Longboard-skateboard and longboard-skateboard conversion kit

Abstract

An apparatus for converting a snowboard to a longboard-type skateboard. The resulting longboard combines the properties of a snowboard with those of a skateboard to provide a unique ride. The longboard-skateboard conversion kit uses a board from either a new or reclaimed source; skateboard truck assemblies; and one or more support structure(s) made of firm but flexible materials that allow strength to account for longer length; flexion, rebound, stability and vibration-damping.

Claims

1. A set of structural support members for converting a conventional snowboard to a longboard-skateboard comprising: providing a conventional snowboard deck; and said deck comprising an upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface; and said deck further comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion; and said deck having a deck-centerline about the long axis of the deck; and at least two structural members, each having a long central axis; and said two structural members mounted on the substantially flat lower surface of said deck mirrored about said deck-centerline; and providing a first skateboard truck assembly and a second skateboard truck assembly; and said first truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck front portion; and said second truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck rear portion; wherein said structural members provide sufficient structure to prevent excessive flexion of the deck such that the lower portion of the deck does not contact a surface over which the truck assemblies are in contact with; and wherein said structural members return to their original shape after being flexed.

2. A set of structural support members for converting a conventional snowboard to a longboard-skateboard comprising: providing a conventional snowboard deck; and said deck comprising an upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface; and said deck further comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion; and said deck having a deck-centerline about the long axis of the deck; and at least two substantially linear-structural members, each having a long central axis; and providing a first skateboard truck assembly and a second skateboard truck assembly; and said first truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck front portion; and said second truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck rear portion; and said two substantially linear structural members mounted on the substantially flat lower surface of said deck mirrored about said deck centerline, and substantially parallel with said deck centerline; wherein said substantially linear members provide sufficient structure to prevent excessive flexion of the deck such that the lower portion of the deck does not contact a surface over which the truck assemblies are in contact with; and wherein said substantially linear members return to their original shape after being flexed.

3. The linear-structural members of claim one further comprising; fiber-reinforced, thermoset, composite material.

4. The linear-structural members of claim one further comprising; injection-molded carbon-fiber reinforced nylon.

5. A set of structural support members for converting a conventional snowboard to a longboard-skateboard comprising: providing a snowboard deck; and said deck comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and said deck further comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion; and a deck-centerline along the long axis of the deck; and at least two substantially curved members having a radius between 73 cm and 89 cm; and said at least two substantially curved members, each comprising an imaginary tangent line that is tangent to said radius proximal to the middle of said radius; and said substantially curved members mounted on the lower surface of said deck mirrored about said deck-centerline; and said substantially curved members positioned with said tangent-lines substantially collinear with said deck centerline; and providing a first skateboard truck assembly and a second skateboard truck assembly; and said first truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck front portion; and said second truck assembly mounted on said deck lower surface, proximal to said deck rear portion; wherein said substantially curved members provide sufficient structure to prevent excessive flexion of the deck such that the lower portion of the deck does not contact a surface over which the truck assemblies are in contact with; and wherein said substantially curved members return to their original shape after being flexed.

6. The set of structural support members of claim five further comprising fiber-reinforced, thermoset, composite material.

7. The set of structural support members of claim five further comprising injection-molded carbon-fiber reinforced nylon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an orthographic, side view of an example embodiment using two straight support braces;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective, bottom view of the example embodiment of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is an orthographic, side view of an example embodiment using two curved support braces;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective, bottom view of the example embodiment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(5) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a longboard-skateboard deck 110 fitted with two sets of trucks 112, supporting wheels 114, and two straight support braces 116 that have midsections near the longboard-skateboard's centerline 118. The embodiment comprises a middle section 130, a front section 128 with a curve beginning near section line 122 and ending near section line 120, and a back section 132 comprised of a curve beginning near section line 124 and ending near section line 126.

(6) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a longboard-skateboard deck 210 fitted with two sets of trucks 212, supporting wheels 214, and two curved support braces 216 that follow the edge contour of the longboard-skateboard deck. A tangent line 217 extends from each support brace 216 proximal to the center of its radius. Tangent lines 217 are substantially parallel to the longboard-skateboard centerline 218. The longboard-skateboard comprises a middle section 230; a front section 228 that curves from section line 222 to section line 220, and a back section 232 that curves from section line 224 to section line 226.

(7) The present disclosure is described by example which is not meant to limit it.