Surfboard with Removable Wheels

Abstract

A wheeled system for engagement with a surfboard is provided. Wheeled trucks are configured for removable engagement with a lower surface of a surfboard using mounting plates or recessed connections. The removable engagement of the trucks allow a rider to ride on support surfaces such as the sidewalk, and to remove the trucks to employ the surfboard in the water. The removable trucks may be retrofitted to existing surfboards with an elastic or mechanical engagement, or may be provided in combination with a surfboard.

Claims

1. A wheeled apparatus for a surfboard, comprising: a pair of trucks, each of said pair of trucks having a top surface and each having a wheel operatively connected thereto; and a connector on each of said pair of trucks, each respective said connector removably engaging a respective truck to said lower surface of said surfboard at a respective mounting position thereon.

2. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 1, wherein said connector on each of said pair of trucks comprises: a first mounting member having a first end in a movable engagement with said truck, and having a distal end; a second mounting member having a first end engaged with said truck and having a distal end; an actuator engaged between said first mounting member and said truck, said actuator operable to move said distal end of said first mounting member in a direction away from said distal end of said second mounting member; and movement of said distal end of said first mounting member in said direction away from said distal end of said second mounting member forming a biased engagement of said first mounting member and said second mounting member with connectors on said lower surface of said surfboard.

3. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 2, wherein said biased engagement of said first mounting member and second mounting member with connectors on said lower surface of said surfboard comprises: a first notch adjacent said distal end of said first mounting member engaging over a first connecting member positioned on said lower surface of said surfboard; and a second notch adjacent said distal end of said second mounting member engaging over a second connecting member positioned on said lower surface of said surfboard.

4. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 3, wherein said first connecting member and said second connecting member are both located within a respective recess depending into said lower surface of said surfboard.

5. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 2 wherein said moveable engagement of said first end of said first mounting member is a rotational engagement upon said truck.

6. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 3 wherein said moveable engagement of said first end of said first mounting member is a rotational engagement upon said truck.

7. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 4 wherein said moveable engagement of said first end of said first mounting member is a rotational engagement upon said truck.

8. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 1 wherein said connector removably engaging each respective truck to said lower surface of said surfboard at a said respective mounting position thereon comprises: a pair of elastic straps, each engaged at a respective first end, to a respective one of said trucks; and a second end of each said elastic straps, having a first fastener thereon, said first fastener cooperatively engageable with a respective mating fastener connected to said respective truck to which said first end is engaged.

9. The wheeled apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising: projections extending from an engagement with said top surface of each respective said truck, said projections positioned to align in a registered engagement with mating recesses communicating into said lower surface of said surfboard.

10. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 2 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

11. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 3 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

12. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 4 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

13. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 5 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

14. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 6 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

15. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 7 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

16. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 8 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

17. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 9 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a preferred mode of the baseplate component comprising part of the removably engageable wheel assembly.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the baseplate component.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the baseplate component.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a preferred hanger component comprising part of the wheel assembly.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows an assembled view of the wheel assembly.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows the device with the preferred surfboard component configured with mounting means, such as plugs, for removable engagement with the wheel assembly.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a view of the device with the wheel assembly engaged to the surfboard component.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows the device having base plates which separate the board from the truck and angle the truck at an incline relative to the end of the surfboard on which it engages.

[0029] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the baseplate having elevational sections between the engagement surface and the truck engagement member.

[0030] FIG. 10 depicts a similar baseplate to that of FIG. 9 with an angled truck engagement member configured for the opposite side of the board.

[0031] FIG. 11 depicts a mode of the device wherein straps having an elastic quality are employed to position the base plates in operative engagement in an as-used position similar to the as-used positions of FIGS. 7-8.

[0032] FIG. 12 depicts the baseplate for the board of FIG. 11 having a friction enhancing pad and mounts for the distal end of straps of FIG. 13.

