Variable length skateboard

Abstract

A human transportation device in the form of a variable length skateboard. The variable length skateboard provides a short embodiment allowing the rider greater handling and stopping ability and a long embodiment providing the rider with increased speed ability. The long and short embodiments can quickly and easily be transitioned between at any time or place by the insertion or extraction of at least one removable center deck section. The deck sections are coupled using thumb screw type fasteners and coupler plates thereby removing a need for tools to make the conversion between embodiments. The variable length skateboard provides its owner with multiple embodiments without having to purchase multiple skateboards.

Claims

1. A variable length skateboard comprising: a front deck section comprising a front skateboard truck and at least two front wheels coupled to an underside of the front deck section; a rear deck section comprising a rear skateboard truck and at least two rear wheels coupled to an underside of the rear deck section; a removable center deck section removably coupled to the front deck section and the rear deck section; at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the rear deck section configured to interchangeably couple the rear deck section to the removable center deck section and the front deck section; and at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the center removable deck section configured couple to the front deck section, wherein when the coupling plate coupled to the underside of the center removable deck section is uncoupled from the rear deck section and the coupling plate of the front deck section is uncoupled, the rear deck section is configured to couple to the front deck section using the coupling plate of the rear deck section.

2. The variable length skateboard of claim 1, wherein the front deck section, center deck section, and rear deck section comprise a layer of skateboard grip tape coupled to the top side of each deck section.

3. The variable length skateboard of claim 1, wherein the front coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the front deck section and the underside of the center deck section forming a flush connection between the front deck section and the center deck section and the rear coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the rear deck section and the underside of the center deck forming a flush connection between the rear deck section and the center deck section.

4. The variable length skateboard of claim 1, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the rear deck section to the rear coupler plate and the center deck section to the front coupler plate.

5. The variable length skateboard of claim 1, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners configured to interchangeably couple the rear coupler plate to the center deck section and the front coupler plate to the front deck section.

6. The variable length skateboard of claim 1, wherein: the rear deck section comprises 30-40% of an overall length of the variable length skateboard; the center deck section comprises 35-45% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard; and the front deck section comprises 15-25% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard.

7. A variable length skateboard comprising: a front deck section comprising a front skateboard truck and at least two front wheels coupled to an underside of the front deck section; a rear deck section comprising a rear skateboard truck and at least two rear wheels coupled to an underside of the rear deck section; a removable center deck section removably coupled to the front deck section and the rear deck section; at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the front deck section configured to interchangeably couple the front deck section to the removable center deck section and the rear deck section; and at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the center removable deck section configured couple to the rear deck section, wherein when the coupling plate coupled to the underside of the center removable deck section is uncoupled and the front deck section and the coupling plate of the rear deck section is uncoupled, the front deck section is configured to couple to the rear deck section using the coupling plate of the front deck section.

8. The variable length skateboard of claim 7, wherein the front deck section, center deck section, and rear deck section comprise a layer of skateboard grip tape coupled to the top side of each deck section.

9. The variable length skateboard of claim 7, wherein the front coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the front deck section and the underside of the center deck section forming a flush connection between the front deck section and the center deck section and the rear coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the rear deck section and the underside of the center deck forming a flush connection between the rear deck section and the center deck section.

10. The variable length skateboard of claim 7, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the front deck section to the front coupler plate and the center deck section to the rear coupler plate.

11. The variable length skateboard of claim 7, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners configured to interchangeably couple the rear coupler plate to the center deck section and the front deck section.

12. The variable length skateboard of claim 7, wherein the rear deck section comprises: 30-40% of an overall length of the variable length skateboard; the center deck section comprises 35-45% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard; and the front deck section comprises 15-25% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard.

13. A variable length skateboard comprising: a front skateboard truck and at least two front wheels coupled to an underside of the front deck section; a rear deck section comprising a rear skateboard truck and at least two rear wheels coupled to an underside of the rear deck section; at least one removable center deck section removably coupled to the front deck section and the rear deck section; at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the rear deck section configured to interchangeably couple the rear deck section to the removable center deck section and the front deck section; and at least one coupling plate coupled to the underside of the center removable deck section configured couple to the front deck section, wherein when the coupling plates decouple the removable center deck section from the rear deck section and the front deck section, the coupling plate of the rear deck section couples to the front deck section.

14. The variable length skateboard of claim 13, wherein the front deck section, center deck section, and rear deck section comprises a layer of skateboard grip tape coupled to the top side of each deck section.

