Skateboard type vehicle

Details Skateboard type vehicle Skateboard type vehicle

1995-10-16

1998-10-13

Johnson, Brian L

Motor vehicles

Ski- or skate-type vehicle for imparting movement to a...

With power means or a portion thereof affixed to or built...

180185, 180190, 280 87042, 280126, 280714, 280102, A63C 508

Patent

active

058198652

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a light transport vehicle which is directly steerable by a person or persons standing on a platform forming part of the vehicle.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Skateboards have been in common use since the 1970s. The commonly used construction of a skateboard involves the use of an elongated, flexible platform. A leading set and a trailing set of wheels or rollers are suspended below the platform. Each suspension point uses a laterally disposed carriage for the set of wheels or rollers, the suspension being attached to the underside of the platform The carriage is so constructed that each component of the set of wheels or rollers is separated to a substantial degree. The carriage is usually referred to as a "truck".
A conventional skateboard is steered by standing on one side or the other of the flexible platform which flexes to one side or the other. This flexion produces tension on the connectors attaching the trucks to the flexible platform causing the sets of wheels or rollers to turn and hence the skateboard as a whole to turn.
An object of the present invention is to provide a light transport vehicle which uses certain of the operating principles of skateboards and applies them to a more heavy duty transport vehicle.
It is a further object to provide such a light transport vehicle which may be motorised.
It is yet a further object to provide such a light transport vehicle which can travel over a considerable variety of terrains.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention, therefore, provides a light transport vehicle which is directly steerable by a person or persons standing on the vehicle, which vehicle comprises: the underside of the platform; carriages; and opposing ends of the two-part carriages, suspension means.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the rear right of a light transport vehicle according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view from the front right of the vehicle of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view from the top of a portion of the suspension and support structures forming part of the vehicle;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4--4 shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 except that the leading wheel shown in FIG. 4 is replaced by a small ski means, and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 with the addition of an extra set of wheels and traction belts.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The elongated, flexible platform is preferably a relatively long narrow structure. It is preferably constructed from a laminated material such as plywood or a composite material containing carbon or glass fibres.
It is preferred to use a set of wheels, preferably relatively squat pneumatic wheels such as those used for competition vehicles such as go-karts.
It is possible to replace each member of the leading set of wheels by short ski means. In addition it is possible to assist the grip of the vehicle on the trailing surface by providing a third set of wheels to the rear of the vehicle and, if desired, coupling corresponding wheels of this third set to the trailing set using traction belts which travel over the surface of the travelling surface. This modification is suitable for snow surfaces, for example.
The struts are so constructed from suitable material and are of suitable dimensions so as to be rigid but relatively light. Suitable materials are steel or carbon fibre-based composites. The struts may be attached via flexible attachment means.
Each two-part carriage may comprise two suspension means which are joined together at one or more regions. Alternatively the two suspension means are integral with the remainder of the twopart carriage.
Preferably each suspension means in a two-part carriage is attached to the underside of the platform and each suspension means is joined to the other suspension means by bracket means.
Preferably the vehicle is driven by a small motor coupled to

REFERENCES:
patent: 1215528 (1917-02-01), Hebbeler
patent: 3290058 (1966-12-01), Ellerd
patent: 4073356 (1978-02-01), Schlict
patent: 4098519 (1978-07-01), Reid, Jr.
patent: 4143728 (1979-03-01), Shiber
patent: 4151892 (1979-05-01), Francken
patent: 4230330 (1980-10-01), Muhammad
patent: 4307788 (1981-12-01), Shelton
patent: 4645223 (1987-02-01), Grossman
patent: 4896893 (1990-01-01), Shumays et al.
patent: 5020621 (1991-06-01), Martin
patent: 5114166 (1992-05-01), McCosker

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Skateboard type vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Skateboard type vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Skateboard type vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-304160