Braking system for a recreational riding-board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a braking system for a recreational riding-board. The braking system includes a braking mechanism and an activating means. The braking mechanism is adapted to slow down or stop, the motion of the riding-board. The activating means is adapted to control the braking mechanism. The activating means in use is located between the middle and rear end of the riding-board.

Claims

1. A braking system for a recreational riding-board, the braking system comprising: a braking mechanism configured to at least one of slow down or stop the motion of the riding-board; and an activating means in the form of a pliable tether configured to control the braking mechanism, wherein: the braking mechanism comprises at least one brake pad and at least one lever, the lever having a first end and a second end; the lever is connected to a truck of the riding-board via a pivot hinge located intermediate the first and the second end of the lever; the lever is connected at the second end to the brake pad; the pliable tether is removably attached to the riding-board via connection of the pliable tether to the first end of the lever; and the pliable tether is configured to be tensioned when pulled so as to: (1) directly and instantaneously activate the brake pad of the braking mechanism via pivoting of the lever about the pivot hinge, and (2) simultaneously brace a rider against forward momentum.

2. The braking system of claim 1, wherein the tether comprises: a first end configured, in use, to be held by a rider; and a second end operatively connected to the braking mechanism via the connection to the first end of the lever.

3. The braking system of claim 2, wherein the tether comprises a first portion including the first end, the first end including a handle configured to facilitate gripping by the rider and being disposed on one side of the riding-board.

4. The braking system of claim 3, wherein the tether comprises a second portion including the second end and a third portion including a third end, both of the second and third portions being disposed on an opposing side of the riding-board relative to the first portion.

5. The braking system of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the tether is covered by a telescopic sheath extending from the upper surface of the skateboard.

6. The braking system of claim 1, further comprising a means located between the middle and rear end of the riding-board, said means providing a fulcrum for activation of the braking mechanism by the tether.

7. The braking system of claim 6, wherein: the recreational riding-board is a skateboard; and the means providing a fulcrum for activation of the braking mechanism is an aperture.

8. The braking system of claim 7, wherein the aperture is located toward the rear end of the riding-board so as to provide the fulcrum against which the tether bears.

9. The braking system of claim 1, wherein the tether, in use, is located in the vicinity of the rear end of the riding-board.

10. The braking system of claim 1, wherein the tensioned tether is configured for inhibiting further forward momentum of the rider caused by braking.

11. The braking system of claim 1, wherein part of the activating means is in the form of at least one of a stick, a rod, or a wire.

12. The braking system of claim 1, wherein the the one or more levers are pivotally hinged, via the pivot hinge, toward the rear of the riding-board.

13. The braking system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one brake pad comprises two brake pads; the at least one lever comprises two levers; the pliable tether includes a first portion configured, in use, to be held by a rider; and the pliable tether includes a second portion having separate and distinct first and second ends thereof, the first end of the second portion being connected to the first end of a first of the two levers, the second end of the second portion being connected to the first end of a second of the two levers.

14. A braking system for a recreational riding-board, the braking system comprising: a braking mechanism configured to at least one of slow down or stop the motion of the riding-board; and an activating means in the form of a pliable tether configured to control the braking mechanism, wherein: the braking mechanism comprises two brake pads and two levers, each lever having a first end and a second end; each of the two levers is connected to a truck of the riding-board via respective pivot hinges, each pivot hinge being located intermediate the first and the second ends of the respective two levers; each of the two levers is connected at the second end to a respective one of the two brake pads; the pliable tether is configured to be tensioned when pulled so as to: (1) directly and instantaneously activate the two brake pads of the braking mechanism via pivoting of each of the two levers about their respective pivot hinges, and (2) simultaneously enable bracing of a rider against forward momentum, the pliable tether has at least one end portion that comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the first end of one of the two levers, the second end being attached to the first end of the other of the two levers.

