A powered board vehicle can include a deck having a support surface, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly. The support surface can include a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a neck that connects the forward portion with the rearward portion. The forward portion, the rearward portion, and the neck can be integrally formed. The rear wheel assembly can include a powered rear wheel. The front wheel assembly can include at least one front wheel configured to swivel about a first axis and rotate about a second axis.

A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a primary wheel assembly, a platform, at least one sensor, a controller, a first auxiliary wheel assembly, and a first brake element. The primary wheel assembly comprises a primary wheel and a motor driving the primary wheel. The platform is secured to the primary wheel assembly and has a foot deck. The at least one sensor senses the orientation of the platform. The controller receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the motor in response to the received data. The first auxiliary wheel assembly is secured to the platform distal the primary wheel assembly, and is elevated from contacting a flat surface upon which the primary wheel rests when the foot deck is parallel to the flat surface. The first brake element is manually movable relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to engage the first auxiliary wheel assembly to provide resistance to rotation of the first auxiliary wheel assembly.

An apparatus comprising a platform; a plurality of trucks coupled to the platform; and a roller assembly coupled to the platform, wherein the roller assembly is configured for an omnidirectional rotation, wherein the roller assembly is configured for an elastic biasing, wherein the roller assembly is driven by a motor.

A powered board vehicle can include a deck having a support surface, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly. The support surface can include a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a neck that connects the forward portion with the rearward portion. The forward portion, the rearward portion, and the neck can be integrally formed. The rear wheel assembly can include a powered rear wheel. The front wheel assembly can include at least one front wheel configured to swivel about a first axis and rotate about a second axis.

An apparatus comprising a platform; a plurality of trucks coupled to the platform; and a roller assembly coupled to the platform, wherein the roller assembly is configured for an omnidirectional rotation, wherein the roller assembly is configured for an elastic biasing, wherein the roller assembly is driven by a motor.

A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a primary wheel assembly, a platform, at least one sensor, a controller, a first auxiliary wheel assembly, and a first brake element. The primary wheel assembly comprises a primary wheel and a motor driving the primary wheel. The platform is secured to the primary wheel assembly and has a foot deck. The at least one sensor senses the orientation of the platform. The controller receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the motor in response to the received data. The first auxiliary wheel assembly is secured to the platform distal the primary wheel assembly, and is elevated from contacting a flat surface upon which the primary wheel rests when the foot deck is parallel to the flat surface. The first brake element is manually movable relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to engage the first auxiliary wheel assembly to provide resistance to rotation of the first auxiliary wheel assembly.

A bifurcated truck in a laterally-sliding board wheel assembly enables the freeboard to seamlessly transition from carvingas associated with a traditional skateboardto new omnidirectional motions, in which the board can easy travel forward, backwards, sideways or in any other directional combination. The wheel assembly of this invention employs a bifurcated truck system having two independent suspension arms, both operating independently from one another and from the board's castering wheels. The wheel assemblies are mirrored at each longitudinal end of the board, resulting in the board's ability to carve, slide or skidand easily transition back and forth among each of these modesproviding the rider a sense of stability and freedom commonly associated only with snowboarding.

A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a primary wheel assembly, a platform, at least one sensor, a controller, a first auxiliary wheel assembly, and a first brake element. The primary wheel assembly comprises a primary wheel and a motor driving the primary wheel. The platform is secured to the primary wheel assembly and has a foot deck. The at least one sensor senses the orientation of the platform. The controller receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the motor in response to the received data. The first auxiliary wheel assembly is secured to the platform distal the primary wheel assembly, and is elevated from contacting a flat surface upon which the primary wheel rests when the foot deck is parallel to the flat surface. The first brake element is manually movable relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to engage the first auxiliary wheel assembly to provide resistance to rotation of the first auxiliary wheel assembly.

Improved skateboards and methods of obtaining or providing skateboards with improved trucks. Trucks have two axles or axes, two primary wheels, and two secondary wheels, and skateboards have eight wheels, four in front and four at the rear portion of the skateboard. The four primary wheels support most or all of the weight of the skateboard when the skateboard is on a flat surface, and the two secondary wheels support the weight of one portion of the skateboard (e.g., front or rear) when the primary wheels cross a crack (e.g., a sidewalk contraction joint). In various embodiments, the secondary wheels are located outboard of the primary wheels. Further, in a number of embodiments, the axis of rotation or axle of the primary wheels remains parallel to that of the secondary wheels, whether the skateboard is going straight or turning.

The present invention is directed to devices for protection of the bottom center portion of skateboard platforms when used obliquely on upstanding structural edges, as when grinding. A roller assembly of the present invention may have an elongated bearing shaft rotatably positioned at each end in spaced apart bearings that are attached to the bottom surface of a skateboard platform. Optional variations and surface treatments of the bearing shaft are also disclosed.