Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
SECURITY LOCKS
This invention relates to security devices, and more particularly to security
locks for use on devices such as skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the
like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Skateboarding, snowboarding and snow skiing are all extremely popular
sports today. It has been reported that skateboarding ranks in sixth place in
popularity in all sports and is one of the fastest growing sports today. One
out of
every ten teenagers owns or rides a skateboard. Skateboarding is increasing
globally both as a competitive sport, and as a mode of transportation for
today's
youth. There are primarily two types or styles of skateboards, namely a short
one
used for high performance such as tricks, competition, and exhibitions, and
longboards used for downhill competitions as well as transportation to school,
the
beach, and neighborhood activities. Today, skateboards often replace bicycles
as the preferred mode of transportation.
Like skateboarding, snowboarding is one of the fastest growing sports
today. One out of every four persons who regularly visits ski resorts owns or
rides
a snowboard. Snowboarding is increasing globally both as a competitive sport
as
well as an alternative to conventional skiing. Snow skiing is still the most
popular
winter time sport in the world today.
These types of equipment are relatively expensive. For example,
skateboards are an expensive investment, particularly for young people,
ranging
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from around $100 to $300 each. Currently, skateboarders have to carry their
boards while walking through a mall, at school or bury it in the sand at the
beach
so as to prevent theft.
As to snowboarding and snow skiing, whether a person uses one or the
other, the need for protecting the equipment in today's increasingly crowded
ski
resorts is a must. As more and more people turn to snowboarding and skiing,
the
risk of theft is a growing concern.
Some people make use of steel cables with locks which can be used to
secure any of these types of equipment to some fixed object such as a secure
pole. Unfortunately, these types of cable-lock devices must be carried by the
person using the sporting equipment; for example, a skateboarder traveling to
the
beach to surf has to physically carry the locking device, which tends to be
bulky.
Ski resorts frequently have racks for skis, but which normally are not
provided with any type of locking system, and such resorts generally have not
yet
addressed some type of rack for snowboards. As more and more people turn to
these sports, the risk of theft is a growing concern.
Therefore, there is a need for a reliable locking device. Some forms of
locking devices have been devised as is evidenced by U.S. Patent No.
4,773,239,
No. 5,179,847, No. 5,177,986, No. 5,706,680. However, these devices either
involve locking devices that must be carried on the person while the sporting
equipment is in use, such as a separable lock device, or they involve
relatively
bulky or complicated devices.
A suitable locking device would allow the skateboard rider protection
against theft. The present locking devices offer the skateboarder the
opportunity
for protection currently only available to bicyclists and motorists.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of
embodiments of the present invention to provide a relatively
simple locking device or system for sports equipment like
skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like.
A further object of embodiments of the present
invention is to provide a locking device for sports
equipment, such as skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and
the like which does not require the person to carry a lock,
cable or other separate locking device.
A further object of embodiments of the present
invention is to provide an improved security device for
sports equipment.
