U.S. patent application number 10/810549 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for compact foldable skateboard.
Invention is credited to Hong, Thomas K..
Application Number | 20050212246 10/810549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34988883 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050212246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong, Thomas K. |
September 29, 2005 |
Compact foldable skateboard
Abstract
A compact foldable skateboard comprises a central board portion,
a front board portion and a rear board portion. The front board
portion and the central board portion are connected one to the
other in rear edge to front edge relation, by a hinge, for
longitudinal folding movement between a flat in-use configuration
and a folded storage configuration. The rear board portion and the
central board portion are connected one to the other in front edge
to rear edge relation, by a hinge, for longitudinal folding
movement between a flat in-use configuration and a folded storage
configuration. In a flat in-use configuration, the front board
portion, the rear board portion and the central board portion are
vertically and horizontally aligned one with the other. In a folded
storage configuration, the front board portion and the central
board portion face each other.
Inventors: |
Hong, Thomas K.; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS K. HONG
UNIT 18
1666 QUEEN STREET EAST
TORONTO
ON
M4L 1G3
CA
|
Family ID: |
34988883 |
Appl. No.: |
10/810549 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/87.042 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 2203/10 20130101;
A63C 17/015 20130101; A63C 17/12 20130101; A63C 17/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/087.042 |
International
Class: |
A63C 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A compact foldable skateboard comprising: a central board
portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a
right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, and defining a
longitudinal axis extending between said front edge and said rear
edge; a front board portion having a top surface, a bottom surface,
a left side edge, a right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge;
wherein said front board portion and said central board portion are
connected one to the other in rear edge to front edge relation, by
a front hinge means, for longitudinal folding movement with respect
to each other between a flat in-use configuration whereat said
front board portion and said central board portion are vertically
and horizontally aligned one with the other, and a folded storage
configuration whereat said front board portion and said central
board portion face each other; selectively operable front locking
means is mounted on one of said front board portion and said
central board portion for releasably locking said front board
portion and said central board portion in said flat in-use
configuration; a front wheel carriage mounted on one of said front
board portion and said central board portion; a rear board portion
having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a right
side edge, a front edge and a rear edge; wherein said rear board
portion and said central board portion are connected one to the
other in front edge to rear edge relation, by a rear hinge means,
for longitudinal folding movement with respect to each other
between a flat in-use configuration whereat said rear board portion
and said central board portion are vertically and horizontally
aligned one with the other, and a folded storage configuration
whereat said rear board portion and said central board portion face
each other; selectively operable rear locking means is mounted on
one of said rear board portion and said central board portion for
releasably locking said rear board portion and said central board
portion in said flat in-use configuration; and, a rear wheel
carriage mounted on one of said rear board portion and said central
board portion.
2. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 1, wherein said front
hinge means comprises a front pivot hinge having first and second
portions held together by a common pin member for pivotal movement
about a front pivot axis defined by said common pin member, and
wherein said rear hinge means comprises a rear pivot hinge having
first and second portions held together by a common pin member for
pivotal movement about a rear pivot axis defined by said common pin
member.
3. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 2, wherein said front
pivot axis and said rear pivot axis are each oriented substantially
transversely to said longitudinal axis.
4. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 3, wherein said
longitudinal folding movement of said front board portion with
respect to said central board portion comprises relative pivotal
movement of said front board portion and said central board portion
about said front pivot axis, and said longitudinal folding movement
of said rear board portion with respect to said central board
portion comprises relative pivotal movement of said rear board
portion and said central board portion about said rear pivot
axis.
5. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 1, wherein in said
folded storage configuration, said top surface of said front board
portion faces said top surface of said central board portion and
said top surface of said rear board portion faces said top surface
of said central board portion.
6. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 1, wherein said front
locking means comprises a dead bolt slidably mounted within a main
housing secured to one of said front board portion and said central
board portion and a bolt receiving portion mounted on the other of
said front board portion and said central board portion, and
wherein said rear locking means comprises a dead bolt slidably
mounted within a main housing secured to one of said rear board
portion and said central board portion and a bolt receiving portion
mounted on the other of said rear board portion and said central
board portion.
7. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 6, whereat said main
housing of said front locking means is mounted on said central
board portion and terminates at said front edge of said central
board portion.
8. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 6, whereat said main
housing of said rear locking means is mounted on said central board
portion and terminates at said rear edge of said central board
portion.
9. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 6, whereat said main
housing of said front locking means is mounted on said central
board portion and terminates beyond said front edge of said central
board portion.
10. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 6, whereat said main
housing of said rear locking means is mounted on said central board
portion and terminates beyond said rear edge of said central board
portion.
11. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 1, further comprising
a braking means having a pivot axle pivotally mounted on said rear
board portion, an actuation arm means extending outwardly from said
pivot axle so as to be readily accessible to a rider, and at least
one brake pad operatively mounted on said pivot axle for frictional
engagement with said rear wheel carriage.
12. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 1, wherein said bolt
receiving portion includes a catch portion, and said dead bolt has
a co-operating notch for receiving said catch portion therein.
13. A compact foldable skateboard comprising: a front board portion
having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a right
side edge, a front edge and a rear edge; a front wheel carriage
mounted on said front board portion; a rear board portion having a
top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a right side edge,
a front edge and a rear edge; a rear wheel carriage mounted on said
rear board portion; wherein said front board portion and said rear
board portion are connected one to the other in rear edge to front
edge relation, by a hinge means, for longitudinal folding movement
with respect to each other between a flat in-use configuration
whereat said front board portion and said rear board portion are
vertically and horizontally aligned one with the other, and a
folded storage configuration whereat said front board portion and
said rear board portion face each other; and, selectively operable
locking means mounted on one of said front board portion and said
rear board portion for releasably locking said front board portion
and said rear board portion in said flat in-use configuration.
14. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 13, wherein said hinge
means comprises a pivot hinge having first and second portions held
together by a common pin member for pivotal movement about a pivot
axis defined by said common pin member.
15. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 14, wherein said pivot
axis is oriented substantially transversely to said longitudinal
axis.
16. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 15, wherein said
longitudinal folding movement of said front board portion and said
rear board portion with respect to each other comprises relative
pivotal movement of said front board portion and said rear board
portion about said pivot axis.
17. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 13, wherein in said
folded storage configuration, said top surface of said front board
portion faces said top surface of said rear board portion.
18. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 13, wherein said
locking means comprises a dead bolt slidably mounted within a main
housing secured to one of said front board portion and said rear
board portion and a bolt receiving portion mounted on the other of
said front board portion and said rear board portion.
19. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 13, further comprising
a braking means having a pivot axle pivotally mounted on said rear
board portion, an actuation arm means extending outwardly from said
pivot axle so as to be readily accessible to a rider, and at least
one brake pad operatively mounted on said pivot axle for frictional
engagement with said rear wheel carriage.
20. The compact foldable skateboard of claim 13, wherein said bolt
receiving portion includes a catch portion, and said dead bolt has
a co-operating notch for receiving said catch portion therein.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to skateboards, and more
particularly to skateboards that are foldable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Skateboards have been known for years and typically consist
of a generally flat board with upturn front and back ends, and a
pair of wheels mounted adjacent each of the front and back ends. A
rider places one foot on the skateboard and propels himself along
by pushing with the other foot on the ground. Once a rider has
reached a desired speed, both feet are placed on the skateboard in
a spaced apart stance. Skateboards are typically about perhaps two
feet long by eight to ten inches wide so as to be large enough to
readily accommodate a rider's feet in a spaced apart stance.
[0003] While it is common for skateboard riders to use skateboard
recreationally, it is also common for them to use skateboards for
travelling to nearby locations. However, due to the size of a
typical skateboard, many skateboarders do not skateboard to places
such as school, the mall, and so on, since it is necessary to
either carry the skateboard around for a long period of time or to
store the skateboard somewhere.
[0004] What is needed is a compact foldable skateboard that is easy
to carry around, such as in a backpack, and is easy to store.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,719 issued Jul. 6, 1993 to Goodspeed,
discloses a Skateboard. This skateboard has a pedal mounted on top
of the front end of the deck. The front wheels are powered through
a pulley mechanism by the pedal. However, the deck itself is not
foldable.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,751 issued Dec. 12, 2002 to Wu et al,
discloses a Skating Board Folding Structure. This unit is actually
closer to a scooter than a skateboard, and the front wheel and the
handle stem are pivotally mounted onto the board portion at a pivot
at the front of the board.
