  is connected to the EL wire lights  533  surrounding the perimeter of the deck by small wires  537  residing in small channels in the deck  501 . The light controller  521  and battery pack  519  is also connected to the EL wire lights  535  surrounding the perimeter of the cut outs  531 . 
     The light controller  521  is used to set the EL wire lights  533 ,  535  to turn on and off, flash in different patterns at different rates, change the applied frequency on the EL wire lights  533 ,  535 , and control the brightness of the EL wire lights  533 ,  535 . The EL wire lights  533  lining the perimeter of the deck  501  and the EL wire lights  535  surrounding the center cut outs  531  may be controlled separately such that the two sets of EL wire lights  533 ,  535  may pulsate at different rates, may have different frequencies applied, and may have different brightness. In addition, the user may choose to turn on one set of EL wire lights  533 ,  535 , but not the other set of EL wire lights  533 ,  535 . The EL wire lights  533  lining the perimeter of the deck  501  may also be of different color than the EL wire lights  535  surrounding the center cut outs  531 . Unlike LED lights, the color of EL wire lights are determined by the color PVC sleeve. To a limited degree, the color of EL wire lights may vary based on frequency. However, the deck could be designed using multiple EL wires next to each other with each wire controlled such that they could turn one or the other on, switch, or have both on. The various cut outs  531  in the center of the deck  501  may also be made up of several connected EL wires with different color sleeves such that the center cut outs  531  or design are made up of different colors. By way of example, a user customizes his board such that a red colored EL wire surrounds the perimeter of the deck  501 . In the center of the deck, the user customized the board to have two large circles on either side of the board, and five circular cut outs in the center of the board. The two large circles on either side of the board are not cut outs, but green EL wires trace the circumference of the two large circles. For the remaining five center cut outs, the user designed his board such that blue EL wires line the perimeter of the center cut outs. The green EL wires are connected to blue wires lining the circular cuts out in the center of the board such that the green and blue EL wires are controlled together (i.e. flash together in the same pattern at the same rates). 
     The EL wire lights  533 ,  535  may also be controlled and turned on by either the manual switch on the cover plate or a remote control. The remote control uses IR signals (or the like) to communicate with an infra-red sensor located in the controller  521  residing in the cavity  503 . Continuing with the example above, the user utilizes the remote control to control the lights for example setting the green and blue EL wires to pulsate and the red EL wire to remain solid. 
     The EL wire lights  533 ,  535  and light controller  521  are powered by a battery pack  519  residing in the cavity. The battery pack  519  may be connected to either the cover plate or the cavity  503 . The battery pack  519  may be comprised of slots suited to fit standard batteries bought at commercial stores. These standard batteries may be rechargeable. 
     As an alternative to the battery pack  519  described in the second embodiment, the battery pack  519  may be fully removable from the cover plate and deck  501 . The removable battery pack  519  may be charged by hooking the battery pack  519  to an external charger and plugging the external charger to a power source such as a standard outlet. In the alternative, the present invention may also be designed with a non-removable battery pack  519  that is either connected to the cover plate or directly to the cavity  503 . The non-removable battery pack  519  is charged using a plug-in power adapter that connects to a socket in the battery pack  519 . Further, as an alternative embodiment, the battery pack  519  may be attached to the truck and wheel assembly. In each of the power sources discussed, a power inverter may also be used to convert the power source to the appropriate level and current (i.e. direct current or alternating current) depending on the lights used. 
     As an alternative to the customized cut outs  531  described in  FIG. 5 , the user may also design the deck  501  such that there are no cut outs  531  in the deck  501 . Instead, small channels suited for the EL wire lights  533 ,  535  may be used to create a customized design on the deck  501 . The EL wire lights  533 ,  535  in the center design and the EL wire lights  533 ,  535  surrounding the perimeter of the deck  401  may be controlled separately as described above. 
