U.S. patent application number 12/607001 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for skateboard sling.
Invention is credited to James Stewart.
Application Number | 20100102098 12/607001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42116512 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100102098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; James |
April 29, 2010 |
SKATEBOARD SLING
Abstract
A sling for carrying skateboards includes an elongated,
relatively wide strap of sturdy, flexible material. The strap is
formed to extend from the back of a person carrying the skateboard,
over one shoulder, across the chest and to the back adjacent the
person's waist. The width of the strap is designed to distribute
the weight of a skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and
back of a person carrying the skateboard. The strap has two loops
affixed thereto, one loop at each end of opposite ends. A first
loop of the two loops is designed to be engaged over one wheel of a
front truck of a skateboard and a second loop of the two loops is
designed to be engaged over one wheel of a rear truck of the
skateboard.
Inventors: |
Stewart; James; (Scottsdale,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT A. PARSONS
4000 N. CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 1220
PHOENIX
AZ
85012
US
|
Family ID: |
42116512 |
Appl. No.: |
12/607001 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61109021 |
Oct 28, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/258 ;
224/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20130101; A63C
2203/44 20130101; A45F 2003/142 20130101; A63C 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/258 ;
224/257 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20060101
A45F003/14 |
Claims
1. A sling for carrying skateboards comprising: an elongated,
relatively wide strap of sturdy, flexible material, the strap being
formed to extend from the back of a person carrying the skateboard,
over one shoulder, across the chest and to the back adjacent the
person's waist, the width of the strap being designed to distribute
the weight of a skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and
back of a person carrying the skateboard; the strap having two
loops affixed thereto, one loop at each end of opposite ends; and a
first loop of the two loops affixed at one end designed to be
engaged over one wheel of a front truck of a skateboard and a
second loop of the two loops affixed at the opposite end designed
to be engaged over one wheel of a rear truck of the skateboard.
2. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the sturdy, flexible material of the strap includes one of leather,
cloth, reinforced paper and plastic.
3. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the strap includes several layers of material affixed together.
4. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 3 wherein
the several layers of material are affixed together by sewing.
5. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 4 wherein
the several layers of material are all formed from the same
material.
6. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 4 wherein
the several layers of material include different materials
sandwiched together to provide one of additional strength, lighter
weight, and less expensive product.
7. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 4 wherein
the several layers of material include multiple inner layers and an
outer layer, the outer layer being folded over the edges of the
inner layers and held together by sewing.
8. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 7 wherein
an outer layer of the multiple inner layers includes one of a
colorful or patterned cloth.
9. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the two loops are formed integral with the strap.
10. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 9 wherein
each of the ends of the strap are folded longitudinally back and
affixed to the main body to form the two loops integrally.
11. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 9 wherein
each of the ends of the strap include a necked-down portion folded
longitudinally back on itself and attached to the main body to form
the two integral loops.
12. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the strap is separated in the middle to form two intermediate ends,
and each of the intermediate ends has a different part of a
two-part quick-fastener attached thereto.
13. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 12 wherein
the two-part quick-fastener includes one of a releasable clasp, a
simple buckle, a hook-and-eye, and a metal loop and Velcro.
14. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 12 wherein
at least one of the two intermediate ends of the separated strap
and the two-part quick-fastener include adjustable means for
altering the length of the strap.
15. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the strap includes a flexible resilient central strap portion with
a fixed loop attached to each end thereof.
16. A sling for carrying skateboards comprising: an elongated,
relatively wide strap of sturdy, flexible material, the strap being
formed to extend from the back of a person carrying the skateboard,
over one shoulder, across the chest and to the back adjacent the
person's waist, the width of the strap being designed to distribute
the weight of a skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and
back of a person carrying the skateboard; the elongated strap
having each end folded longitudinally back on itself and affixed to
the main body to form two integral loops, one loop at each end of
opposite ends; and a first loop of the integral loops affixed at
one end designed to be engaged over one wheel of a front truck of a
skateboard and a second loop of the integral loops affixed at the
opposite end designed to be engaged over one wheel of a rear truck
of the skateboard.
17. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 16 wherein
the strap is separated in the middle to form two intermediate ends,
and each of the intermediate ends has a different part of a
two-part quick-fastener attached thereto.
18. A sling for carrying skateboards comprising: an elongated strap
formed to extend from the back of a person carrying the skateboard,
over one shoulder, across the chest and to the back adjacent the
person's waist, the width of the strap being designed to distribute
the weight of a skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and
back of a person carrying the skateboard, and the strap including
multiple layers of material including at least one inner layer and
an outer layer with the outer layer folded over the edges of the at
least one inner layer and held together by sewing; the elongated
strap having each terminal end folded longitudinally back on itself
and affixed to the main body to form two integral loops, one loop
at each end of opposite ends; the strap being separated in the
middle to form two intermediate ends, and each of the intermediate
ends having a different part of a two-part quick-fastener attached
thereto, and at least one of the two intermediate ends of the
separated strap and the two-part quick-fastener including
adjustable means for altering the length of the strap and a first
loop of the integral loops affixed at one end designed to be
engaged over one wheel of a front truck of a skateboard and a
second loop of the integral loops affixed at the opposite end
designed to be engaged over one wheel of a rear truck of the
skateboard.
19. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 18 wherein
the at least one inner layer includes a plurality of inner layers
and an outer layer of the multiple inner layers includes one of a
colorful or patterned cloth.
20. A sling for carrying skateboards as claimed in claim 18 wherein
the multiple layers of material include different materials
sandwiched together to provide one of additional strength, lighter
weight, and less expensive product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/109,021 filed 28 Oct. 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to a sling for carrying
skateboards and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Skateboards are very popular at the present time and in many
areas special features have been constructed to better apply and
perfect skateboard talents. In most instances skateboards must be
carried to the area at which they are to be used. However,
skateboards can be very cumbersome and unwieldy to carry for any
distance.
[0004] In the prior art, attempts have been made to provide
carrying straps which will make the task less arduous. However, in
most instances these carrying straps are very complicated to use
and relatively expensive to manufacture. An example of a prior art
type of skateboard carrying strap is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
6,536,639. This type of carrying strap is expensive and difficult
to manufacture, expensive to purchase and complicated to use.
[0005] It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved skateboard sling.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved skateboard sling that is convenient to attach and use.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved skateboard sling that is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture and to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of
the instant invention a sling for carrying skateboards is provided.
The sling includes an elongated, relatively wide strap of sturdy,
flexible material. The strap is formed to extend from the back of a
person carrying the skateboard, over one shoulder, across the chest
and to the back adjacent the person's waist. The width of the strap
is designed to distribute the weight of a skateboard over a larger
portion of the chest and back of a person carrying the skateboard.
The strap has two loops affixed thereto, one loop at each end of
opposite ends. A first loop of the two loops is designed to be
engaged over one wheel of a front truck of a skateboard and a
second loop of the two loops is designed to be engaged over one
wheel of a rear truck of the skateboard.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention a sling for carrying
skateboards includes an elongated strap formed to extend from the
back of a person carrying the skateboard, over one shoulder, across
the chest and to the back adjacent the person's waist, with the
width of the strap being designed to distribute the weight of a
skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and back of a person
carrying the skateboard. The strap includes multiple layers of
material including at least one inner layer and an outer layer with
the outer layer folded over the edges of the at least one inner
layer and held together by sewing. The elongated strap has each end
folded longitudinally back on itself and affixed to the main body
to form two integral loops, one loop at each end of opposite ends.