In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a locking apparatus for a
skateboard having a pair of wheel trucks mountable to a
board member, comprising: a bracket member comprising a
substantially flat base plate mountable between a first of
the pair of wheel trucks and the board member, and an open
barrel extending from one side of the base plate, the base
plate having a thickness substantially smaller than a cross-
section of the open barrel; a lock assembly receivable
through the open barrel and engageable with another portion
of the bracket member when mounted to a skateboard; and a
spacer plate mountable between a second of the pair of wheel
trucks and the board member to provide an equal spacing
between the wheel trucks and board member as the base plate
of the bracket member.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a locking apparatus for a
skateboard having a pair of wheel trucks mountable to a
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board member, comprising: a cable having first and second
ends; a substantially flat base plate mountable between a
first of the pair of wheel trucks and the board member, the
base plate comprising a mount to which the first end of the
cable is secured, and a bracket to which the second end of
the cable may be connected; an elongate cable retainer
member mountable to the board member adjacent the first of
the pair of wheel trucks, the cable retainer member
comprising a stationary flange for storing at least a
portion of the cable between the flange and the board
member; and a skid plate mountable on the board member
adjacent the cable retainer member adjacent the flange.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a locking apparatus for a
skateboard having a pair of wheel trucks mountable to a
board member, comprising: a cable having first and second
ends; a substantially flat base plate mountable between a
first of the pair of wheel trucks and the board member, the
base plate comprising a tubular mount to which the first end
of the cable is secured, and a bracket to which the second
end of the cable may be connected, the base plate having a
thickness substantially smaller than a cross-section of the
tubular mount, the base plate including holes for mounting
the first of the pair of wheel trucks to the board member;
an elongate cable retainer member mountable to the board
member adjacent the first of the pair of wheel trucks, the
cable retainer member comprising a "U" shaped flange for
storing at least a portion of the cable between the flange
and the board member; and a ramped skid plate mountable on
the board member adjacent the cable retainer member adjacent
the flange.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a locking apparatus for a
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skateboard having a pair of wheel trucks mountable to a
board member, comprising: a bracket member comprising a
substantially flat base plate mountable between a first of
the pair of wheel trucks and the board member, a pair of
open barrels extending from opposing side edges of the base
plate for receiving a lock assembly therethrough, the base
plate having a thickness substantially smaller than a cross-
section of the open barrels, the base plate including holes
therethrough for mounting the first of the wheel trucks to
the board member; a lock assembly comprising a cable
receivable through the open barrels and a lock for locking
ends of the cable together; and a spacer plate mountable
between a second of the pair of wheel trucks and the board
member to provide an equal spacing between the wheel trucks
and board member as the base plate of the bracket member.
The locking devices of embodiment of the present
invention will help deter a would-be thief from stealing
skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like while the
rider eats lunch, goes to the lodge, car, beach or any other
situation would involve leaving their equipment behind for
any length of time. The present locking concepts can
provide the skateboarder, snowboarder and skier extra piece
of mind by knowing their equipment is secure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features of the
present invention will become better understood through a
consideration of the following description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a
skateboard and a first embodiment of a locking device
according to the present invention for sporting equipment;
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Figures 2a and 2b illustrate another form of the
locking device in further detail;
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Figure 3 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a skateboard
locking device;
Figures 4a through 4d illustrate further details of the device of Fig. 3;
Figure 5a is a perspective view of a skateboard with a modified form of
locking device, and further illustrates the use of a spacer plate on one wheel
truck, and Figure 5b is a perspective detailed view of a portion thereof;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another alternative locking device for
skateboards and the like;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking device
according to the present invention for use with a snowboard;
Figure 8 is a perspective view partially showing a pair of snow skis and a
further embodiment of a locking device of the present invention for use with
snow
skis;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative form of bracket which can
be used with skateboards and other devices along with some form of locking
cable or chain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a relatively simple and compact locking
device is provided for skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and the like. In
one
embodiment, the device comprises a compact and self-contained cable lock
which can be mounted to the truck of a skateboard, boot bracket attachment of
a
snowboard, or binding of a snow ski so as to be securely affixed to the sports
