Patent Application: US-60775206-A

Abstract:
a skateboard deck formed of laminated layers having increased twisting resistance around its center axis provided by fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite members running along the center axis and cross members extending toward side edges . side members positioned between pairs of cross members provide additional torque resistance and energy storage for use in springing the board .

Description:
referring now to the drawings in fig1 - 4 , some preferred embodiments of the present invention in current preferred modes in accordance with the present invention are shown . fig1 depicts a top plan view of the device 10 as it would be encompassed within a skateboard deck 12 extending substantially along the center axis 14 of the deck 12 . the device features a central member 16 formed of the other components herein which when operatively mounted in the deck 12 increases turning , jumping , and other performance characteristics of the formed deck 12 . the device 10 is as noted operatively mounted between layers of wood veneers 18 which are laminated together forming the deck 12 or within a cavity 20 formed within the veneer 18 layers . the multi - component central member 16 employs vertically stacked and aligned , elongated composite flexible members 22 which are formed of fiberglass , carbon fiber or similar reinforcing fabric impregnated with the appropriate resin to yield the flexible member 22 in the appropriate shape and flex characteristics . these composite flexible members 22 formed of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers as noted , have a center axis substantially inline with the axis 14 of the deck 12 which is formed of the resulting laminated veneer 18 layers forming the upper and lower surface layers . the flexible members 22 of this composite material positioned along the axis between the layers of the deck yield a great improvement in spring , flex , and torque resistance of the rider and the members 22 alone yield a substantial improvement in performance in one preferred mode of the device 0 . in the more preferred modes of the device , the flexible members 22 work in conjunction with parallel side members 24 projecting normal to the axis 14 from various points along the composite flexible member 22 . these side members 24 are preferably integral and part of the flexible members 22 , and when paired on each side of the flexible members 22 , form a plurality of traverse cross members 26 projecting a substantially equal distance from both sides of the center axis 14 , at various points along the length of the flexible members 22 . of course , if a deck 12 with more torque resistance to one turning side or the other is desired , the cross members 26 might be formed to project unequal distances from the axis 14 and the leverage resulting from different length cross members 26 would be different in both turning directions . this might be done in cases where a track in a race has turns substantially all in one direction and the rider needs more turning capability toward one side or the other . in a sandwiched engagement between the stacked cross members 26 , extending from inline flexible members 22 , are operatively placed parallel elongated members 28 formed of thin strips of metal such as spring steel or of resin impregnated composite material such as carbon fiber strips . the metal or other composite material employed can be varied to provide the individual rider &# 39 ; s desired spring and shock absorbent characteristics for the finished deck 12 with the formed central member 16 operatively engaged within the veneer 18 layers . different types of spring steel or composite materials may be used conforming to various aisi and sae standards , yielding different resistance and spring characteristics depending on the length and thickness and width of the member 28 employed . further , carbon fibers , or other synthetic fabrics operatively engaged with a resin to form a composite elongated member 28 can provide similar characteristics which may be varied . consequently , great adjustability as to the ride characteristics of the finished deck 12 can be achieved by varying the metal or composite employed to form the elongated member 28 , the composite construction , the material thickness , and the width of the composite or metal used . the device as shown in fig1 and 3 shows two elongated members 28 parallel to each other and the axis 14 and sandwiched between the cross members 26 of two central members 16 . the ride and torque around the axis 14 and spring along the axis 14 , of the formed deck 12 can also be altered by changing the number and spacing of the formed cross members 26 . as such , a means for adjustment of torque resistance around the axis 14 , and spring or flex characteristics along the axis 14 , is provided by changing the materials employed to form the elongated members 28 , and the composite materials of the flexible members 22 employed and especially by the placement and number of cross members 26 engaging the parallel elongated members 28 sandwiched there between . in a current preferred mode of the device 10 the exceptional improvements in performance for spring , flex , and twisting and shock absorbing characteristics with a rider on the deck 12 have been provided with the conventional trucks or axles for the wheels ( not shown ) engaged through both the veneer 18 layers , and also through the composite or metal elongated members 