15. The variable length skateboard of claim 13, wherein the front coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the front deck section and the underside of the center deck section forming a flush connection between the front deck section and the center deck section and the rear coupling plate is countersunk in to both the underside of the rear deck section and the underside of the center deck forming a flush connection between the rear deck section and the center deck section.

16. The variable length skateboard of claim 13, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the rear deck section to the rear coupler plate and the center deck section to the front coupler plate.

17. The variable length skateboard of claim 13, wherein the skateboard deck comprises a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners configured to interchangeably couple the rear coupler plate to the center deck section and the front deck section.

18. The variable length skateboard of claim 13, wherein the rear deck section comprises: 30-40% of an overall length of the variable length skateboard; the center deck section comprises 35-45% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard; and the front deck section comprises 15-25% of the overall length of the variable length skateboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of one implementation of a variable length skateboard.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts one implementation of a variable length skateboard in a short embodiment with a removable center deck section removed.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts one implementation of a variable length skateboard in a long embodiment with a removable center deck section present.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a profile perspective of a variable length skateboard in a short embodiment with a removable center deck section removed.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts a profile perspective of a variable length skateboard in a long embodiment with a removable center deck section present.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts one implementation of a variable length skateboard in a long embodiment with multiple removable center deck sections present.

(8) Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the invention is not limited to the examples that are described below.

(10) Embodiments of the variable length skateboard provide multiple options for the rider. For example, a short embodiment, comprising the front deck section coupled to the rear deck section, provides the rider with exceptional handling and stopping ability for urban environments where those attributes are necessary. The long embodiment, comprising the front and rear deck sections coupled to either end of the removable center deck section, provides the rider with the ability to travel at higher speeds. Other embodiments may incorporate more than one removable center deck sections.

(11) The variable length skateboard can quickly and easily convert between these two different embodiments. The ability to easily switch between the long and short embodiments allows a user to purchase one skateboard to serve multiple needs. The variable length skateboard embodied here also allows a rider to switch between the long and short embodiments at any location simply by traveling with the removable center deck section. A conventional skateboard, longboard, or shortboard do not provide the rider with the ability to choose different lengths while traveling.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 1, the long embodiment of a variable length skateboard 300 is shown. In the present embodiment, the variable length skateboard comprises a front deck section 105, a removable center deck section 106, and a rear deck section 107. In various embodiments, a layer of skateboard grip tape 108 is coupled to the upper side of the front deck section 105, the rear deck section 107, and the removable center deck section 106. Further, the front deck section 105 is interchangeably coupled to the removable center deck section 106 with a front coupler plate 101, and the rear deck section 107 is interchangeably coupled to the removable center deck section 106 with a rear coupler plate 102. In various embodiments the front coupler plate 101 and rear coupler plate 102 are coupled to the underside of the respective deck section using a plurality of fasteners 104. The front coupler plate 101 and rear coupler plate 102 are further coupled to the underside of the opposing respective deck section using thumb screw type fasteners, or equivalent, 103 to allow for easy coupling and uncoupling of deck sections. In various embodiments, it may be advantageous to size the deck sections in the manner that provides the greatest overall strength of the variable length skateboard. For example, the front deck section 105 may comprise 15-25% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The removable center deck section 106 may comprise 35-45% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The rear deck section 107 may comprise 30-40% of the total length of the skateboard.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 2, the underside of the short embodiment 201 of the variable length skateboard is shown. In this embodiment, the rear coupler plate 102 is coupled to the underside of the rear deck section 107 with a plurality of fasteners 104. The rear coupler plate 102 is coupled to the underside of the front deck section 105 with a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103. This embodiment comprises a front skateboard truck 203 having at least two front wheels 207 coupled to the underside of front deck section 105. Further, a rear skateboard truck 204 having at least two rear wheels 206 is coupled to the underside of the rear deck section 107. This embodiment comprises the rear coupler plate 102 being countersunk in to the underside of the rear deck section 107 and the underside of the removable center deck section 106 creating a flush union on the underside of the short embodiment of the variable length skateboard 300. Other embodiments may interchangeably couple the rear coupler plate 102 to the underside of the rear deck section 107 using a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103 and couple the rear coupler plate 102 to the underside of the front deck section 105 using a plurality of fasteners 104.

