US20140332297A1

US20140332297A1 - Motorized skateboard and method of use

Info

Publication number: US20140332297A1
Application number: US14/271,455
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry Palacio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-07
Filing date: 2014-05-07
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

A motorized skateboard with a single pedal foot controller. The motorized skateboard employs mechanical brakes instead of using electric or motor braking The brake is activated by a spring raising the single front pedal, which is ultimately attached to the braking mechanism. The invention features a recoverable opening situated on the skateboard foot deck for easy access to the battery. This foot-controlled motorized skateboard also utilizes a freewheel mechanism.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/820,329 filed on May 7, 2013 by the present inventor.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention relates to platform-based, portable and motorized transportation and recreation devices that utilize skate or turning trucks like skateboards, longboards, carveboards, mountainboards, etc. These boards' trucks can be equipped with plastic or rubber bushings; or springs to maneuver and turn them. These devices have been motorized mainly by a gas engine or an electric motor. Different controls and human interface for these devices have also been put forth and created.
2. Background of Related Art
Most motorized boards are controlled by the rider's hand via a remote control interface. While some use wireless remote controls, others use wired remote controls. Foregoing the remote-control and instead utilizing the rider's feet for controlling the motorized skateboard would be a more familiar and engaging experience. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,441 A issued to Endo, Sasaki and Tokinaga describes “A power playing instrument is provided in which a plurality of wheels and a driving wheel propelled by a geared motor are mounted to the bottom surface of a board on which a foot or both feet of the player are placed and in action, the geared motor for the driving wheel is switched on and off by a remote or radio control or by sensing a pressure exerted on to the board.” U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,357 issued to Staelin and Lang describes a “weight-sensing” motorized skateboard with two foot sensors. A commercially available version of this is called the ZBOARD.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/888,826 describes a motorized skateboard with a drive assembly that is freewheeling permitting normal use of the skateboard in the event of battery depletion, but it is also remotely controlled by the rider's hand and not the foot.
All of the aforementioned foot-controlled motorized skateboards stop by motor-braking, which is not as efficient and less reliable as compared to mechanical braking They also use non-removable battery packs. Moreover, because of the need to be constantly engaged to the motor for braking purpose, these foot-controlled motorized skateboards do not have a freewheel mechanism. The inclusion of a freewheel mechanism will increase battery life and free-up the motor for the braking duty, thus further extending its use and reliability. Lastly, these foot-controlled electric skateboards without freewheel cannot be efficiently used with the power off, or by manual-pushing, as there is considerable drag from the motor due to its fixed connection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A motorized skateboard with a single pedal foot controller is presented. The motorized skateboard employs mechanical brakes instead of using electric or motor braking The brake is activated by a spring raising the single front pedal, which is ultimately attached to the braking mechanism. The acceleration is done by depressing the pedal. The invention features a coverable opening situated on the skateboard foot deck for easy access to the battery. This foot-controlled motorized skateboard also utilizes a freewheel mechanism.
This invention will be an improvement upon the prior arts. It is the object of this invention to provide a novel motorized skateboard and a method of use that will improve safety, add convenience, prolong battery life and reliability, enable the rider to still be able to use the skateboard even when it runs out of power, and enhance the rider's experience by using their foot instead of their hand to control the motorized board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing features and other aspects of the invention are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It should be noted that these drawings are not limiting in nature, but one of many representations and utilizations of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates one of many configurations the invention.

FIG. 2 is a representation of the drive housing and suggested location of the freewheel mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A motorized board, most notably a skateboard, is presented in FIG. 1. A battery box 1 is shown. In the drawing, the motor 2 is located on the back of the skateboard, but it can be positioned and connected to any of the wheels. On the front of the motorized skateboard, a skate truck 3 is illustrated. A type of mechanical braking will now be presented, although other types of mechanical braking can also be implemented. To the side of the skate truck 3 are brake levers 4 and 5 that push the brake pads 6 and 7 onto the wheels when pulled by the brake cable 8. This brake cable 8 is attached to the brake pedal 9 which is constantly lifted by a spring 11, thereby pulling the brake cable 8 constantly. On top of this brake pedal 9 is an acceleration sensor 10.
Aside from stopping the motorized skateboard when the pedal 9 is lifted by the spring 11, it also acts as a “dead-man's” brake. Since this invention utilizes a freewheel mechanism, the ability of the motorized skateboard to halt when the rider falls off or dismount is vital. The basic operation of the motorized skateboard will now be described as follows. The rider steps on the brake pedal 9. This loosens the pull on the brake cable 8 and in turn releases the pull on the brake levers 4 and 5, which ultimately detaches the brake pads 6 and 7 from the wheels. This action will allow the motorized skateboard to be able to move and be used like a non-powered skateboard. If the rider wishes to accelerate the skateboard, putting pressure on the acceleration sensor 10 will facilitate forward motion. The more pressure the rider puts on the acceleration sensor 10, the faster the motorized skateboard will go. As noted, other brake design can be used like disc brakes with calipers, the use of hydraulic fluid instead of brake cable, positioning the brakes on the rear truck, or both front and rear trucks.
Also being depicted on FIG. 1 is a replaceable cover 13 for the battery box 1, and is located on the motorized skateboard foot deck. It can be locked via screw 14. Different iterations of the cover or its locking or latching mechanism can also be employed to securely close the replaceable cover 13. By enabling easy access to the battery box 1, the battery can be removed and replaced with a freshly charged battery pack. The fresh battery pack can be carried by the rider on his or her backpack, thus extending the range of the motorized skateboard. Completing the items on FIG. 1 is the drive housing 12, which protects either a rubber belt or a chain inside.
FIG. 2 is a close-up of the drive housing 12. Inside, a motor pulley or sprocket 21 is attached to the motor shaft with a freewheel clutch or a one-way bearing sandwiched in between them. The freewheeling pulley or sprocket 21 is connected to either a belt or chain 22. In the other end of the belt or chain 22 loop is a another pulley or sprocket 23, which is firmly secured onto the wheel. In another version, a wheel freewheel bearing 24 can be utilized. This freewheel bearing 24 is located in the middle of the wheel and is ultimately attached onto the skate truck's axle 25. The freewheel mechanism is only possible because of the employment of mechanical brakes on the motorized skateboard.

Claims

I claim:

1. A motorized skateboard comprising of:

a platform on which a rider stands on;

a horizontally moving axle;

a plurality of wheels;

a motor coupled to at least one of the wheels

a mechanical braking device that applies friction to at least one of the wheels

a pedal located on the top of the platform, wherein:

a. said pedal is constantly being raised by a spring;

b. said pedal is coupled to aforementioned mechanical brakes by movable linkage.

2. The motorized skateboard according to claim 1, with a freewheel mechanism situated between the connection of the motor and wheel.

3. A motorized skateboard comprising of:

a platform on which a rider stands on;

a horizontally moving axle;

a plurality of wheels;

a motor coupled to at least one of the wheels;

a replaceable surface to cover an opening on the aforementioned platform.