Truck assembly for a skateboard, wheeled platform, or vehicle

• US 7,374,179 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey E. Cole
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey E. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Jeffrey E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/315,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.28, 280/11.27, 280/11.19, 280/11.221, 280/11.223, 280/11.225, 280/11.233, 280/11.25, 280/87.042, 280/87.041, 280/842
• US Class Current: 280/11.27
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0046 with shock absorption or suspension system
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/012 with a truck, i.e. with steering mechanism comprising an inclined geometrical axis to convert lateral tilting of the board in steering of the wheel axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/013 with parallelograms, follow up wheels or direct steering action
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/015 with wheels arranged in two pairs
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms

Abstract

A truck assembly for a skateboard having an inner ring adapted to be attachable to a skateboard deck, and an outer ring adapted to be attachable to an axle extending from the outer ring, wherein the axle is configured to receive at least one wheel. The inner ring and the outer ring rotate relative to one another upon a change in an orientation of the skateboard deck.

Claims

1. A truck assembly for a skateboard comprising:

an inner ring adapted to be attachable to a skateboard deck, wherein the skateboard deck includes a horizontal portion and a pair of flared ends;

an outer ring adapted to be attachable to an axle extending from the outer ring, wherein the axle is configured to receive at least one wheel, and wherein the inner ring and the outer ring rotate relative to one another upon a change in an orientation of the skateboard deck; and

wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck is attached to the inner ring of the truck assembly in any suitable manner including a detachable configuration so that the truck assembly can be attached to any suitable skateboard deck.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the change in the orientation of the skateboard deck results in the inner ring rotating relative to the outer ring, which results in a turning response of the skateboard.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner ring has an inner groove on an outer portion of the inner ring.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the outer ring has an inner groove on an inner portion of the outer ring.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of bearings within the inner groove of the inner ring and the inner groove of the outer ring.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the skateboard deck transitions from the horizontal portion to the pair of flared ends towards each end of the deck at a transition point having an angle of transition of between about 0 and 60 degrees.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck is fixed within the inner ring of the truck assembly.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck extends through the inner ring of the truck assembly.

9. A skateboard comprising:

a skateboard deck, wherein the skateboard deck includes a horizontal portion and a pair of flared ends;

a pair of truck assemblies comprising;

an inner ring adapted to be attachable to a skateboard deck; and

an outer ring adapted to be attachable to an axle extending from the outer ring, wherein the axle is configured to receive at least one wheel, and wherein the inner ring and the outer ring rotate relative to one another upon a change in an orientation of the skateboard deck, and wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck is attached to the inner ring of the truck assembly in any suitable manner including a detachable configuration so that the truck assembly can be attached to any suitable skateboard deck; and

a plurality of wheels attached to the axles extending from the outer ring.

10. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the change in the orientation of the skateboard deck results in the inner ring rotating relative to the outer ring, which results in a turning response of the skateboard.

11. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the inner ring has an inner groove on an outer portion of the inner ring.

12. The skateboard of claim 11, wherein the outer ring has an inner groove on an inner portion of the outer ring.

13. The skateboard of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of bearings within the inner groove of the inner ring and the inner groove of the outer ring.

14. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the skateboard deck transitions from the horizontal portion to the pair of flared ends towards each end of the deck at a transition point having an angle of transition of between about 0 and 60 degrees.

15. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck is fixed within the inner ring of the truck assembly.

16. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the flared end of the skateboard deck extends through the inner ring of the truck assembly.