Skateboard axle assembly and skateboard

Abstract

A skateboard axle assembly is described, having a connection plate for mounting the axle assembly to a skateboard deck and a wheel axle. The wheel axle has two ends, to each of which a wheel can be mounted. The wheel axle is movably coupled to the connection plate by two articulated arms. In addition, a skateboard having at least one skateboard axle assembly is described.

Claims

1. A skateboard axle assembly comprising a connection plate for mounting the axle assembly to a skateboard deck and a wheel axle having two ends, to each of which a wheel can be mounted, wherein the wheel axle is movably coupled to the connection plate by two articulated arms; wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the wheel axle for rotation about a respective pivot on the wheel axle side, wherein each of the respective pivots on the wheel axle side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the connection plate for rotation about a respective pivot on the connection plate side, wherein the pivots on the connection plate side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein in a front view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to a connection plane of the connection plate, and wherein in a side view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side each include an angle of 0° to 80° with the connection plate of the connection plate.

2. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axle assembly is configured without bushings.

3. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivots on the wheel axle side are spaced apart from each other along the wheel axle and the pivots on the connection plate side are spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction of the connection plate, the distance between the two pivots on the wheel axle side being larger than the distance between the pivots on the connection plate side, and/or the articulated arms including an angle of 85° to 95° relative to each other in a deflection position.

4. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 3, wherein a distance between each of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the associated pivot on the connection plate side deviates by a maximum of 35% of the distance between the respective pivot on the wheel axle side and the associated pivot on the connection plate side from the distance between the two pivots on the connection plate side.

5. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the two pivots on the wheel axle side is 2 to 2.5 times as large as the distance between the pivots on the connection plate side.

6. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a side view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side each include an angle (α, α′) of 0° to 15° with the connection plane of the connection plate.

7. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a side view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side each include an angle (α, α′) of 45° to 80° with the connection plane of the connection plate.

8. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a top view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the connection plate.

9. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the articulated arms have a fork-shaped configuration at least at one end to form a joint.

10. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection plate has exactly three openings arranged therein for mounting the axle assembly to the skateboard deck, a first opening being positioned on a longitudinal axis of the connection plate, and second and third openings being spaced apart from the first opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connection plate and being positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the connection plate.

11. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection plate has exactly four openings arranged therein for mounting the axle assembly to the skateboard deck, the four openings being arranged in a rectangle that is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connection plate.

12. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one stop member is attached to the connection plate such that the stop member limits a deflection of the articulated arms.

13. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the articulated arms are coupled to the connection plate by an intermediate piece protruding downward from a lower side of the connection plate.

14. The skateboard axle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the articulated arms are arranged in relation to each other and articulated to the connection plate and the axle assembly such that when the axle assembly is horizontal, the connection plate is in its lowest position, and when placed in an inclined position, the connection plate is moved vertically upward.

15. A skateboard comprising two skateboard axle assemblies each being a skateboard axle assembly comprising: a connection plate for mounting the axle assembly to a skateboard deck and a wheel axle having two ends, to each of which a wheel can be mounted, wherein the wheel axle is movably coupled to the connection plate by two articulated arms, wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the wheel axle for rotation about a respective pivot on the wheel axle side, wherein the respective pivots on the wheel axle side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the connection plate for rotation about a respective pivot on the connection plate side, wherein the pivots on the connection plate side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein in a front view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to a connection plane of the connection plate, and wherein the said skateboard axle assemblies are oriented in the same direction or in opposite directions.

16. A skateboard axle assembly comprising a connection plate for mounting the axle assembly to a skateboard deck and a wheel axle having two ends, to each of which a wheel can be mounted, wherein the wheel axle is movably coupled to the connection plate by two articulated arms, wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the wheel axle for rotation about a respective pivot on the wheel axle side, wherein the respective pivots on the wheel axle side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein the articulated arms are each supported at the connection plate for rotation about a respective pivot on the connection plate side, wherein the pivots on the connection plate side constitute an axis of rotation respectively, wherein in a front view, the pivot axes of the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivot axes of the pivots on the connection plate side extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to a connection plane of the connection plate, and wherein in a top view, the pivots on the wheel axle side and the pivots on the connection plate side extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the connection plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be explained below with reference to various exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a skateboard according to the invention, with a skateboard axle assembly according to the invention in a bottom view;

(3) FIGS. 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly according to the invention in a neutral position;

(4) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a first embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly according to the invention in a deflected position;

(5) FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 11 shows three embodiments of a connection plate of a skateboard axle assembly according to the invention; and

(7) FIGS. 12 to 14 show three further embodiments of the skateboard according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a skateboard 10 which has two skateboard axle assemblies 12, 14. In a direction of travel 16 of the skateboard 10, the skateboard axle assembly 14 is mounted in front of the skateboard axle assembly 12.