A first loop of the integral loops is designed to be engaged over
one wheel of a front truck of a skateboard and a second loop of the
integral loops is designed to be engaged over one wheel of a rear
truck of the skateboard. The strap is separated in the middle to
form two intermediate ends with each of the intermediate ends
having a different part of a two-part quick-fastener attached
thereto. Also, at least one of the two intermediate ends of the
separated strap and the two-part quick-fastener includes adjustable
means for altering the length of the strap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof
taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skateboard sling in
accordance with the present invention, illustrating in enlarged
detail a portion of the construction;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the skateboard sling of FIG. 1
as seen from the line 2-2;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the skateboard sling of
FIG. 1 in use on an individual;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view in perspective of the skateboard
sling of FIG. 1 attached to a skateboard;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the skateboard sling
of FIG. 1 attached to the skateboard, illustrating the attachment
of the skateboard sling to one end of the skateboard;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view of the skateboard sling in a typical
carrying mode, illustrating before and after orientations; and
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates four different possible embodiments of
the skateboard sling in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Turning now to the drawings, attention is first directed to
FIG. 1 which illustrates a skateboard sling 10 in accordance with
the present invention. Skateboard sling 10 includes an elongated
strap 12 having integral loops 14 and 16 at opposite ends thereof.
Strap 12 is preferably made relatively wide to distribute the
weight of the skateboard over a larger portion of the chest and
back. Also, strap 12 is made from a relatively sturdy flexible
material, such as nylon, rip stop nylon, some forms of plastic such
as Tyvek, reinforced paper or the like. For inexpensive materials,
a give-away or promotional device can be made with advertising and
the like prominently displayed on the surface thereof.
[0020] As can be seen from the sectional view in FIG. 2 several
layers of material may be sewn together to provide the desired
amount of strength. Further, all of the layers may be formed from
the same material or different materials may be sandwiched
therebetween to provide some desired characteristic, such as
additional strength, lighter weight, less expensive product, etc.
Referring specifically to FIG. 2 it can be seen that strap 12
includes two inner layers 20 and 22 and an outer layer 24 that is
folded over the edges with the entire assembly held together by
some means, such as sewing along lines 26 and 28 adjacent opposite
edges.
[0021] Thus, it can be seen that a wide variety of possible
assemblies can be devised. For example, layer 22 could be
relatively heavy leather or flexible plastic with layers 20 and 24
being formed from a colorful or desirably patterned cloth.
Alternatively, layers 20 and 24 could be formed from a light
leather or flexible plastic while layer 22 is formed of a light but
strong material such as woven cloth. It will of course be
understood that more or less layers can be added or subtracted to
provide other or additional desirable characteristics.
[0022] The width of strap 12, adjacent each of the ends, is
necked-down slightly to reduce the weight and total mass of sling
10. The necked-down portion is then folded over or longitudinally
back on itself and attached to the main body to form integral loops
14 and 16. The end of strap 12 folded over to form loop 14 is
attached to the main body of strap 12 at area 30 by some convenient
means, such as sewing, riveting, etc. Also, the end of strap 12
folded over to form loop 16 is attached to the main body of strap
12 at area 32 by some convenient means, such as sewing, riveting,
etc.
[0023] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, skateboard sling 10 is
illustrated attached to a skateboard 35 and carried over a shoulder
of an individual. As understood by those familiar in the art,
skateboard 35 includes a rigid body (board 34) to which a front
two-wheeled truck 36 and a rear two-wheeled truck 38 are attached.
As can be seen more clearly in both FIGS. 4 and 5, loop 14 is
engaged over one wheel of rear truck 38 and loop 16 is engaged over
one wheel of front truck 36. Loops 14 and 16 are easily and
conveniently engaged over a single wheel by simply threading the
wheel through the loop until the loop engages the axle of the
truck. Thus, the loop is held in place by the wheel and cannot slip
off to cause damage or injury. Also, because the portion of strap
12 adjacent each of the ends is necked-down to reduce the width, it
is easier to thread a wheel through the loop and engage the loop
with the axle. While the present embodiment contemplates use as a
sling for carrying a skateboard 10, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that other devices in current use, such as
scooters, Razors.RTM., Ripsticks.RTM., and the like can be carried
in this manner. In these instances, a truck with two wheels may be
replaced with a swivel wheel. Loops 14 and 16 can be attached to
these devices in the same manner to form a sling. Thus loops 14 and
16 are threaded over the wheels at opposing ends of the device and
engage the base of the swivel. In these instances, a rigid body
forms a platform upon which an individual stands. In the present
embodiment, the rigid body is board 34. Wheels are attached at
opposing ends to form the various devices.