     As an alternative to the EL wire lights  533 ,  535  described in the second embodiment, multiple EL wire lights may be lined alongside each other to allow for different colors. The small channels which are used to secure the EL wire would be designed such that multiple EL wire lights may be secured. By way of example, a red, blue, and green EL wire may be secured in the small channel lining the perimeter of the deck  401 . Utilizing the remote control and light controller  521 , a user may choose to illuminate the deck  401  green by switching on the green EL wire light. Next, the user may use the remote control to change the color to red by switching the green EL wire light off and switching the red EL wire light on. Lastly, the user may use the remote control to switch on both the blue EL wire light and red EL wire light such that two colors are displayed around the perimeter of the deck  501 . 
     Further, as an alternative to the EL wire lights  533 ,  535 , the lights may be LCD or LED light strips. The small channels would be modified to fit the size of either the LCD or LED light strips. Similar to above, the LCD and LED light strips surrounding the perimeter of the deck  401  and the center cut outs  531  may be controlled separately such that the two sets of lights may be set to pulsate at different rates or flash different colors at different rates. 
     In the third embodiment, the present invention is illuminated by LED lights  755 ,  757  (seen in  FIG. 7 ) housed in two small cavities  647 ,  649  (seen in  FIG. 6 ) on either side of the deck  601 .  FIG. 6  depicts the top view of third embodiment. Similar to the first and second embodiment, the deck  601  is comprised of two clear polycarbonate pieces or other clear high strength materials. Bolts or screws  613  line the perimeter of the deck  601  and secures the two pieces together to form a solid skateboard deck. The deck may also be secured together using a snap-fit mechanism, fasteners, lamination, glue, or other or combination of other means. The deck  601  is convex in shape such that it has an upward curve and the weight of a user standing on the poly carbonate deck  601  causes the deck to flex downward into a generally flat position. At either ends of the deck are cut outs  609 ,  611  for the trucks. The trucks are dropped through the cut outs  609 ,  611 , and are secured to the deck by screws  605 ,  607  or other similar means. 
     Further, circular cut outs  631  are made in the center of the deck  601  for aesthetic purposes. These cut outs  631  may be customized to different sizes, shapes, and designs according to the user&#39;s preference. These customized cut outs  631  may be made during the manufacturing of the deck  601 . Additionally, the user may customize the deck  601  such that no cut outs are made to the deck  701 . Instead, the LED lights  755 ,  757  (seen in  FIG. 7 ) illuminate the clear board and the user may customize the board using transparent stickers, paintings, or other methods. 
     Two small cavities  647 ,  649  are on either side of the deck  601 . Each cavity  647 ,  649  comprises one or more LED lights  755 ,  757  that illuminate the deck  601 . As described above, the preferred embodiment comprises multi-color LED lights utilizing an RGB LED system. The LED lights  755 ,  757  may be light strips, as discussed in the first embodiment, a single LED light bulb, or a cluster of LED light bulbs. The cluster of LED light bulbs would include a cluster of red, blue, and green lights such that the three primary colors may be combined in varying intensities to create every single color in the visible light spectrum. The LED clusters may be set to create a white light, or any combination of colors flashes and patterns. 
     Between the two polycarbonate pieces, small wires  643 ,  645  connect the battery packs  751 ,  753  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) to the LED lights  755 ,  757  in the small cavities  647 ,  649 . The small wires  643 ,  645  may also be placed on the bottom-side of the board rather than in between the two polycarbonate pieces. Manual switches  639 ,  641  on each side of the deck  601  control the LED lights  755 ,  757 . The left manual switch  641  controls the left LED light  757  and the right manual switch  639  controls the right LED light  755 . Using the manual switches  639 ,  641 , the user may turn the LED lights  755 ,  757  on and off, change the colors of the LED lights  755 ,  757 , and set the LED lights  755 ,  757  to pulsate at different rates and at different colors. In addition, the left and right LED lights  755 ,  757  may be controlled separately by two separate manuals switches  639 ,  641  such that the right LED light  755  and left LED light  757  may pulsate in different colors and at different rates. 