[0033] FIG. 13 shows the opposite mounting plate from FIG. 12 for the board of FIG. 11, and depicts the elastic straps which, when stretched, impart an encircling biased engagement of the board to hold the base plates in place.

[0034] FIG. 14 depicts a lower or bottom view of another mode of the device herein having recessed mounting positions for trucks which are engageable thereon.

[0035] FIG. 15 depicts the device as in FIG. 14, showing trucks removably connected to the mounting positions and showing wheels on the trucks adapted for rolling on a street or surface.

[0036] FIG. 16 shows an overhead view of the mode of the device of FIGS. 14 and 17 with a portion of the upper surface removed to show the opposing members providing mounting positions for the trucks which have translatable hooks for engagement on the opposing members.

[0037] FIG. 17 shows a truck of the device 10 herein, having mounting members extending from the truck which are moveable in directions toward and away from each other, such as by a biasing spring or by a threaded member which is knob rotated.

[0038] FIG. 18 shows the device as in FIGS. 11 and 16, showing the trucks operatively engaged with the mounting positions, and the surfboard adapted for use as a rolling platform or skateboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0040] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-18, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 views of the preferred baseplate component 12 comprising part of the removable engageable wheel assembly 11.

[0041] The baseplate 12 can be formed from conventional materials such as metal or plastic, and includes conventional truck hanger 20 engagement means 14, such as a bolt or ‘kingpin’. In another mode, conventional trucks 17 may be engaged with bolts, or other means, to the lower surface of a baseplate 14, or the projecting kingpin 14, at a proper angle, as shown in FIGS. 9-10 and 12-13.

[0042] The engagement surface 16 of the baseplate 12, includes a plurality of engagement members 18 projecting therefrom. The engagement members 18 are preferably configured for engagement to conventional recessed mounting means such as fin plugs 36 (FIG. 6). Fin plug systems are well known and the device 10 herein will function well with removably engageable projecting members 18 which are configured for removable cooperative engagement in a fin box or recessed mount, such as for instance the system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,963, which is made part hereof.

[0043] However it is within the scope of the invention to employ other means for removable engagement of the baseplate 12 to a surfboard 24 such as straps 37 shown herein, or other means as would occur to those skilled in the art and such are anticipated within the scope of this disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show views of a hanger component 20 which is engageable to the baseplate 12 by conventional means (i.e. kingpin and nut, bushings, and additional hardware). In FIG. 5 is shown the assembled removably engageable wheel assembly 11. FIG. 6 shows a view of the preferred surfboard component 24 of the device 10. The surfboard component 24 is comprised of a nose 26, tail 28, conventional fin engagement plugs 30, and left and right side rails 32. The surfboard component 24 is preferably configured to be functionally employable as a surfboard when the wheel assembly 11 is disengaged and conventional fins 31 (FIG. 14) are engaged within fin plugs 30.

[0045] The surfboard 24 may be formed any suitable manufacturing method known in the art. Further, as can be seen in the figure the bottom surface 34 of the surfboard 24 include a plurality of additional plug components 36 configured to removably engage the engagement members 18 of the baseplate 12 of the wheel assembly 11. A current preferred material for the board 24 if the device is sold in a complete component set would be epoxy, however other materials known may be employed so long as the means for engagement of the base plates 16 providing the mounts for the wheels 22 is strong enough to maintain the base plates 16 in the as used position during riding.