[0007] A folding skateboard is unknown in the prior art.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
foldable skateboard.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
foldable skateboard that can readily be carried in a backpack.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
folding skateboard that is compact when folded.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
folding skateboard that is easy to fold between its straight in-use
configuration and its folded carrying configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed a novel compact foldable skateboard comprises a
central board portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a
left side edge, a right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge,
and defining a longitudinal axis extending between the front edge
and the rear edge. A front board portion has a top surface, a
bottom surface, a left side edge, a right side edge, a front edge
and a rear edge. The front board portion and the central board
portion are connected one to the other in rear edge to front edge
relation, by a front hinge means, for longitudinal folding movement
with respect to each other between a flat in-use configuration
whereat the front board portion and the central board portion are
vertically and horizontally aligned one with the other, and a
folded storage configuration whereat the front board portion and
the central board portion face each other. A selectively operable
front locking means is mounted on one of the front board portion
and the central board portion for releasably locking the front
board portion and the central board portion in the flat in-use
configuration. A front wheel carriage is mounted on one of the
front board portion and the central board portion. A rear board
portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a
right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge. The rear board
portion and the central board portion are connected one to the
other in front edge to rear edge relation, by a rear hinge means,
for longitudinal folding movement with respect to each other
between a flat in-use configuration whereat the rear board portion
and the central board portion are vertically and horizontally
aligned one with the other, and a folded storage configuration
whereat the rear board portion and the central board portion face
each other. A selectively operable rear locking means is mounted on
one of the rear board portion and the central board portion for
releasably locking the rear board portion and the central board
portion in the flat in-use configuration. A rear wheel carriage is
mounted on one of the rear board portion and the central board
portion.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel compact foldable skateboard comprises a
front board portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left
side edge, a right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A front
wheel carriage is mounted on the front board portion. A rear board
portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side edge, a
right side edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A rear wheel
carriage is mounted on the rear board portion. The front board
portion and the rear board portion are connected one to the other
in rear edge to front edge relation, by a hinge means, for
longitudinal folding movement with respect to each other between a
flat in-use configuration whereat the front board portion and the
rear board portion are vertically and horizontally aligned one with
the other, and a folded bolt receiving portion 105 storage
configuration whereat the front board portion and the rear board
portion face each other. A selectively operable locking means is
mounted on one of the front board portion and the rear board
portion for releasably locking the front board portion and the rear
board portion in the flat in-use configuration.
[0014] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of the compact foldable skateboard according to the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of
operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof,
will be better understood from the following drawings in which a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however,
that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and
description only, and are not intended as a definition of the
limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment skateboard according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment
skateboard of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment
skateboard of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment skateboard of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment skateboard of FIG. 1, but with the skateboard in its
folded carrying configuration;
[0021] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partially cut away bottom plan view of
a portion of the preferred embodiment skateboard of FIG. 1,
specifically showing the locking mechanism, with the locking
mechanism in an unlocked configuration;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partially cut away bottom plan view
similar to FIG. 6, but with the locking mechanism in a partially
locked configuration;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partially cut away bottom plan view
similar to FIG. 6, but with the locking mechanism in a fully locked
configuration;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional side elevational view of the second
preferred embodiment skateboard according to the present invention;
and,
[0025] FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevational view of the third
preferred embodiment skateboard according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10 of the drawings, it will be
noted that FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a first preferred
embodiment of the compact foldable skateboard of the present
invention, FIG. 9 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the
compact foldable skateboard of the present invention, and FIG. 10
illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the compact foldable
skateboard of the present invention.
[0027] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 8, which show
a first preferred embodiment of the compact foldable skateboard of
the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral
20. The compact foldable skateboard 20 comprises a central board
portion 30, a front board portion 40, and a rear board portion 50,
each made from layers of wood laminated together, or any other
suitable material. The material must be strong enough to support
the weight of a rider under dynamic load conditions, yet must be
flexible enough to allow for the absorption of impact and to permit
control of the skateboard through various movements, as is well
known in the art.
[0028] The central board portion 30 has a top surface 31, a bottom
surface 32, a left side edge 33, a right side edge 34, a front edge
35 and a rear edge 36, and defining a longitudinal axis "L"
extending between the front edge 35 and the rear edge 36.
[0029] The front board portion 40 has a top surface 41, a bottom
surface 42, a left side edge 43, a right side edge 44, a front edge
45 and a rear edge 46.
