U.S. patent application number 13/449090 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for interchangeable bushing seat inserts for skateboard truck.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul David Kuyt. Invention is credited to Paul David Kuyt.
Application Number | 20130270781 13/449090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49324389 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130270781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuyt; Paul David |
October 17, 2013 |
Interchangeable Bushing Seat Inserts For Skateboard Truck
Abstract
This invention discloses a set of interchangeable bushing seat
inserts which can be removably attached to the bushing seat on a
hanger in any skateboard type truck to allow for different set ups
and create different feelings. By having different bushing seat
insert options, the rider can "tune" or adjust the feel and
handling of the truck for different riding styles or courses. The
interchangeable inserts may be of different geometry/shape and size
and once inserted into the bushing seat area, it forms a new base
and side for the bushing seat area, thus affecting the base and
side of the bushing seat area. The possibilities for geometric
changes to the inserts are almost limitless. This invention is also
directed to a modified skateboard truck with an enlarged bushing
seat which allows for the insertion (by any practical means) of
specifically shaped inserts which surround the bushing.
Inventors: |
Kuyt; Paul David; (Muskegon,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kuyt; Paul David |
Muskegon |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49324389 |
Appl. No.: |
13/449090 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.28 ;
280/11.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/012 20130101;
A63C 17/017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/11.28 ;
280/11.27 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/00 20060101
A63C017/00 |
Claims
1. A set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts comprising: at
least one interchangeable bushing seat insert which has a hole in
the center for receiving an elastomeric bushing and can be
removably attached to a bushing seat on a hanger in any type of
skateboard truck, allowing riders to have more setup options.
2. The set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts of claim 1,
wherein the inserts have exterior threads to match with the bushing
seat's interior threads.
3. The set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts of claim 1,
wherein the insert is fastened to the bushing seat by mechanical
fastening means including screws or bolts.
4. The set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts of claim 1,
wherein the insert can be snap/press fitted into the bushing
seat.
5. The set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts of claim 1,
wherein the insert is made of material selected from the group
consisting of metal, plastic, urethane and rubber.
6. The set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts of claim 1,
wherein the insert has different shapes.
7. A skateboard truck, comprising: a kingpin with threads; a nut
with threads matching the threads on the kingpin for engaging to
the kingpin; at least one elastomeric bushing having a hole through
the center for the kingpin to fit in; at least one interchangeable
removable bushing seat insert having a hole through the center
sufficiently large for receiving the elastomeric bushing; a base
plate including the plate itself, a pivot cup, and a hole for the
kingpin to pass; a hanger being a metal Tee shaped component having
the wheel axles extending to lateral sides, a pivot point extending
perpendicularly from the center of the wheel axles, a bushing seat
in the center on both top and bottom side of the hanger allowing
insertion of the bushing seat insert, and a hole through the center
of the bushing seat allowing the kingpin to extend through; wherein
the holes in the base plate, hanger, bushing seat insert and the
elastomeric bushings align to form a channel allowing the kingpin
to pass through so that the hanger and base plate can be connected
and secured by the kingpin and nut and still allow the hanger to
rotate relative to the base plate with more setup options.
8. The hanger in a skateboard type truck of claim 7, wherein the
bushing seat has interior threads and the insert has exterior
threads to match and engage the interior threads in bushing
seat.
9. The hanger in a skateboard type truck of claim 7, wherein the
insert is fastened to the bushing seat by mechanical fastening
means including screws or bolts.
10. The hanger in a skateboard type truck of claim 7, wherein the
insert can be snap/press fitted into the bushing seat.
11. The hanger in a skateboard type truck of claim 7, wherein the
inserts is made of material selected from the group consisting of
metal, plastic, urethane and rubber.
12. The hanger in a skateboard type truck of claim 7, wherein the
insert has different shapes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a skateboard truck, and
more particularly to interchangeable bushing seat inserts for
skateboard truck and a skateboard truck incorporating said
interchangeable bushing seat inserts.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A typical skateboard is made of a few basic parts including
a deck which is a riding surface for a rider to ride on, a pair of
skateboard trucks which supports the deck and rider, and four
wheels with some sort of ball bearing arrangement upon which the
trucks, deck, and rider are transported. The trucks are very
important as they are the metal turning mechanism that attach the
wheels to the deck.