[0046] Briefly, the plug components 36 may be plugs conventionally known in the art, such as those provided by FCS brand, which include cavities configured to receive and secure the engagement members 18 projection from the baseplate 12. Securement is provided by set screws (not shown) or other securement means suitable for the intended purpose, such snap locks or the like. The surfboard 24 may additionally include reinforced portions 38, 40 disposed at or near the location of the engagement plugs 36. Reinforcement can be provided by forming the board 24 with additional layers of material, such as wood or fiberglass, and will allow the device 10 to withstand the forces associated with turning and maneuvering the device 10 with the wheel assembly 11 in the engaged position (FIG. 7). The device 10 may additionally include removably engageable nose 26, tail 28, and side rail 32 protectors which will provide additional protection to the specified areas. A rubber or padding material may be employed between the bottom surface 34 and baseplate 12 to further protect the board 24.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8 the device 10 has two especially preferred components which may be employed in all modes of the device 10. The base plate 16 have a base member 21 positioned to mate with the bottom surface of the board 24 and support it when the base plates 12 are in the as-used position as in FIGS. 7-8. However, experimentation has found that boards 24 can come in sizes which have widths which can contact the ground during hard turns of the board 24. Additionally, some riders tend to turn especially hard, such that even when riding narrower boards 24, they tend to scrape. Consequently, the base plates 12 formed with base members 21 having a pair of elevational members 23 extending between the base member 21 and the truck engagement member 27 have proven to work well to alleviate this problem. The elevational members 23 length which provides a rise “R” of anywhere from 2-8 inches from the bottom of the truck to the bottom surface of the board 24. This elevational addition provides a means to substantially prevent contact of the board 24 with the ground during hard turns and the like, and from contacting the wheels 22.

[0048] Because the distancing of the wheels 22 from each other on the hanger component 20 providing the axle, is generally preferred larger than that of a skateboard due to the larger size of the surfboard, the board can tend to be hard to turn. However it has been found that by angling the truck engagement member 27 between the first and second elevational members 23, that the board 24 with the device 10 in the as-used position, will turn easier. Thus an angle on the engagement member 27 upward relative toward the end of the board 24 it is mounted is desirable and angling the truck engagement member between 25-60 degrees is a preferred range. A 45-60 degree angle is especially preferred, however, the distance between the wheels 22 on their hanger 20 will effect this calculation. By imparting this angle to the truck engagement member 27 the king pin 14 will extend perpendicular thereto and this provides easier turning and more comfortable straight rides.

[0049] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the baseplate 12 having elevational members 23 supporting the truck engagement member 27 at an angle as noted with the kingpin 14 extending therefrom. FIG. 10 as noted shows a similar baseplate 12 configuration to that of FIG. 9 with an angled truck engagement member 27 at a rising angle toward the opposite side of the board 24 from that of FIG. 9.

[0050] FIG. 11 depicts a mode of the device 10 wherein straps 37 formed of an elastic material such as rubber rope, are employed to position the base member 21 of the base plates 12 in operative engagement with the bottom of the board 24, in an as-used position, similar to the as-used positions of FIGS. 7-8. The straps 37 may be employed by themselves to hold the baseplates 12 in the as-used position, or in conjunction with a means for maintaining the position of the baseplate 12 on the board 24 such as the engagement members 18 with fit within the cooperatively engaging recesses into the board 24 such as the engagement plugs 36, shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, a compressible member 41 such as a neoprene or rubber or polymeric pad, can be positioned between the baseplate 12 and board 24 as shown in FIG. 13 and the straps 37 which are engaged at a first end to the base plate 12 may be encircled around the top and sides of the board 24 and fastened to the baseplate 12 using cooperative fasteners 39 and 41 engaged to the strap 37 and the baseplate 12.

[0051] The configurations for this biased encircle engagement by the strap 37 may employ the base plates 16 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. As shown, the baseplate 12 for the board 24 supporting the wheels 22 in a rolling engagement, have a friction enhancing compressible member 41 for a sandwiched engagement between the baseplate 12 and the bottom of the board 24. With friction enhancing surface such as suction cups or ridges on the side of the compressible member 41 facing the board 24, slippage can me minimized or eliminated when the elastic straps 37 are stretched and thereby encircle and grip the sides and top of the board in a compressibly biased engagement. This biased engagement holds the straps 37 against the top of the board 24 and the baseplate 12 firmly in place against the bottom of the board 24 preferably with the compressible member 41 sandwiched therein. Of course as noted, projecting members such as the engagement members 18 may also be employed to project into mating sockets in the board 24 and through the compressible member 41 if present. This yields an especially sturdy mount and takes the pressure off of the recesses in the board 24 and the engagement members 18 if used alone.