[0024] With loop 14 threaded over a wheel and engaged with the axle
of rear truck 38 and loop 16 threaded over a wheel and engaged with
the axle of front truck 36, the length of strap 12 is specifically
designed to be longer than the distance between trucks 36 and 38 so
that a sling is formed. The individual carrying skateboard 35 can
then simply insert an arm and their head into the sling, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, comfortably suspending skateboard 35 across
their back with strap 12 engaged over one shoulder and across the
chest. When not in use, as for example when the individual arrives
at the place that skateboard 35 is to be used, sling 10 can simply
be wadded into a convenient ball, as illustrated in FIG. 6, and
placed in a pocket for temporary storage.
[0025] It will be understood that the skateboard sling of this
invention can be constructed in a variety of embodiments
specifically designed to include different characteristics.
Examples of several different embodiments are illustrated in FIG.
7, a-d.
[0026] The embodiment described above, i.e., skateboard sling 10,
is illustrated in FIG. 7a as one of the embodiments to better show
the relative length, size and characteristics. A second embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 7b, designated 50, includes a strap 52, similar
to strap 12 of sling 10 but separated in the middle to form
intermediate ends 54 and 56. A two-part quick-fastener 60 is
attached to ends 54 and 56 so that in this embodiment the loops
formed at the ends of strap 52 can be engaged over a wheel of front
and rear trucks (substantially as described above). One of the ends
54 or 56 can then be used to hoist the skateboard into position
over the back and the opposite end can be brought around and the
two-parts of quick-fastener 60 can be engaged to complete the sling
and comfortably hold the skateboard on the back. Two-part
quick-fastener 60 can be any convenient fastener such as a simple
buckle, a hook-and-eye, the fastener illustrated, or any other
fastener that can be conveniently fastened while holding the
skateboard in place. At least one of the two intermediate ends of
the separated strap and the two-part quick-fastener include
adjustable means (examples of which are illustrated in FIG. 7, b
and c) for altering the length of the strap.
[0027] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7c, designated 60,
a two-part fastener includes a metal loop 62 attached to one end 62
of the separated strap and a quick-fastening material, such as
Velcro 64, attached to the other end 66 of the separated strap. The
metal loop and Velcro essentially form a two-part quick-fastener as
described above.
[0028] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7d, designated 70,
flexible resilient central strap 72 has a fixed loop 74 of material
attached to one end and a similar fixed loop 76 of material
attached to the other end. Strap 72 has limited resiliency
(stretch) and is formed shorter than, for example, strap 12 of
sling 10, so that it can be stretched to approximately the same
length or slightly longer to accommodate different sized
individuals. Loops 74 and 76 are formed of non-stretch material so
they can be engaged over a wheel of each truck on a skateboard, as
described above. Loops 74 and 76 can be attached to strap 72 by any
convenient method, such as folding the end over and attaching it to
the main body, attaching a metal eye to each end of strap 72 and
forming loops 74 and 76 through the eye, etc. Conversely, flexible
resilient central strap 72 can be replaced with a non-stretching
material, and one or more of loops 74 and 76 can be formed of a
stretchable material.
[0029] Thus, a new and improved skateboard sling has been disclosed
that is convenient to attach and use. Further, the new and improved
skateboard sling is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Because
of the materials used and the novel construction, the sling is
inexpensive and relatively simple to manufacture and is easy and
comfortable to use.
[0030] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
* * * * *