Truck assembly for a skateboard, wheeled platform, or vehicle

• US 20080001375A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey N. Cole
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey N. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/87.042
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms

Abstract

An assembly for a wheeled platform includes a platform element adapted to be attachable to a platform and a housing adapted to receive the platform element, wherein a change in a contact point of the platform element relative to the housing results in a turning response of the wheeled platform.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A method of propelling a wheeled platform comprising:

distributing energy from an accumulated source of energy upon a change in orientation of the platform around an axis approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the platform and wherein the platform rotates around the axis;

sensing a change in orientation of the platform around the longitudinal axis of the platform; and

controlling a distribution of the accumulated source of energy to propel the wheeled platform in response to the change in orientation of the platform.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising sensing a rate of change in orientation of the platform and distributing energy from the accumulated source of energy to propel the wheeled platform as a function of the rate of change in orientation of the platform.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising sensing an amount of change in orientation of the platform and distributing energy from the accumulated source of energy to propel the wheeled platform as a function of the amount of change in orientation of the platform.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising sensing a duration of change in orientation of the platform and distributing energy from the accumulated source of energy to propel the wheeled platform as a function of the duration of change in orientation of the platform.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising sensing the change in orientation of the platform around the longitudinal axis of the platform by sensing the movement of a pair of trucks relative to one another.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the accumulated source of energy is released to an electric motor, and wherein the electric motor is configured to propel the wheeled platform.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein sensing the rate of change in orientation of the platform is performed by at least one sensor.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein sensing the amount of change in orientation of the platform is performed by at least one sensor.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein sensing the duration of change in orientation of the platform is performed by at least one sensor.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein sensing the change in orientation of the platform around the longitudinal axis of the platform is performed by at least one sensor.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the accumulated source of energy is comprised of at least one of the following energy storage elements:

a spring, a compressed or pressurized gas, an elastic material, a battery, a combustible material, or a hybrid combination of one or more of the energy storage elements.

39. The method of claim 28, further comprising releasing energy from the accumulated source of energy from one or more energy storage elements, wherein the one or more energy storage elements comprises an electronic sensor and switching system, which releases the energy to one or more mechanisms to propel the wheeled platform when the platform rotates around its rotational axis in a programmed response to movement of the platform relative to a truck assembly.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein the energy released from the accumulated source of energy is released to a mechanical drive train, and wherein the mechanical drive train is configured to propel the wheeled platform.

41. The method of claim 28, wherein the energy released from the accumulated source of energy is released to a hybrid mechanism, which may include hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electronic, mechanical, internal combustion elements, and wherein the hybrid mechanism is configured to propel the wheeled platform.

42. The method of claim 28, wherein the wheeled platform comprises:

a platform;

a pair of trucks, each truck being adapted to be attachable to the platform and comprising at least one axle configured to receive a wheel; and

at least one wheel attached to the at least one axle of each truck.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising at least one sensor, which senses the change in orientation of the platform element.

44. The method of claim 28, wherein a first change in orientation of the platform relative to the axle housing of the wheeled platform results in a turning response of the wheeled platform.

45. The method of claim 28, further comprising sensing the change in orientation of the platform element with at least one sensor, and wherein a signal from the at least one sensor controls the distribution of the accumulated source of energy to propel the wheeled platform.