item. A lock can include a releasable cable which normally is retracted into
the
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locking device, but which can be extended to lock around a fixed pole or other
fixed or stationary object so as to secure the sporting item thereto. Other
embodiments have different forms of cable lock assemblies. In another
embodiment, a relatively simple bracket is provided which can be securely
attached, for example, between the wheel truck and skateboard body, and be
used with a cable and lock for securing the sporting item when desired.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning now to the drawings, and first to Figure 1, a portion of one end of
the bottom of a skateboard 10 is shown and which has a conventional wheel
truck
12 with a truck base 14 and wheels 15 and 16, it being understood that the
skateboard has a similar wheel assembly at the other end thereof (not shown in
Fig. 1, but see Fig. 5a) as is conventional. The wheel truck base 14 has
several
holes through which the same is attached to the underside of the skateboard 10
by bolts and nuts 18 in a conventional manner.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a combination
lock assembly 20 is affixed to the skateboard, preferably beneath the wheel
truck
14, and includes an extensible cable 22 which can be uncoiled or released so
that
it can be attached around a secure object, such as a fixed lamp-post, bicycle
rack, or the like. The combination lock assembly 20 includes a combination
lock
24 having the cable 22 affixed within the lock 24 at one end (not seen) and
being
releasable at a second end 26 by depressing a lock release button 28. A recoil
button 30 is provided which, when depressed, recoils the cable 22 back into
the
lock 24. The lock 24 further includes rotatable number wheels 32 via which the
lock combination can be set. This form of combination lock 24 having a cable
22,
lock release button 28, cable release button 30 and wheels 32, is essentially
a
conventional product. The combination lock 24 is affixed in any suitable
manner,
as by bolting or riveting to a sheet metal tab 36 or extrusion. The sheet
metal tab
or extrusion 36 is adapted to be affixed to the bottom of the skateboard
underneath the wheel truck 14 via the bolts and nuts 18. The tab 36 has
suitable
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holes which mate with the holes in the wheel truck 14 to allow this mounting
arrangement. The bolts and nuts 18 can be further secured by using a liquid
locking agent such as Loctite, or secured in any other suitable manner, so as
to
minimize the chance of disassembly of the lock assembly 20 from the truck 14
and board 10. A suitable decorative cover 38 having an end cap 39 can be
provided as part of the lock assembly 20.
In use, the skateboarder merely sets the appropriate combination on the
wheels 32 of the lock and depresses the lock release button 28 which allows
the
cable 22 to be detached at end 26. A length of the cable can then be pulled
out
of the lock 24 and wrapped around a secure object such as a lamp post or other
device, and the end 26 reinserted into the lock 24 and the wheels 32 changed
to
thereby secure cable 22 in the lock 24, and thus secure the skateboard to the
fixed object. The present arrangement is relatively compact and lightweight
and
does not interfere with or impede the operation of the skateboard 10, while
still
providing protection against theft. The combination lock can be replaced by a
key
lock if desired. However, the combination lock is preferred since the user
does
not have to keep, and keep track of, a key.
As is known to those skilled in the art, skateboards like skateboard 10 are
quite flexible, and, thus, it is important that an item like the lock assembly
20 be
formed of a material which also is somewhat flexible so as not to impede the
flexibility of the board. Any suitable material can be used including
aluminum,
super tough nylon, and the like. It is also important that the assembly 20 be
formed of a material which can withstand the impact when skidded on a hard or
rough surface, such as a curb. The end cap 39 at the forward end of the
assembly is suitably configured to minimize the chance of the lock assembly 20
catching on any item during use of the skateboard. Further, it is important
that
any structure added at or near the wheel truck 14 and wheels 15 and 16 not
interfere with the flexing of the same and do not present any drag points to
the
wheels themselves.
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A second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, and is similar to
the embodiment of Fig. 1 in that a lock assembly is adapted to be mounted
under
the wheel of truck 14 (not shown in Fig. 2), but has a different form of
combination
lock arrangement.
In this embodiment, the combination lock assembly 46 includes an
extrusion 48 forming a base plate which is disposed underneath the wheel truck
14 (not shown in Fig. 2) to the skateboard 10 (not shown in Fig. 2). The base
plate 48 includes as an integral part a tubular side section 54 to which an
end of a
cable 52 is secured. The base plate 48 has suitable mounting holes 48a to
allow
the same to be secured to the skateboard via the mounting bolts for the truck
14.
The lock assembly 46 further includes the steel cable 52, preferably plastic
coated and permanently affixed, as by swaging for example, to the tubular side
section 54. The base plate 48 extrusion also includes an upstanding bracket
62.
Thus, the first end of the cable 52 is secured in the section 54, and the
second
end is hingeably connected by a steel pin 56 to a removable end 58a of a
conventional combination lock 58. A second end 58b of the combination lock 58
is secured via another steel pin 60 to the bracket 62. The combination lock 58
has a plurality of wheels 64 which can be rotated to set the combination and
to
allow the same to be opened at the end 58a to thereby enable the cable 52 to
be
released and then wrapped around a fixed object in a manner like the cable 22
of
Figure 1.