[0030] The front board portion 40 and the central board portion 30
are connected one to the other in rear edge to front edge relation,
by a front hinge means 60. In the first preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the front hinge means comprises left and right front
pivot hinges 62 each in the form of a butt hinge. The front pivot
hinges 62 each have first and second portions 63,64 held together
by a common pin member 66 for pivotal movement about a front pivot
axis "F" defined by the common pin member 66 and oriented
substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis "L". The first
portion 63 of each hinge is secured to the front board portion 40
by means of suitable threaded fasteners 67. Similarly, the second
portion 64 of each hinge 62 is secured to the central board portion
30 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 68.
[0031] In the above described manner, the front board portion 40
and the central board portion 30 are connected one to the other for
longitudinal folding movement with respect to each other between a
flat in-use configuration, as can be best seen in FIGS. 1 through
4, and a folded bolt receiving portion storage configuration, as
can be best seen in FIG. 5. The longitudinal folding movement of
the front board portion 40 with respect to the central board
portion 30 comprises relative pivotal movement of the front board
portion 40 and the central board portion 30 about the front pivot
axis "F".
[0032] In the flat in-use configuration, the front board portion 40
and the central board portion 30 are vertically and horizontally
aligned one with the other. In the folded bolt receiving portion
storage configuration, the front board portion 40 and the central
board portion 30 face each other, and in the first preferred
embodiment, as illustrated, the top surface 41 of the front board
portion 40 faces the top surface 31 of the central board portion
30.
[0033] A selectively operable front locking means 70 is mounted on
one of the front board portion 40 and the central board portion 30
for releasably locking the front board portion 40 and the central
board portion 30 in the flat in-use configuration. In the first
preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the front locking means 70
comprises a dead bolt 72 having a manually manipulable handle
portion 73 extending outwardly therefrom. The dead bolt 72 is
slidably mounted within a main housing 74 secured to one of the
front board portion 40 and the central board portion 30. In the
first preferred embodiment, the main housing 74 is secured to the
central board portion 30 by means of suitable threaded fasteners
74a and terminates at the front edge 35 of the central board
portion 30.
[0034] A bolt receiving portion 75 is mounted on the other of the
front board portion 40 and the central board portion 30. In the
first preferred embodiment, the bolt receiving portion 75 of the
front locking means 70 is mounted on the front board portion 40 and
terminates at the rear edge 46 of the front board portion 40. The
bolt receiving portion 75 has a bore hole 76 that receives the dead
bolt 72 therein, to define the lock position of the dead bolt 72.
The main housing 74 has a plurality of recesses 77f, 77r therein
for receiving the manually manipulable handle portion 73 therein,
so as to lock the dead bolt 72 in either a locked postion or an
unlocked position. The bolt receiving portion 75 also includes a
catch portion 78 within the bore hole 76. The dead bolt 72 has a
co-operating notch 79 for receiving the catch portion 78 therein,
to help retain the dead bolt 72 in its locked position.
[0035] In use, when the dead bolt 72 is in its retracted position,
as is best seen in FIG. 6, the locking mechanism 70 is in its
unlocked configuration, thus allowing the skateboard to be folded
to its folded storage configuration, as is best seen in FIG. 5. To
lock the skateboard 20 in its flat in-use configuration, the dead
bolt 72 is rotated such that the manually manipulable handle
portion 73 is removed from the rear recess 77r, and is then slid
forwardly to the partially position as shown in FIG. 7,
corresponding to the partially locked configuration of the locking
mechanism 70. The dead bolt 72 is rotated such that the manually
manipulable handle portion 73 then enters the front recess 77f,
such that the locking mechanism in its fully locked configuration,
an the skateboard is ready for use.
[0036] A front wheel carriage 80 having wheels 82 is mounted on one
of the front board portion 40 and the central board portion 30, and
in the first preferred embodiment, is mounted on the front board
portion 40 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 84.
[0037] The rear board portion 50 has a top surface 51, a bottom
surface 52, a left side edge 53, a right side edge 54, a front edge
55 and a rear edge 56.