[0005] A skateboard truck comprises a few primary components,
mainly a base plate, a hanger, bushings, and a kingpin and nut. The
base plate mounts the truck to the skateboard deck and holds the
kingpin (a bolt or other threaded fastener). The base plate also
has a pivot cup which accepts the pivot point of the hanger. The
hanger is a metal Tee shaped component which has the wheel axles
extending to the sides, a pivot point extending perpendicular to
the axles around which the hanger rotates relative to the base
plate, and bushing seats where the bushings nestle in and a kingpin
hole in the center. The kingpin extends through the hole in the
base plate and the kingpin hole in the hanger and mounts securely
in the base plate. In order for the hanger to rotate relative to
the base plate there are typically two cylindrical elastomeric
bushings with a hole through the center employed in the system. The
first bushing is placed over the king pin and is trapped between
the kingpin head and the hanger bushing seat. The second is
installed in the bushing seat on the other side of the hanger and
is retained on the kingpin by a nut and washer.
[0006] Typical bushings come in different shapes and hardness. They
are usually made of polyurethane material and are perhaps the
easiest things to change on a truck in order to change the feel of
how the skateboard turns. For example, a harder bushing will be
much harder to turn on than a softer bushing; a bushing of a larger
shape will be much harder to turn on than a narrow shaped one.
Adjusting the kingpin nut to tighten or loosen the bushings can
adjust the turning radius and response of the truck itself. Tighter
bushings mean stable but stiffer trucks, less easy to turn the
skateboard; while loose bushings make for easier turning but less
stability.
[0007] Another aspect that has an influence on bushing performance
is the bushing seat on the truck. The bushing seat is the area on
the hanger where the bushing makes contact. This area often has a
rim to cup the edge of the bushing, restricting the movement of the
bushing as the bushing deforms through a turn. Some trucks have
very loose, whereas others have very restrictive bushing seats,
greatly reducing bushing deformation. More restrictive bushing
seats are generally found on trucks designed with faster riding in
mind as they offer more stability and lean.
[0008] Nevertheless, standard trucks have permanently cast in or
machined in bushing seats, limiting the riders ability to tune or
adjust the riding characteristics of their trucks. Currently, there
is no way to adjust the bushing seats.
[0009] Therefore, it is desirable to implement an interchangeable
bushing seat insert (placed between the bushing seat and the
bushing) with varying shapes and durometer that will influence the
stability and maneuvering of the truck and feel of how it turns to
allow the rider to get more setup options that were never available
previously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide
interchangeable removable bushing seat inserts of different shapes,
made of different materials so that the rider can make changes of
bushing seats in order to get more setup options that were never
available previously. Another object of the present invention is to
provide a skateboard truck that incorporates said interchangeable
bushing seat inserts.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there
is disclosed a set of interchangeable bushing seat inserts which
can be removably attached to the bushing seat area on a hanger in
any types of skateboard truck to allow for different setups to
create different feelings.
[0012] Each interchangeable bushing seat insert has a fastening
means to allow it to be removably attached to the bushing seat.
Some may have exterior threads to engage the interior threads in
the bushing seat of the hanger. Some may have mechanical fasteners
such as bolts or screws. Some may be simply pressed to fit into the
bushing seat.
[0013] Both the top (board side) and bottom (road side) bushing
seats can be changed independently with replaceable inserts of
different shapes and perhaps different materials, i.e. metal,
plastic, rubber, etc. Once the interchangeable inserts with
different geometry (for size and shape) and materials are inserted
into the bushing seats area, they form new base and sides of the
bushing seat area. By having different bushing seat insert options,
the rider can "tune" or adjust the feel and handling of the truck
for different riding styles or courses.
[0014] The more important features of the invention have thus been
outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows
may be better understood and in order that the present contribution
to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the
invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject
matter of the claims that follow.
[0015] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0017] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred
feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art
may better understand the detailed description of the invention
that follows. Additional features of the invention will be
described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the
invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can
readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a
basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out
the same purposes of the present invention and that such other
structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention
in its broadest form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying
drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference
numerals.