(9) Both skateboard axle assemblies 12, 14 are shown in a neutral position, which corresponds to a straight-ahead travel of the skateboard 10 along the direction of travel 16, and in a deflected position.

(10) The skateboard axle assembly 14 is mounted to a skateboard deck 20 by means of a connection plate 18. Furthermore, the skateboard axle assembly 14 has a wheel axle 22, at the two ends of which a respective wheel 24, 26 is mounted. The wheel axle 22 is movably coupled to the connection plate 18 via two articulated arms 28, 30.

(11) The axle assembly 12 is an axle assembly according to the prior art, having a bushing by means of which the wheel axle is coupled to the skateboard deck 20 and which ensures a return movement to the neutral position. Such an axle assembly is referred to as a conventional axle assembly.

(12) In FIGS. 2 to 5, the skateboard axle assembly 14 is illustrated in a neutral position. FIG. 2 shows the skateboard axle assembly 14 in a front view here. The perspective taken here is in the direction of travel 16 in front of the axle. In FIG. 3 the skateboard axle assembly 14 is shown in a rear view. The perspective taken here is behind the skateboard axle assembly 14 in the direction of travel 16. FIG. 4 shows the skateboard axle assembly 14 in a view from below. In FIG. 5 the skateboard axle assembly 14 is illustrated in a side view.

(13) The articulated arm 28 is mounted at the wheel axle 22 for rotation via a pivot 32 on the wheel axle side. In the same way, the articulated arm 30 is mounted at the wheel axle 22 for rotation via a pivot 34 on the wheel axle side.

(14) Furthermore, the articulated arm 28 is rotatably connected to the connection plate 18 via a pivot 36 on the connection plate side. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot 36 on the connection plate side constitutes an axis of rotation.

(15) Likewise, the articulated arm 30 is rotatably connected to the connection plate 18 via a pivot 38 on the connection plate side. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot 38 on the connection plate side also constitutes an axis of rotation. All of the pivots 32, 34, 36, 38 are formed by pins.

(16) As is apparent from FIGS. 2 to 4 in particular, the structure of the skateboard axle assembly 14 in the neutral position shown is symmetrical to a vertical central or longitudinal axis. This results in two parallel force profiles through the two articulated arms 28, 30.

(17) It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side are spaced apart from each other along the wheel axle 22. Likewise, the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction 40 of the connection plate. In the neutral position of the skateboard axle assembly 14 as illustrated, the transverse direction 40 of the connection plate (see FIG. 4) is parallel to the direction of the wheel axle 22.

(18) The distance between the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side is selected to be greater here than the distance between the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side (see FIG. 4). In particular, the distance between the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side is 2 to 2.5 times greater than the distance between the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side.

(19) In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side is essentially twice as large as the distance between the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side.

(20) The distances between the pivots on the wheel axle side that belong together and the pivots on the connection plate side that belong together are also predefined. That is, the distance between each of the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side and its associated pivot 36 and 38 on the connection plate side, respectively, deviates by a maximum of 35% from the distance between the two pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side.

(21) The distance between one of the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side and the respectively associated pivot 36, 38 on the connection plate side corresponds to the effective length of the associated articulated arm 28, 30.

(22) The operating principle of the skateboard axle assembly 14 is thus based on a symmetrically structured four-joint mechanism.

(23) It is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3 that both the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side and the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side extend perpendicularly to a connection plane 42 of the connection plate 18 to the skateboard deck 20 in a front view (cf. FIG. 2).

(24) Furthermore, it is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, that in a top view the pivots 32, 34, 36, 38 extend parallel to a longitudinal direction 44 of the connection plate 18.

(25) FIG. 5 shows the skateboard axle assembly 14 in a side view. The skateboard 10 is illustrated only partly.