(14) Referring now to FIG. 3, the underside of the long embodiment of a variable length skateboard 300 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the rear coupler plate 102 is coupled to the underside of the rear deck section 107 using a plurality of fasteners 104. The front coupler plate 101 is coupled to the underside of the removable center deck section 106 using a plurality of fasteners 104 and is interchangeably coupled to the rear coupler plate 102 using a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103. The front coupler plate 101 is interchangeably coupled to the underside of the front deck section 105 using a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103. This embodiment comprises a front skateboard truck 203 having at least two front wheels 207 coupled to the underside of front deck section 105. Further, a rear skateboard truck 204 having at least two rear wheels 206 is coupled to the underside of the rear deck section 107. Further, the front coupler plate 101 is countersunk in to the underside of the front deck section 105 and the underside of the removable center deck section 106 creating a flush union on the underside of the long embodiment of the variable length skateboard 300. The rear coupler plate 102 is countersunk in to the underside of the rear deck section 107 and the underside of the removable center deck section 106 creating a flush union on the underside of the long embodiment of the variable length skateboard 300. Other embodiments may couple the rear coupler plate 102 to the underside of the rear deck section 107 using a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103 and to the underside of the removable center deck section 106 using a plurality of fasteners 104. The front coupler plate 101 may be coupled to the underside of the front deck section 105 using a plurality of fasteners 104 and to the underside of the removable center deck section 106 using a plurality of thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent 103.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 4, a profile view of the short embodiment of a variable length skateboard 201 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the proportions of each deck section are visible. In the short embodiment, the front deck section 105 comprises 30-45% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. Further, the rear deck section 107 comprises 55-70% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The deck section length percentages of this embodiment exhibit the preferred locations of deck seams to obtain the greatest overall deck strength possible. Further, this embodiment comprises a layered veneer composition of the deck sections. The deck sections may comprise at least two layers of Maplewood or equivalent veneer coupled together with an adhesive element. The veneer and adhesive layers are then compressed using mechanical force. In this embodiment, the veneer layers are shaped using a router, the coupler plates are countersunk using a router, and holes for fasteners are created using a drill.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 5, a profile view of the long embodiment of a variable length skateboard 300 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the proportions of each deck section are visible. In the long embodiment, the front deck section 105 comprises 15-25% of the total length of the variable length skateboard, the rear deck section 107 comprises 30-40% of the total length of the variable length skateboard, and the removable center deck section 106 comprises 35-45% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The deck section length percentages of this embodiment exhibit the preferred locations of deck seams to obtain the greatest overall deck strength possible. Further, this embodiment comprises a layered veneer composition of the deck sections. The deck sections may comprise at least two layers of Maplewood or equivalent veneer coupled together with an adhesive element. The veneer and adhesive layers are then compressed using mechanical force. In this embodiment, the veneer layers are shaped using a router, the coupler plates are countersunk using a router, and holes for fasteners are created using a drill.

(17) Referring now to FIG. 6, the long embodiment of a variable length skateboard with multiple center deck sections 600 is shown. In the present embodiment, the variable length skateboard comprises a front deck section 105, a removable center deck section 106, at least one additional center deck section 601, and a rear deck section 107. In various embodiments, a layer of skateboard grip tape 108 is coupled to the upper side of the front deck section 105, the rear deck section 107, and the removable center deck sections 106, 601. Further, the front deck section 105 is interchangeably coupled to the removable center deck section 106 with a front coupler plate 101, the second center deck section 601 is interchangeably coupled to the center coupler 602, and the rear deck section 107 is interchangeably coupled to the removable center deck section 106 with a rear coupler plate 102. In various embodiments the front coupler plate 101, center coupler plate 602, and rear coupler plate 102 are coupled to the underside of the respective deck section using a plurality of fasteners 104. The front coupler plate 101, center coupler plate 602, and rear coupler plate 102 are further coupled to the underside of the opposing respective deck section using thumb screw type fasteners, or equivalent, 103 to allow for easy coupling and uncoupling of deck sections. In various embodiments, it may be advantageous to size the deck sections in the manner that provides the greatest overall strength of the variable length skateboard. For example, the front deck section 105 may comprise 15-25% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The removable center deck section 106 may comprise 18-25% of the total length of the variable length skateboard. The second center deck section 601 may comprise 18-25% of the total length of the skateboard. The rear deck section 107 may comprise 30-40% of the total length of the skateboard. The preferred embodiment may include an additional coupler plate for each additional removable deck section. The additional coupler plate may be interchangeably coupled to the additional removable deck section with a plurality of fasteners and thumb screw type fasteners or equivalent.