       FIG. 7  depicts the bottom-side of the deck  701 . Battery packs  751 ,  753  are placed on either side of the deck  701  by the truck and wheel assembly. A left small wire  743  connects the left battery pack  751  to the left cavity  749  and left LED lights  757 . Similarly, a right small wire  745  connects the right battery pack  753  to the right cavity  747  and right LED lights  755 . Covers are used to cover and secure the battery packs  751 ,  753  to the deck  701 . The covers may be secured by using bolts and screws, a snap-fit mechanism, or other mechanical means. The battery packs  751 ,  753  may be connected to either the cover plate or the deck  701 . The battery packs  751 ,  753  are fully removable from either the cover plate or deck  701 . The removable battery packs  751 ,  753  may be charged by hooking the battery packs  751 ,  753  to an external charger and plugging the external charger to a power source such as a standard outlet. 
     As an alternative to the battery pack  751 ,  753  described in the third embodiment, the battery packs  751 ,  753  may comprise of slots suited to fit standard batteries bought at commercial stores. These standard batteries may be rechargeable. In the alternative, the present invention may also be designed with non-removable battery packs that are either connected to the cover plate or directly to the cavity  703 . The non-removable battery packs  751 ,  753  are charged using a plug-in power adapter that connects to a socket in the battery packs  751 ,  753 . In each of the power sources discussed, a power inverter may also be used to convert the power source to the appropriate level and current (i.e. direct current or alternating current) depending on the lights used. 
     As an additional means of controlling the LED lights  755 , 757 , a remote control and light controller may also be used. The remote control uses infra-red signals to communicate with the infra-red sensor on the light controller. The light controller may be integrated within the board. The remote control and light controller may be used to turn the LED lights on and off, change the colors of the LED lights  755 ,  757 , and pulsate the LED lights  755 ,  757  in a combination of different rates and different colors. In order to uniformly control both the left and right LED lights  755 ,  757 , the remote control uses infra-red signals to control both light controllers at the same time. 
     As an alternative to the LED lights  755 ,  757  described in the first embodiment, the lights in small cavities  647 ,  649  may be LCD or EL wire lights. Similar to above, the LCD and EL wire lights may be set to pulsate at different rates or flash different colors at different rates. 
     Further, as discussed above in all embodiments above, two cut outs  109 , 111  are on either end of the deck  101  such that trucks and wheel assembly may be dropped through the cut outs  109 ,  111  and secured using screws  105 ,  107  or other methods. One advantage to using a drop through truck is the ability to increase and decrease the board height. As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the top portion of the truck  859  is above the deck  801 , and the bottom portion of the truck  859  and axle  857  are below the deck  801 . The truck  859  is secured using bolts and screws  805  or other similar means. The wheels attach to the axle  861 . This orientation of the truck  859  and wheel assembly decreases the height between the board and the ground. 
     As an alternative, depicted in  FIG. 9 , both the truck  959  and axle  961  are positioned below the deck  901 . The truck  959  is secured using bolts and screws  905  or other similar means. The wheels attach to the axle  961 . Compared to the truck  859  and wheel assembly in  FIG. 8 , this orientation of the truck  959  and wheel assembly increases the height between the board and the ground. In addition, a riser pad (not depicted) may be placed between the truck and the deck and secured using bolts and screws. This further increases the height between the board and the ground. It should be noted that the user may adjust the height between the board and ground by repositioning the truck and wheel assembly as described above. 
     The skateboard and light assembly is not required to come pre-assembled with a truck and wheel assembly. Instead, because of the cut outs  109 ,  111  on either side of the deck  101 , the user may attach his own truck and wheel assembly to the board. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a lighting attachment cover may be attached to standard skateboard bought in commercial stores. The lighting attachment cover may utilize LED lights, EL wire lights, or LCD lights. The lighting attachment cover is placed on the full length and width of the standard skateboard deck. The lighting cover is made from semi-flexible, strong, clear material such that it may easily mold to the top of any standard skateboard. LED lights, EL wire lights, or LCD lights are integrated within the cover. The lights may be designed such that it illuminates the entire cover, portions of the cover, or outline designs on the cover. Transparent stickers may also be placed on the cover so that the lighting attachment cover illuminates the sticker. The battery pack and controller of the lighting attachment cover may be integrated within the cover, hooked to the truck and wheel assembly of the standard skateboard, or attached to the bottom of the skateboard deck. Using a remote control or a manual switch, the user may set the lights to illuminate in one color, pulsate in different colors at different rates, or change colors. 
     The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present method and product disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention expands to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.