(26) In the direction of travel 16 the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side, at which the articulated arms 28, 30 are mounted for rotation, are now located in front of the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side of the articulated arms 28, 30. The pivots 32-38 extend parallel in space, with the pivots 32, 34 being located vertically slightly lower in relation to the pivots 36, 38.

(27) The pivots 32-38 include an angle α with the connection plane 42 of the connection plate 18. The angle α may be between 0° and 80° here.

(28) In a preferred embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly 14, the angle α amounts to 0° to 15°, preferably to 0° to 10°. These angular ranges are preferably used if the skateboard axle assembly 14 is installed as the rear axle.

(29) When used as a rear axle, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may be mounted to the skateboard deck 20 in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are each located in front of the associated pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side in the direction of travel 16. Alternatively, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may be installed in an orientation opposite to that of FIG. 5. Then the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are each located behind the associated pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side in the direction of travel 16.

(30) As an alternative, the angle α may be between 45° and 80°, preferably between 65° and 75°. In the embodiment shown, the angle α amounts to approx. 70°. These angle sizes are preferably employed if the skateboard axle assembly 14 is used as the front axle.

(31) When used as a front axle, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may be mounted to the skateboard deck 20 in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are each located in front of the associated pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side in the direction of travel 16.

(32) Alternatively, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may be installed in an orientation opposite to that of FIG. 5. The pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are then each located behind the associated pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side in the direction of travel 16.

(33) FIGS. 6 and 7 show the skateboard axle assembly 14 in a deflected position, compared to the neutral position shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. This deflected position corresponds to a cornering of the skateboard 10.

(34) In FIG. 6, the skateboard axle assembly 14 can be seen in a front view. Here, the connection plate 18 has been swiveled relative to the wheel axle 22. This swiveling is carried out by the rider of the skateboard 10 by shifting his/her weight. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the swiveling corresponds to a left turn (cf. FIG. 1).

(35) The deflection illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 corresponds to the maximum deflection of the wheel axle 22 in relation to the connection plate 18, corresponding to a minimum curve radius of the skateboard 10.

(36) The deflection of the articulated arms 28, 30 is limited by a stop member 48 here. In FIG. 7, the articulated arm 28 strikes the stop member 48, which means that the articulated arm 28 cannot rotate any further clockwise with respect to the pivot 36 on the connection plate side. The stop member 48 is always arranged between the two articulated arms 28, 30.

(37) When, starting from the position in FIG. 7, the articulated arm 28 is swiveled counterclockwise about the pivot 36 on the connection plate side, the articulated arm 30 is swiveled counterclockwise about the pivot 38 on the connection plate side owing to the coupling via the wheel axle 22. This swiveling can only be carried out until the articulated arm 30 strikes the stop member 48.

(38) As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, the articulated arms 28, 30 include an angle of 85° to 95° relative to each other in each deflection position.

(39) Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 7 that the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are connected to the connection plate 18 by means of an intermediate piece 50.

(40) In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate piece 50 and the connection plate 18 are configured in one piece. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment the intermediate piece 50 also functions as the stop member 48.

(41) In the embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the two articulated arms 28, 30 are designed to be fork-shaped on that side that cooperates with the pivot 36, 38 on the connection plate side. This constitutes a design embodiment corresponding to the load. Alternatively, the other ends of the articulated arms 28, 30 may of course also be designed to be fork-shaped.

(42) In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the forward-facing axle assembly 12 steers in the same direction as the front one, rather than in the opposite direction, as was customary so far.

(43) The skateboard axle assembly 14 has been explained for the embodiment of the skateboard 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The skateboard axle assembly 14 may, however, also be mounted to the deck 20 of the skateboard 10 so as to be oriented oppositely with respect to the direction of travel 16.

(44) In addition, as already mentioned, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may also be used as the rear axle. It could then replace the skateboard axle assembly 12.

(45) Even if the skateboard axle assembly 14 is used as the rear axle, the skateboard axle assembly 14 may be used in two possible orientations with respect to the direction of travel 16.

(46) FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the skateboard axle assembly 14′. FIG. 8 is a side view which corresponds to FIG. 5. The skateboard axle assembly 14′ is in a neutral position here. FIG. 9 is a view of the skateboard axle assembly 14′ obliquely from the front and top in a neutral position, and FIG. 10 is a view of the skateboard axle assembly 14′ in a deflected position.