[0052] In a minimal mode, for retrofitting boards 24, the device may be provided with the two base plates 16 and means to engage such to a board which in the simplest mode would be the elastic strap 37 engagement. The angled truck engagement member 27 may be at the preferred angles noted, or may be perpendicular if desired by a user.

[0053] From this minimal mode, the device is preferably provided as a matched set of assemblable components including a board 24 which is configured with appropriate recessed plugs 36 in positions to register in engagement with engagement members 18 projecting from the base plates 12. The base plates 12 will be configured with an angle between 45 and 60 degrees to properly position the kingpin 14 to project for the turning to match the turning radius to the rider and the board width and the wheel 22 separation.

[0054] Means for a removable connection or removable engagement of the base plates 12 to the as-used position on the board 24 may be the registered plug 36 recesses positioned to removably attach to engagement members 18. Or, the elastic straps 37 may be employed with or without the engagement members 18 and plugs 36. The elastic straps 37 may also be employed to hold pads 51 against the side rails of the board 24. The pads 51 may also be formed to engage in a compressed fit of the nose or tail within a pad 51 recess so that pads 51 may be engaged around the entire perimeter of the board 24 or in positions desired.

[0055] As noted, FIG. 14 depicts a lower or bottom view of another mode of the device 10 herein wherein trucks 17 having wheels 22 thereon, where the trucks 17 are configured with a removable connection engageable with a mounting position 72 on a bottom surface of a surfboard 24, with each at a respective mounting position 72 thereon. As shown, each mounting position 72 on the surfboard 24 has recesses 60 which have a mounting member 62 positioned therein. Each truck 17 can employ a respective removable connection to engage to a mounting position 72, employing a connection thereof to a connecting member 66 within the recess 60. As shown herein, this removable connection is between each connecting member 66 is provided by a notch 63 on each mounting member 62 which is adapted in diameter and shape, to engage with the connecting members 66 which extend away from top surfaces 68 of the trucks 17.

[0056] Each of the trucks 17 has at least two and as shown three or more mounting members 62 where at least one mounting member 62 is in a movable engagement, such as sliding or rotating engagement with a truck 17. So engaged to rotate or slide, at least one mounting member 62 on each truck 17, is configured to move in opposing directions whereby the notches 63 contact around the horizontally disposed mounting members 26 which are disposed in the recesses 60.

[0057] As noted, on each truck 17, at there are at least two mounting members 62 which are engaged to the truck 17. At least one of the two or more mounting members 62, is connected to the truck 17 so it will slide or rotate at a connecting point with the truck 17. In this fashion, a distal end 65 of at least one mounting member 62 can be biased toward or moved in a direction away from the one or two other connecting members 62 engaged to the opposite side of the truck 17.

[0058] In such a biased or forced movement of the distal end 65 of the moveable mounting member 62, the notch 63 of a first of the mounting members 62 is biased or forced in a first direction, such as toward the nose 26 of the surfboard 24, whereby the notch 63 therein engages with a connecting member 66 within a recess 60. Concurrently, on the same truck 17, once the notch 63 of the first of the mounting members 62 engages a connecting member 66, a second one of the mounting members 62 which is already engaged upon another connecting member 66 located toward the tail 28 of the surfboard 24 will be forced against it. Alternatively, the second of the mounting members 62 might also slide or move toward the tail 28 whereby the notch 63 on this second mounting member 62 engages with an opposing connecting member 66 on the opposite side of the truck 17.