The combination lock assembly 46 further includes a cable retainer
member or plate 66 attached to the board forward of the extrusion 48, and has
a
flanged forward section 68 for normally retaining the cable 52 underneath the
flange 68 as seen in Figure 2a. This arrangement help prevent the cable from
catching on objects while the skateboard is in use, but allows the cable to be
pulled out from under the flange 68 when the combination lock 58 is released
by
setting the selected combination. The embodiment of Figure 2a further
preferably
includes a molded plastic skid plate 70, suitably spaced from the flange 68 by
a
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spacer tab 72 to provide room for the insertion and removal of the cable 52
under
the flange 68. This skid plate 70 is disposed toward the forward end of the
overall
combination lock assembly and helps in preventing the assembly 46 from
catching on objects when the skateboard is in use.
As was the case for the embodiment of Figure 1, it is important that the
lock assembly of Figures 2a and 2b be sufficiently flexible and designed so as
not
to impede flexibility of the associated skateboard. Preferably the retainer
member
66 and skid plate 70 are formed of suitably strong but yet flexible material,
such
as super tough nylon, so as to be somewhat flexible and also withstand impact
and abrasion. In the embodiment of Figures 2a - 2b, the member 66 is secured
at
its forward end 49 with suitable screws (not shown) mounted through screw
holes
50a. Because of the flexing characteristics of the board, rearward screw holes
50b preferably are elongated, and the rear end of the member 66 is in the form
of
a tab and is not fastened to the board by screws but, instead, the rearwardly
extending tab 67 fits within a slot 48a in the extrusion 48 to be disposed
underneath the wheel truck base 14. This arrangement allows the retainer
member 66 to be retained against the bottom of the skateboard (not shown in
Figure 2b), but allows some movement of the retainer member 66 forward and
backwards with respect to the extrusion 48 to minimize impeding flexibility of
the
board.
A further embodiment is shown in Figure 3, and like reference numerals
are used for items which are the same as in Figure 1, namely a skateboard 10,
truck 12, truck base 14, wheels 15, 16 and mounting nuts and bolts 18. This
embodiment differs in that the lock assembly 70 is entirely removable from the
board 10. The assembly 70 comprises a combination lock 72 and cable 74
having an end 75 which releases from the lock 72 so that the cable 74 can be
threaded through open barrels 76, 77 of an extrusion 78, preferably a machined
aluminum extrusion and which is shown in greater detail in Figures 4a and 4c.
The cable 74 can be released when the combination is set and a cable release
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72a is depressed. A molded plastic skid plate 80 serves both as a skid plate
and
a cover or retainer for the combination lock 72. As will be apparent, the
extrusion
78 is mounted underneath the truck base 14. The skid plate 80 includes a
plurality
of holes 84 to allow the same to be retained on the board by suitable wood
screws.
This arrangement allows the lock assembly 70 to either be mounted as
shown in Fig. 3 or, alternatively, the lock assembly 70 can be removed from
the
board and carried around the neck of the skateboarder if desired. Figure 5a
shows an example of how the assembly 70 can be secured to the board
extrusion. The relatively wide barrel sections 76 and 77 are relatively
difficult to
cut in the case of an attempted theft. Preferably, one of the barrel sections,
such
as section 77 as best seen in Figure 4a is of a shorter length so as to allow
the
shackle of a typical padlock to fit within the opening therein if desired. A
further
alternative for allowing the use of conventional padlocks is shown in Figure
5b
and will be discussed subsequently.
Turning now to Figures 5a and 5b, the same illustrate a modification of the
embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 wherein an extrusion 88 similar to the extrusion
78 of Fig. 3 has side barrel sections 86 and 87 with at least one drilled hole
87a
(note Fig. 5b) to more readily allow a short shackle 90 of a lock 91 to be
locked to
the extrusion 88 so as to enable a cable 92 to be locked about any suitable
fixed
object for security purposes. This Figure 5a also illustrates how the lock
assembly 70 can be fed through one of the barrels 86 for locking the board to
a
fixed object for security purposes.