(47) Since the skateboard axle assembly 14′ largely corresponds to the skateboard axle assembly 14, only the differences will be discussed below.

(48) The embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 essentially by the configuration of the articulated arms 28′, 30′. In the second embodiment, the articulated arms 28′, 30′ are flat. They may be made, for example, of sheet steel or from a fiber composite material, in particular CFRP or GFRP.

(49) Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the angle α′ is selected to be significantly smaller than in the first one. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 is therefore preferably used as the rear axle.

(50) The wheel axle 22′ comprises extensions 52′ at which the pivots 32′, 34′ on the wheel axle side are mounted. These extensions 52′ can be used for setting the distance between the wheel axle 22′ and the pivots 32′, 34′ on the wheel axle side.

(51) This distance influences the turn-in ability of the skateboard axle assembly 14′ and thus the handling performance of the skateboard 10.

(52) The raising of the deck upon deflection from the neutral position (straight ahead travel) is symbolized in FIG. 10 by the double arrow. This principle of the axle assembly also applies to the previous embodiment.

(53) In addition, in the second embodiment the distances between the pivots 32′, 34′ on the wheel axle side and the respectively associated pivots 36′, 38′ on the connection plate side are selected such that they correspond to the distance between the two pivots on the connection plate side. In other words, the distance between the pivot 32′ on the wheel axle side and the associated pivot 36′ on the connection plate side corresponds to the distance between the pivot 36′ on the connection plate side and the pivot 38′ on the connection plate side. Likewise, the distance between the pivot 34′ on the wheel axle side and the pivot 38′ on the connection plate side corresponds to the distance between the two pivots 36′, 38′ on the connection plate side.

(54) FIG. 11 schematically shows three embodiments of the connection plate 18, 18′. The two embodiments a) and b) have exactly three openings 54, 56, 58 for mounting the connection plate 18, 18′ and thus the axle assembly 14, 14′ to the skateboard deck 20.

(55) A first opening 54 is arranged on a longitudinal axis 60 of the connection plate here. The longitudinal axis 60 of the connection plate may also be referred to as the central axis of the connection plate.

(56) A second and a third opening 56, 58 are spaced apart from the first opening 54 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 60 of the connection plate. In addition, the second and third openings 56, 58 are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 60 of the connection plate and spaced apart from it.

(57) The openings 54, 56, 58 are preferably in the form of holes or elongated holes.

(58) In the embodiment according to FIG. 11 c), four elongated holes 62 are arranged in the connection plate 18, 18′, the elongated holes 62 forming a rectangle which is symmetrical with a longitudinal axis 60′ of the connection plate.

(59) As can be seen in FIG. 11 c), the extent of the elongated holes 62 along the longitudinal axis 60′ of the connection plate may be different.

(60) FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the skateboard 10 in which the skateboard axle assembly 14 and the skateboard axle assembly 12 are mounted to the skateboard deck 20 as front and rear axle assemblies, respectively. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the skateboard axle assembly 12 is mounted in an opposite orientation.

(61) FIG. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment of the skateboard 10 which has two skateboard axle assemblies 14 mounted thereto, the two skateboard axle assemblies being oriented in the same direction. This means that, as viewed in the direction of travel 16, the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are located in front of the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side for both skateboard axle assemblies 14.

(62) An additional alternative embodiment of the skateboard 10 can be seen from FIG. 14. In this embodiment as well, two skateboard axle assemblies 14 are mounted to the skateboard deck 20. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 13, however, the skateboard axle assemblies 14 are oriented in opposite directions. This means that for both skateboard axle assemblies 14, the pivots 36, 38 on the connection plate side are closer to the associated end of the skateboard deck 20 than the pivots 32, 34 on the wheel axle side.

(63) Since the embodiment according to FIG. 14 is structured symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the skateboard, it has no preferred direction of travel.

(64) The embodiments of the skateboard 10 according to FIGS. 1, 12, 13 and 14 have been discussed by reference to the skateboard axle assembly 14. These embodiments of the skateboard 10 may, of course, also be equipped with the skateboard axle assembly 14′.

(65) Moreover, the embodiments according to FIGS. 13 and 14 may comprise one skateboard axle assembly 14 and one skateboard axle assembly 14′ each.