[0038] The rear board portion 50 and the central board portion 30
are connected one to the other in front edge to rear edge relation,
by a rear hinge means 90. In the first preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the rear hinge means 90 comprises left and right rear
pivot hinges 92 each in the form of a butt hinge. The rear pivot
hinges 92 each have first and second portions 93,94 held together
by a common pin member 96 for pivotal movement about a rear pivot
axis "R" defined by the common pin member 96 and oriented
substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis "L". The first
portion 93 of each hinge 92 is secured to the rear board portion 50
by means of suitable threaded fasteners 97. Similarly, the second
portion 94 of each hinge 93,94 is secured to the central board
portion 30 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 98.
[0039] In the above described manner, the rear board portion 50 and
the central board portion 30 are connected one to the other for
longitudinal folding movement with respect to each other between a
flat in-use configuration, as can be best seen in FIGS. 1 through
4, and a folded storage configuration, as can be best seen in FIG.
5. The longitudinal folding movement of the rear board portion 50
with respect to the central board portion 30 comprises relative
pivotal movement of the rear board portion 50 and the central board
portion 30 about the rear pivot axis "R".
[0040] In the flat in-use configuration, the rear board portion 50
and the central board portion 30 are vertically and horizontally
aligned one with the other. In the folded storage configuration,
the rear board portion 50 and the central board portion 30 face
each other, and in the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated,
the top surface 51 of the rear board portion 50 faces the top
surface 31 of the central board portion 30.
[0041] A selectively operable rear locking means 100 is mounted on
one of the rear board portion 50 and the central board portion 30
for releasably locking the rear board portion 50 and the central
board portion 30 in the flat in-use configuration. In the first
preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the rear locking means 100
comprises a dead bolt 102 having a manually manipulable handle
portion 103 extending outwardly therefrom. The dead bolt 102 is
slidably mounted within a main housing 104 secured to one of the
rear board portion 50 and the central board portion 30. In the
first preferred embodiment, the main housing 104 is secured to the
central board portion 30 by means of suitable threaded fasteners
104a and terminates at the rear edge 36 of the central board
portion 30.
[0042] A bolt receiving portion 105 is mounted on the other of the
rear board portion 50 and the central board portion 30. In the
first preferred embodiment, the bolt receiving portion 105 of the
rear locking means 100 is mounted on the rear board portion 50 and
terminates at the front edge 55 of the rear board portion 50. The
bolt receiving portion 105 has a bore hole 106 that receives the
dead bolt 102 therein, to define the lock position of the dead bolt
102. The main housing 104 has a plurality of recesses 107 therein
for receiving the manually manipulable handle portion 103 therein,
so as to lock the dead bolt 102 in either a locked postion or an
unlocked position. The bolt receiving portion 105 also includes a
catch portion within the bore hole. The dead bolt 102 has a
co-operating notch for receiving the catch portion therein, to help
retain the dead bolt 102 in its locked position.
[0043] A rear wheel carriage 120 having rear wheels 122 is mounted
on one of the rear board portion 50 and the central board portion
30, and in the first preferred embodiment, is mounted on the rear
board portion 50 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 124.
[0044] There is also a braking means 130 mounted on the compact
foldable skateboard 20. The braking means 130 has a pivot axle 132
pivotally mounted on the rear board portion 50 by means of a pair
of mounting brackets 134 secured to the rear board portion 50 by
suitable threaded fasteners 136. An actuation arm means 140 extend
outwardly from the pivot axle so as to be readily accessible to a
rider. In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the
actuation arm means 140 comprises a pair of proximal arm members
142 secured to the pivot axle 132 and terminating in a cross member
144 disposed immediately below the rear board portion 50. A pair of
arm members 146 extend upwardly from the cross member 144 through
co-operating apertures 148 in the rear board portion 50, to
terminate in a foot operable peddle portion 150 disposed a short
distance above the rear board portion 50. There is at least one
brake pad 152 operatively mounted on the pivot axle for frictional
engagement with the rear wheels 122. In the first preferred
embodiment, as illustrated, there are left and right brake pads 152
mounted on the pivot axle 132 for frictional engagement with the
left and right rear wheels 122, respectively, when a rider presses
downwardly on the foot operable peddle 152.
[0045] Reference will now be made to FIG. 9, which shows a second
preferred embodiment of the compact foldable skateboard of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220.
The second preferred embodiment compact foldable skateboard 220 is
similar to the first preferred embodiment compact foldable
skateboard 20, except that the second preferred embodiment compact
foldable skateboard 220 comprises a front board portion 240, and a
rear board portion 250, each made from layers of wood laminated
together, or any other suitable material, as discussed earlier with
reference to the first preferred embodiment.