When an item such as the extrusions 78 (Fig. 3), 88 (Fig. 5a) or plate or
extrusion 36 and 48 (Figs. 1 and 2) are added underneath one of the truck
bases
14 of the skateboard, it is desirable to shim the second truck base 14a at the
other end of the board with a spacer plate 94 as illustrated in Figure 5a so
as to
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provide an equal spacing of the truck 14a on the board like the spacing of the
truck 14 caused by the addition of the extrusion or plate.
Turning now to Figure 6, another embodiment is shown which is
substantially identical to that of Figure 1, but in this case for a snowboard
96. The
combination lock assembly 20 is identical to that shown in Figure 1, and
includes
the tab 36 which can be attached to the top of the board 96 via the snowboard
boot bracket 97. The boot bracket 97 is conventional, except to the extent it
or
the tab 36 may need to be modified to fit the tab 36 underneath the boot
bracket.
A still further embodiment is illustrated in Figure 7, and in this case a lock
assembly 100a - 100b is provided for a pair of snow skis 102a - 102b having
typical bindings 104a - 104b with respective bases 106a - 106b for attachment
to
the skis.
The lock assemblies 100a and 100b in this embodiment may comprise a
pair of assemblies 100a and 100b forming a two-part design so as to provide
equal weight on both skis 102a - 102b, although a single combination lock
assembly could be used (similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 6) if desired.
Each assembly 100a and 100b includes an elongated sheet metal plate 110a -
110b which is secured under the binding plates 106a - 106b to the respective
skis
102a - 102b. One of the two assemblies 100a - 100b includes a combination or
key lock, and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 the assembly 100a is
shown with a combination lock 114 with an opening 115 for an end 116 of a
cable
117 which, in turn, is fixed at 118 to the second lock assembly 100b. The lock
assembly can include a recoil assembly in assembly 1 OOb so as to allow the
cable
117 to be fully retracted within assembly 100b when not in use. A recoil
button
120 is provided for this purpose.
As an alternative to the combination lock 114, the lock assembly 110a can
be a key lock. In this case, the forward end 124 of assembly 100a can be
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of flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, with a slit 125 to allow the
end 126
to be pulled forwardly so as to uncover a key slot hold. This flexible end 126
arrangement allows the key slot hole to be covered while the skis are in use
so as
to prevent or minimize snow or other material entering the key slot hold.
A further lock arrangement is illustrated in Figure 8 and comprises a cable
coil assembly 130 housing a coil of cable 132. The assembly 130 includes a
plurality of apertures 134 to allow the same to be mounted beneath the truck
base
14 (not shown in Fig. 6). Preferably, the cable 132 retracts under spring
pressure
within the assembly 130.
Figure 9 illustrates still another, and simpler arrangement for locking sports
equipment, particularly skateboards. This device does not include its own
built in
lock (not shown but of the type used to lock bicycles) or cable assembly as in
the
other embodiments, but comprises a metal bracket 142 configured to fit, for
example, under the truck base 14 (Fig. 1 ) and to provide inclined ribs 144,
146
with respective holes 144x, 146a for receiving a separate cable and lock which
the skateboarder can carry in a pocket or the like. This assembly provides a
very
simple and inexpensive device which can be mounted between the truck base 14
and bottom of the skateboard 10 (Fig. 1 ) via mounting holes 148. An
upstanding
tab 150 can be integrally formed, and can have a recessed area 152 for a label
containing a logo, instructions for use, or the like. The bracket 112
typically can
be formed of 0.093 inch thickness 50/52 aluminum, with an anodized finish,
which
has been found to be of suitable structural integrity for use as a locking
bracket.
While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and
described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention, and all such modifications and equivalents are
intended
to be covered.
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