[0059] It was found during experimentation, that two parallel mounting members 62 fixed on one side of the truck 17 and at least one rotatable or slidable mounting member 62, which has a distal end 64 which will move the opposite direction or away from the two parallel mounting members 62 under force or bias, worked better and was more stable. Such would be preferable, although one mounting member 62 having a distal end 65 moving and one fixed, or one mounting member 62 having a distal end 65 moving away from the other mounting member which was fixed on the truck 17 worked reasonably well to hold the truck 17 in a removable engagement in a mounting position 71, on the bottom surface of the surfboard 24.

[0060] The biasing force or mechanical force imparting the movement of the distal end of one or more mounting members 62, to locate opposing notches 63 on opposing mounting members 62 in positions apart sufficient to engage and hold the notches 63 upon respective connecting members 66 in a respective recess 60, can be imparted by springs forcing them toward the nose 26 and tail 28 of the surfboard 24, or, as shown, by rotation of a knob 70 which rotates a threaded member 71 engaged the rotationally engaged first mounting member 62, in a fashion where such rotation will force the distal end 65 of that first mounting member 62 in a first direction away from the location of the fixed pair of mounting members 62 on to other side of the same truck 17. Once the distal end 65 of the first or movably engaged mounting member 62 engages a connecting member 66 with a respective notch 63, it will force the notches 63 on the opposite mounting member 62 or members 62, into like engagements on a second connecting member 66 on the opposite side of the mounting position 72.

[0061] The removable engagement of the truck 17 to the surfboard 24 using the noted biased or mechanically forced mounting members 62 in engagements with respective connecting members 66, is shown in FIG. 15. As shown the trucks 17 are held removably connected to the mounting positions in this fashion. The wheels 22 on the trucks 17 are then situated to ride the surfboard 24 on the street or another surface. Removal is accomplished by moving the movable mounting members 62, to move their distal ends 65 toward each other by compressing a spring holding them, or by rotating the knob 70 in the opposite direction which will concurrently move the distal ends 65 of the mounting members 62 on a truck 17 closer together thereby disconnecting the notches 63 from the connecting members 66 in the recesses 60.

[0062] Shown in FIG. 16 is an overhead view of the mode of the device of FIGS. 14 and 17, with a portion of the upper surface of the surfboard 24 removed for better viewing. As shown, the mounting members 62 on each truck 17, are spring biased or mechanically moved, whereby the notches 63 on the opposing mounting members 62 have each engaged with a connecting member 66 mounted in a recess 60 in the surfboard 24. The recess can be reinforced with a metal or carbon fiber or fiberglass member if desired to provide additional strength to the surfboard 24 axially, and to provide a solid engagement of both ends of the horizontally disposed connecting members 66.

[0063] FIG. 17 shows a truck 17 of the device 10 herein, showing the mounting members 62 extending from the truck 17. A first of the mounting members 62 is rotationally engaged or could be slidably engaged, to the truck 17 and has a distal end 65 which is moveable such that the distal end 65 on all of the mounting members 62 will move toward and away from each other if all move, or toward and away from the other mounting member 62 or members which are fixed in position on the truck 17.

[0064] An actuator provides this movement such as rotation of a knob 70 engaged with a threaded member 71 as shown. Rotating the knob 70 in a first direction will move the distal end 65 of the threadably engaged mounting member 62, which is in a rotating connection on the truck 17, toward the distal ends 65 of the two other mounting members 62, which are in fixed engagements with the truck 17. Rotating the knob 70 in a second opposite direction will move the distal end 65 of the threadably engaged mounting member 62, closer to the distal ends 65 of the opposing mounting members 62, which as noted are in fixed engagements to the truck 17.

[0065] Shown in FIG. 18 is the device as in FIG. 15, showing the trucks 17 removable engaged in mounting positions 72 on the surfboard 24 by the engagement of opposing mounting members 62 with the connecting members 66 in recesses 60 operatively positioned to hold the trucks 17 in the mounting position 72 once so engaged.

[0066] This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The explication of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application; other applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention.

[0067] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0068] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.