[0046] The front board portion 240 has a top surface 241, a bottom
surface 242, a left side edge 243, a right side edge 244, a front
edge 245 and a rear edge 246. A front wheel carriage 280 is mounted
on the front board portion 240.
[0047] The rear board portion 250 has a top surface 251, a bottom
surface 252, a left side edge 253, a right side edge 254, a front
edge 255 and a rear edge 256. A rear wheel carriage 290 is mounted
on the rear board portion.
[0048] The front board portion 240 and the rear board portion 250
are connected one to the other in rear edge to front edge relation,
by a hinge means 260. In the second preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the hinge means 260 comprises a pivot hinge 262 in the
form of a butt hinge. The pivot hinge 262 has first and second
portions 263,264 held together by a common pin member 266 for
pivotal movement about a central pivot axis "C" defined by the
common pin member 266 and oriented substantially transversely to
the longitudinal axis "L". The first portion 263 of the hinge 262
is secured to the front board portion 240 by means of suitable
threaded fasteners 267. Similarly, the second portion 264 of the
hinge 262 is secured to the rear board portion 250 by means of
suitable threaded fasteners 268.
[0049] In the above described manner, the front board portion 240
and the rear board portion 250 are connected one to the other in
rear edge to front edge relation, as aforesaid, for longitudinal
folding movement with respect to each other between a flat in-use
configuration, and a folded storage configuration. The longitudinal
folding movement of the front board portion 240 and the rear board
portion 250 with respect to each other comprises relative pivotal
movement of the front board 240 portion and the rear board portion
250 about the central pivot axis "C".
[0050] In the flat in-use configuration, the front board portion
240 and the rear board portion 250 are vertically and horizontally
aligned one with the other. In the folded storage configuration,
the front board portion 240 and the rear board portion 250 face
each other, with top surface 251 of the front board portion 250
facing the top surface 251 of the rear board portion 250.
[0051] A selectively operable locking means 270 is mounted on one
of the front board portion 240 and the rear board portion 250 for
releasably locking the front board portion 240 and the rear board
portion 250 in the flat in-use configuration. In the second
preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the locking means 270
comprises a dead bolt 272 having a manually manipulable handle
portion 273 extending outwardly therefrom. The dead bolt 272 is
slidably mounted within a main housing 274 secured to one of the
front board portion 240 and the rear board portion 250. In the
second preferred embodiment, the main housing 274 is secured to the
front board portion 240 by means of suitable threaded fasteners
274a and terminates at the rear edge 246 of the front board portion
240. A bolt receiving portion 275 is mounted on the other of the
front board portion 240 and the rear board portion 250. In the
second preferred embodiment, the bolt receiving portion 275 of the
locking means 270 is mounted on the rear board portion 250 and
terminates at the front edge 255 of the rear board portion 250. The
selectively operable locking means 270 is essentially analogous to
the selectively operable locking means 70 in the first preferred
embodiment compact foldable skateboard 20.
[0052] Reference will now be made to FIG. 10, which shows a third
preferred embodiment of the compact foldable skateboard of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320.
The third preferred embodiment compact foldable skateboard 320 is
similar to the first preferred embodiment compact foldable
skateboard 20, except that in the third preferred embodiment
compact foldable skateboard 320, the main housing 374 of the front
locking means 370 is mounted on the central board portion 330 and
terminates beyond the front edge 335 of the central board portion
330, and the main housing 384 of the rear locking means 380 is
mounted on the central board portion 330 and terminates beyond the
rear edge 336 of the central board portion 330. In this manner, the
main housing 374 of the front locking means 370 is directly below
the joint between the front board portion 340 and the central board
portion 330, in weight supporting relation. Similarly, the the main
housing 384 of the rear locking means 380 is directly below the
joint between the rear board portion 350 and the central board
portion 330, in weight supporting relation.
[0053] As can be understood from the above description and from the
accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a compact
foldable skateboard, provide a foldable skateboard that can readily
be carried in a backpack, that is compact when folded, and that is
easy to fold between its straight in-use configuration and its
folded carrying configuration, all of which features are unknown in
the prior art.
[0054] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to
those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such
variations are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used
in the design and manufacture of the compact foldable skateboard of
the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope
of the accompanying claims.
* * * * *