[0019] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an interchangeable bushing
seat insert according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a elastomeric bushing;
[0021] FIG. 1C is a king pin;
[0022] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a bushing seat on a
hanger;
[0023] FIG. 2A is an exploded view showing a hanger and an
interchangeable bushing seat insert separate apart;
[0024] FIG. 2B shows the interchangeable bushing seat insert is
placed over the bushing seat on the hanger; and
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the primary components of a skateboard truck
which includes the interchangeable bushing seat inserts of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The invention is directed toward interchangeable bushing
seat inserts and a skateboard truck with interchangeable bushing
seat inserts. Referring to FIG. 1A, there is disclosed an
interchangeable bushing seat insert 10 according to one embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the bushing insert 10 has a
cylindrical shape with an exterior diameter d2 and a hole in the
center with an interior diameter d3 for receiving a bushing 20.
FIG. 1 B shows a traditional (regular) bushing which has a
cylindrical shape with an exterior diameter d4 and a hole with an
interior diameter d5 for receiving a kingpin 30. FIG. 1C shows a
kingpin 30 with a diameter d7. The bushing seat 40 shown in FIG. 1D
is circle shaped with a diameter d1 for receiving a bushing seat
insert and has a hole with a diameter d6 in the center for
receiving kingpin 30. The sizes of the bushing seat 40, bushing
seat insert 10, bushing 20, and kingpin 30 are in the order of
d7<d6 =d5<d4<d3<d2<d1. The bushing seat insert 10 is
placed between the hanger bushing seat 40 and bushing 20.
[0027] The interchangeable insert 10 may be made of a solid or semi
ridged material, such as metal, urethane, rubber, plastic etc. and
of various shapes to allow for different "set-ups". The inserts 10
could be on both or either side of the hanger 70 or even possibly
all the way through the hanger 70. They could be one or more pieces
or segments. They may be placed into the bushing seat 40 on the
hanger 70 by any practical fastening means. In one embodiment the
bushing seat 40 has threads on its interior wall and the
interchangeable insert 10 has matching threads on its exterior wall
to engage the bushing seat 40. The interchangeable insert 10 may be
threaded into the bushing seat 40 on the hanger to be secured in
place. In another embodiment, the interchangeable insert 10 may be
simply snapped fitted to the bushing seat 40 or attached to the
bushing seat 40 by mechanical fastening means such as screws and
bolts. Any other possible fastening means may be used to secure the
interchangeable inserts 10 in place. FIG. 2 A shows the exploded
view with the bushing insert 10 and hanger 70 separated and FIG. 2
B shows the bushing insert 10 inserted into the bushing seat 40 on
the hanger 70.
[0028] The device 10 according to the present invention can be used
on any type of skateboard, long board, luge or scooter type device
which employs a truck with a bushing and kingpin configuration.
[0029] The present invention is also directed to a modified
skateboard truck with an enlarged bushing seat which allows for the
insertion (by any practical means, i.e. threaded, bolted, press fit
etc.) of specifically shaped inserts which surround the
bushing.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the components of the skateboard truck
and how they fit together. Skateboard trucks 50 have several basic
components, including a base plate 60 and a truck hanger 70. The
base plate 60 is physically attached to the bottom of the
skateboard deck. It includes the plate itself, a pivot cup 61, and
a hole 62 for kingpin 30 to pass. The truck hanger 70 is a metal
Tee shaped component which has the wheel axles 71 extending to
lateral sides, a pivot point 72 extending perpendicularly from the
center of the wheel axles, a bushing seat 40 in the center on each
side (board side or road side) of the hanger 70 which allows the
bushings 20 to nestle in, and a hole 73 in the center of the
bushing seat 40 through which the kingpin 30 fits. When the pivot
point 61 fits snugly into the pivot cup 72, the holes 73 and 62 in
the hanger and base plate and the two elastomeric bushings 20 align
to form a channel allowing a kingpin 30 to pass through so that the
hanger 70 and base plate 60 can be connected and secured by the
kingpin 30 and a washer 32 and nut 33 and still allow the hanger 70
to rotate relative to the base plate 60. In order for the rider to
be able to have more set up options, one or two bushing inserts 10
with a hole through the center are placed inside the bushing seat
40 on either side or both sides of the hanger 70 for receiving the
one and/or two elastomeric bushings 20.
[0031] The method of or arrangement of above components and
mounting them will be well known to those with ordinary skill in
the mechanical arts.
[0032] While there have been shown and described and pointed out
the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is
considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention
and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed
were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the
principles of the invention and its practical application to enable
one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth
to which they are entitled.
* * * * *