28 , using mounting apertures 30 adapted to engage truck bolts or screws . as shown the apertures 30 are spaced to engage the screws or bolts that hold two types of conventional wheel axles to the deck 12 and of course the apertures 30 can be spaced differently if standard distancing of truck engagement holes change . as shown in fig2 a , a plurality of central members 16 formed of the other components herein noted , can be stacked inline in - between the veneers making up the deck 12 . as shown , a number of veneers are overlain and two central members are formed using an inline sandwiched engagement between the stacked side members 26 , extending from three inline flexible members 22 , with two layers of elongated members 28 formed of the aforementioned thin strips of metal such as spring steel or of resin impregnated composite material such as carbon fiber strips . while shown with only two layers of elongated members 28 , additional layers may be formed by adding one more member 26 and sandwiching the elongated members there between . in fig2 b there is shown the central member 16 similar to fig2 , and fig1 , with stringers 31 forming side portions of the deck 12 . conventionally the stringers 31 are of solid wood material with bamboo or other dowels ( not shown ) holding them engaged . in another preferred mode of the device 10 , a third metal member can be included in the component assembled central member 16 situated along the axis 14 as shown in fig3 . this mode of the device 12 has been found to have additional spring and jumping characteristics that are attractive to some riders wishing to spring the deck into the air . all modes of the device 10 can , as shown in fig2 , be engaged within the stacked and laminated veneer 18 layers in a cavity 20 , or if formed thin enough , in - between the layers themselves . additionally , all modes and embodiments of the device 10 can include means for vibration dampening . this vibration dampening may be provided by employment of member sections 32 of cork or rubber or carbon fiber or similar flexible material which form member sections 32 that are elongated and positioned between the top and bottom layers of the laminated deck on both sides of the axis 14 . as depicted in fig4 , in addition to vibration dampening and shock absorption on landing , these member sections 32 have shown during experimentation to also significantly increase the flexibility of the deck 12 with all of the various embodiments and modes of the disclosed deck 12 . still further , the device 10 as shown in fig2 depicts a pair of composite flexible members 22 sandwiching a pair of elongated members 28 in a current preferred mode of the device 10 . however , a plurality of more than just two flexible members 22 , sandwiching two or more pair of members 22 can also be employed in forming the central member 16 operatively mounted in a deck 12 employing the disclosed device 10 . multiple layers of members 22 could be stacked inline , equidistant from center axis 14 or could be stacked at varying distances from the center axis 14 to yield different torque characteristics around the center axis and differing spring and flex characteristics of the formed deck 12 . in between multiple flexible members 22 can be placed multiple stacked elongated members 28 ; for example , three inline flexible members 22 can have two elongated members 28 sandwiched on each side of the axis 14 . consequently , skateboard decks 12 employing the device 10 disclosed herein can be easily customized for deck behavioral characteristics for the individual rider and / or the type of riding anticipated by changing one or a combination of means of adjustment of handling characteristics of twisting around the center axis of the formed deck 12 , including changing the spacing of the parallel elongated members 28 from the center axis , changing the size in width and / or length of the elongated members 28 employed , changing the number of elongated members 28 employed , changing the spacing of the traverse cross members 26 , changing the number of traverse cross members 26 , changing the distance the traverse cross members 26 project from the center axis 14 , and changing the type of metal forming the elongated members 28 sandwiched between the cross members 26 . further , means for energy storage when the deck 12 is bent by the user jumping or flexing it while riding , to spring back , is provided by changing one or a combination of the length , width , or thickness of the elongated members 28 or the material from which they are formed . finally , the method and apparatus for forming skateboard decks shown in the drawings and described in detail herein , disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention . it is to be understood , however , that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof , other than those illustrated and described , may be employed in accordance with the spirit of this invention , and any and all such changes , alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims . further , the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the u . s . patent and trademark office and the public generally , and especially the scientists , engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application . the abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application , which is measured by the claims , nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way 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