15. The braking system of claim 14, wherein the two brake pads are further simultaneously activated in response to pivoting of each of the two levers about their respective pivot hinges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the rear of a skateboard with a braking system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention mounted on the rear wheels;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the braking system of FIG. 1 mounted on the truck of the skateboard with the board removed;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the braking system of FIG. 1 mounted onto the rear of the skateboard;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the braking system of FIG. 1 mounted to the rear of the skateboard, the tether of the braking system covered by a telescopic sheath;

(6) FIG. 4a is a bottom view of the rear of the skateboard with a braking system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention mounted on the rear wheels;

(7) FIG. 5 is a plan view of a braking system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention mounted on a snowboard or sandboard;

(8) FIG. 6 is a side view of the braking system of FIG. 5 mounted on the snowboard or sandboard with the lever in a retracted position;

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the rear of the snowboard or sandboard with the braking system of FIG. 5 having the lever in the retracted position;

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the bottom of the snowboard or sandboard with the lever of the braking system of FIG. 5 in the retracted position through the slots of the snowboard;

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the snowboard or sandboard with the braking system of FIG. 5 with the lever in a braking position;

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the snowboard or sandboard with the braking system of FIG. 5 with a modified lever;

(13) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a braking system for a snowboard or sandboard in accordance with a yet further embodiment -With an impediment in an operating position;

(14) FIG. 12 is a plan view of the braking system of FIG. 11;

(15) FIG. 13 is a side view of the braking system of FIG. 11;

(16) FIG. 14 is a perspective view from one side of the braking system of FIG. 11 with the impediment in a non-operating position; and

(17) FIG. 15 is a perspective view from an end, of the braking system of FIG. 11 with the impediment in a non-operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(18) Different embodiments of the braking system of the present invention are intended to be applicable to different recreational riding-boards such as skateboards and snowboards which are illustrated and described herein. However, it should be noted that the braking system of the present invention may be applied to other types of recreational riding-boards such as sandboards. It should also be noted that the braking system of the present invention is retrofittable onto a used riding-board.

(19) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment of a braking system 12 is shown being mounted on a skateboard 10. The braking system 12 includes a braking mechanism and an activating means which is in the form of a pliable tether 14. The braking mechanism is provided in order to enable a rider (not shown) to slow down or stop the motion of the skateboard. It should be noted that the activating means in use is located between the middle and rear end of the riding-board. Generally speaking, better control would be attained by having the activating means located towards the rear end of the riding-board. However, the ideal location of the activating means may vary depending on the landscape on which skating takes place as the centre of gravity shifts and hence it is contemplated that the activating means may be provided at more than one location.

(20) As best shown in FIG. 3, the tether 14 has a first end 16 with a handle 18 for gripping by a rider, and second and third ends 20 and 22 operatively and respectively connected to the braking mechanism (see below for details).

(21) As best shown in FIG. 1, the skateboard 10 has an aperture 24 which is located toward the rear 26 of the skateboard 10. The tether 14 includes a first portion 28 (see FIG. 3) having the first end 16 and being disposed on an upper side of the skateboard 10. The 15 tether 14 also has a second portion 30 with the second end 20 and a third portion 32 with a third end 22. Both of the second and third portions 30 & 32 are disposed on an underside of the skateboard 10.

(22) The second and third portions 30 and 32 meet at a meeting point 34 and merge to become the first portion 28 which extends through the aperture 24 being exposed on the upper side of the skateboard 10. In use, the aperture 24 provides a fulcrum against which the tether 14 bears.

(23) As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the braking mechanism includes a pair of levers 36 and 38. Each of the lever 36, 38 is connected to a truck 40 of the skateboard 10 via a pivot hinge 42, 44 (see FIG. 2). Each end 20, 22 of the tether 14 is connected to one 25 end 46, 48 of a corresponding lever 36, 38. The other end 50, 52 of each lever 36, 38 is attached to a braking means in the form of a brake pad 54, 56 which in use is configured to engage a rear wheel 58, 60 of the skateboard 10.

(24) In use, the tether 14 is generally in a slack state as best shown in FIG. 3. When pulled by the rider, the tether 14 changes from the slack state to a tensioned state. As a result, the levers 36 & 38 are pulled to pivot about the hinges 42 & 44 thereby causing the brake pads 54 & 56 to engage the wheels 58 & 60 respectively. The tensioned tether 14 also enables the rider to gain leverage and maintaining the pulling force. As such, the rider is able to activate the braking mechanism and bracing him or her self against forward momentum simultaneously. Furthermore, the tensioned tether 14 is capable of inhibiting further forward momentum of the rider caused by braking.

(25) Referring to FIG. 4, as an alternative, the first portion 28 of the tether 14 is covered by a telescopic sheath 62 which extends from the upper surface of the skateboard 10 all the way to a handle which is in the shape of a spherical knob 64.

(26) It is contemplated that the braking mechanism may have an additional pair of levers for the two front wheels (not shown) of the skateboard 10. In such an embodiment, the tether 14 has fourth and fifth portions, each having an end connected to a corresponding additional lever which is affixed to the front truck.

