GB2349574A

GB2349574A - Powered skateboard

Info

Publication number: GB2349574A
Application number: GB9910001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard James Gordon Conway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-04
Filing date: 1999-05-04
Publication date: 2000-11-08
Also published as: GB9910001D0

Abstract

A skateboard comprises a platform on which is mounted a steerable front axle carrying two wheels which are larger than conventional skateboard wheels and a single rear wheel of greater diameter than the front wheels. The rear wheel comprises a gear or sprocket through which driving force can be applied.

Description

PowerSkate This invention relates to a Three Wheeled Skateboard It is normal for a Skateboard to have a platform base to stand on, this base has fitted two pairs of wheels, normally one pair is fitted towards one end of the platform and the other pair is fitted towards the other end. So we end up with a roughly rectangular base with a wheel in each corner. Each pair of wheels is on the same axis joined by an axle, this axle is fixed to the platform via a pivot. The pivot is at an angle to the axle of about 20 degrees, with the angle on each pivot opposing each other on an axis along the platform length. This angle forces the axles to twist as the platform is angled from side to side, as the angle of the pivots are opposed the axles twist in opposite directions, this provides the method of steering. The skateboard also has very small wheels, normally about 5cm in diameter, and is usually powered by scooting it along like a child's scooter. Due to the small wheel size a skateboard is unsuitable on a rough surface, and is not normally fitted with brakes.

According to the present invention, there is a platform to stand on as in a skateboard, Towards the front of the platform is an axle, which has a wheel fitted at each end of it, the wheels fitted to this axle are about 15cm in diameter. The axle is joined at its middle point to the platform by an angled pivot, similar to that used on most standard skateboards, with either rubber or springs fixed between the platform and axle, to keep the wheels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform when left at rest. This practice is commonly used on skateboards. the platform can have all the ancillary parts fitted directly to it or the platform could be fixed to a frame which would then have the ancillary parts fitted to it, typically this frame would be square or round metal tube.

At the rear the platform supports a single large wheel. This wheel is about 50cm in diameter, and can be a small bicycle wheel, which is fitted with a method to drive it such as gears or sprockets, this wheel is positioned on or near to the centre line of the platform and is held by two slotted forks and nuts on the wheel axle, as on a bicycle, this allows the wheel to be moved backwards or forwards to adjust the tension of any chain or belt fitted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of the example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the PowerSkate, 1 is one of the front steering wheels. 2 is the single rear driven wheel. 3 is the platform. 4 is the optional frame.

5 is the brake lever.

Figure 2 shows a plan view but without the breaking system. 1 shows the two front steering wheels. 3 is the platform to stand on. 4 is the optional frame.

Figure 3 is a part side view showing, 7 the rear wheel drive sprocket. 6 the rear bicycle cantilever brakes. 8 the rear slotted fork to allow chain or belt adjustment of the rear wheel. The brake is shown operated by a lever 5 but it could be cable operated.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view showing, 1 one of the smaller front wheels. 9 the angled pivot shaft which connects the front axle to, 4 the optional frame.

Due to the much larger wheels than a traditional skateboard PowerSkate is able to cope much better with uneven surfaces. The large single rear wheel (2) is also much easier to propel than the two small wheels of a conventional skateboard, and the sprockets or gears (7) fitted, would allow it to be driven by mechanical means either manually propelled, or fitted with an electric motor, or various types of engine. As there is a single bicycle type wheel at the back, a brake (6) can be fitted, or a bicycle type three speed hub or gears can be fitted.

Claims

Claims 1. A skateboard consisting of a platform of roughly rectangular proportions to stand on which has two wheels fixed on a pivoting axle at the front and a larger single wheel fitted approximately central to the centre line of the platform at the rear.
2. A skateboard as claimed in claim 1 where the pivot for the front axles is angled from the vertical so that when the platform is tilted from side to side the front axle steer's left or right
3. A skateboard as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 whereby the front axle is also joined to the platform or frame by either rubber mounts or springs fixed either side of the pivot to centralise the axle and keep the platform level when the skateboard is at rest.
4. A skateboard as in previous claims where a sprocket or gear is fitted to the rear single wheel to allow a method to drive the wheel.
5. A skateboard as in the previous claims where the single rear wheel is mounted with a method of a lateral movement to allow adjustment of a drive chain or belt.
6. A skateboard as in all previous claims where the platform has provision for the fitting of a brake to the rear wheel.