(27) Also, although not shown in the accompanying drawings, each of the levers may be a cam lever or spring loaded such that once the rider stops exerting a pulling force on the tether 14 via the handle 18, the levers 36 and 38 will pivot back to the original positions thereby effecting disengagement of the brake pads 54 & 56 from the wheels 58 & 60.

(28) Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the braking system 12C with a different braking mechanism is shown. This braking mechanism has two levers 100 & 102, each being connected to a truck 104 of the skateboard 10 via a pivot hinge 106, 108. Each of tether portions 110 & 112 is connected to one end of the corresponding lever 100, 102. Each lever 100, 102 when pulled, is designed to cause engagement of a brake pad 114, 116 with the corresponding wheel 58, 60 thereby effecting braking of the skateboard 10.

(29) Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 9, a further embodiment 12A of the braking system is shown being mounted on a snowboard 66. The snowboard 66 has two apertures 68 & 70 each in the form of a slot located toward the rear end 72 of the snowboard 66. The rear end 72 of the snowboard is designed to bend upwards which means that when in use, the rear end 72 is not in contact with the snow surface.

(30) In the present embodiment, the braking mechanism has a tether 14A which is tied to a U-shaped lever 74 which is located toward the rear end 72 of the snowboard 66. The lever 74 follows a curve which conforms to the bend toward the rear end 72 of the snowboard 66. The U-shaped lever 74 has a pair of prongs 76 & 78. The middle of each prong 76, 78 is pivotally hinged to the snowboard 66 and spring loaded. As such, when the front end 80 of the lever 74 is lifted from a retracted position by the pulling force exerted by the tensioned tether 14A, the prongs 76 & 78, which are aligned with corresponding slots 68 & 70, are pivoted into a braking position where the prongs are lowered to plough into the snow through the slots 68 & 70. The lever 74 is spring loaded such that it is biased back into the retracted position when the pulling force is no longer exerted by the tether 14.

(31) As best shown in FIG. 9, each prong 76, 78 has two fingers 82 & 84 which in use plough into the snow in order to slow down or stop the forward motion of the snowboard 66. Referring to FIG. 10, as an alternative, each finger 82, 84 is attached to an elongate snowplough 86, 88 which is configured to provide an enhanced ploughing effect.

(32) Referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, a yet further embodiment of the braking system 12D with a different braking mechanism is provided. Another embodiment of a snowboard (not shown) is provided having only one aperture in the form of a slot adapted to accommodate this braking mechanism.

(33) Referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, in this embodiment, the braking mechanism has a lever 118 which is tied at one end 120 to a tether (not shown) and pivotally hinged toward the rear of the snowboard (not shown) via a holder 122. The lever 118 follows a curve which conforms to a bent rear end of the snowboard.

(34) The lever 118 is connected to a curved blade 124 at one end 127. The blade 124 is adapted in use to plough into or through snow (or sand in the case of the riding-board being a sandboard). The lever 118 is pivotally connected to the holder 122 which is affixed to the snowboard via fixing means 126 which may be rivets or screws. Similar to the previously described embodiment, the lever 118 is equipped with biasing means such that it is biased back into the retracted position when not in use.

(35) As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the holder 122 has two portions 122A & 122B which are respectively affixed to the surface of the snowboard. The braking mechanism has an impediment in the form of a pin 128 which in combination with the holder 122 is capable of restricting pivotal movement of the lever 118. As such, the extent to which the blade 124 ploughs into the snow may be controlled by installation or removal of the pin 128. The pin 128 which is designed in use to go through holes provided in the holder portions 122A & 122B. Once put in place, the pin 128 functions to prevent the level 118 from pivoting beyond 45 degrees to the horizontal, for example, such that the blade 124 in turn is restricted from ploughing deep into the snow. If desired, the pin 128 may be removed from the holder 122 in order to allow the blade 124 to plough deep into the snow. Turning to FIGS. 13 to 15, the removed pin 128 may be placed and stored in a hole 130 provided at the other end 132 of the lever 118. Now that preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the braking system of the present invention may offer at least the following advantages: 1. it enables braking of the riding-board as well as enabling the rider to brace his or her self such that he or her won't lose balance; 2. it provides the rider with leverage during braking such that the rider doesn't get thrown off balance by the forward momentum resulting from braking; 3. it facilitates safe board-riding; 4. it makes it safer and easier for starters to learn to ride a recreational board; 5. it is easy to install/retrofit and use; 6. in the case of a snowboard, it allows the user to adjust the braking mechanism to suit different snow conditions

(36) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.