Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TRUCK ASSEMBLY
Field of Disclosure
[001] The present disclosure relates generally to a truck assembly, and
more particularly
to a truck assembly useful with roller skates and/or skate boards.
Backffround
[002] Trucks help a user to turn their roller skates. The skater can turn
their roller
skates by leaning their weight laterally through their foot thereby causing
the cushions of the
truck to flex and the axle of the truck and the wheels of the roller skate to
tilt to the left or to the
right. When the truck is not being used to turn the roller skate the pressure
applied on the
cushion is uniform. As such, the same amount of force is necessary to tilt the
axle of the truck to
the left or to the right.
= Summary
[003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a truck assembly.
The truck
assembly includes a mounting plate, a cushion, an axle assembly, and a swing
pin. The
=
mounting plate includes a first mounting bracket with a first arm, a second
arm and a ridge. The
first arm has a first surface defining a first opening through the first arm.
The second arm has a
second surface defining a second opening in the second arm, where the first
opening and the
second opening share a rotation axis. The ridge extends parallel with the
rotation axis at least
partially between the first arm and the second arm.
[004] The cushion having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the
front surface.
The front surface defines a concave segment. The rear surface defines a notch
that receives and
seats the ridge of the mounting bracket. Together the concave segment and at
least a portion of
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the first arm and the second arm define a socket. The cushion also includes a
first lateral surface
and a second lateral surface.
[005] The axle assembly has a wheel shaft and a track support. The
wheel shaft passes
through the second opening of the truck support to provide a first wheel shaft
and a second wheel
shaft, where the first wheel shaft extends along a central axis from the truck
support and the
second wheel shaft extends along the central axis from the truck support in a
direction opposite
the first wheel shaft, where the central axis is perpendicular to the rotation
axis of the mounting
bracket.
= [006]
The truck support includes a third surface that defines a first opening
through the =
truck support, a fourth surface that defines a second opening through the
truck support, a convex
surface, a first cushion support arm and a second cushion support arm. The
first opening through
the truck support is coaxial with the rotation axis of the first mounting
bracket. The convex
surface has a convex segment that seats in the socket.
[007] The first lateral surface of the cushion is adjacent the first
cushion support arm
and the second lateral surfaCe of the cushion is adjacent the second cushion
support arm.
[008] The swing pin that passes through the first opening of the first
mounting bracket,
the opening through the truck support and at least partially through the
second opening of the
first mounting bracket, where the swing pin releasably joins the cushion and
the axle assembly to
the first mounting bracket.
[009] In an additional embodiment, the truck assembly of the present
disclosure can
include a mounting plate having both the first mounting bracket, as discussed
herein, and a
second mounting bracket, where the second mounting bracket on the mounting
plate has the
same elements as the first mounting bracket. The truck assembly having the
first and second
mounting bracket also includes cushions, axle assemblies, and swing pins.
[010] The present disclosure also provides for a roller-skate that includes
a boot having
a sole, the mounting plate secured to the sole of the boot, where the mounting
plate includes the
first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, as discussed herein,
and a wheel
mounted on each of the first wheel shaft and the second wheel shaft, for a
total of four wheels on
each roller-skate.
[011] The present disclosure also provides for a cushion for a truck
assembly, where the
cushion includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a
first lateral surface,
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and a second lateral surface, where the front surface defines a concave
segment, the rear surface
defines a notch that extends towards the concave segment
Brief Description of the Fieures
[001] Figure 1 illustrates a truck assembly according to an embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[002] Figure 2 illustrates a mounting plate and a swing pin of the truck
assembly
= according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[003] Figure 3A illustrates a cushion Of the truck assembly according to an
embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[004] Figure 3B illustrates the cushion of the truck assembly seated in the
mounting
plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[005] Figure 4A illustrates an axle assembly of the truck assembly
according to an
=
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[006] Figure 4B illustrates the axle assembly positioned relative the
cushion and
mounting plate of the truck assembly according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[007] Figure 5 illustrates an adjustment member according to an embodiment
of the
= present disclosure.
[008] Figure 6A illustrates the axle assembly, the first adjustment member
and the
second adjustment member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[009] Figure 6B illustrates the axle assembly according to an embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[010] Figure 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the axle assembly
taken along lines
6C-6C in Figure 6B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[011] Figure 6D illustrates a mounting plate of the truck assembly
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[012] Figure 6E illustrates the axle assembly according to an embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[013] Figure 6F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the axle assembly
taken along lines
6F-6F in Figure 6E according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[014] Figure 6G illustrates a mounting plate of the truck assembly
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[015] Figure 7 illustrates an adjustment nut according to an embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
[016] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a truck assembly according to
an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[017] Figure 9 illustrates a mounting plate of the truck assembly according
to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
= [018]
Figure 10 illustrates a roller skate that includes the truck assembly
according to an = embodiment of the present disclosure.
=
Detailed Description
[019] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a truck assembly 100
according to the
present disclosure. The truck assembly 100 includes a mounting plate 102, a
cushion 104, an
axle assembly 106, a swing pin 108, a first adjustment member 110, a second
adjustment
member 112, a first adjustment nut 114, and a second adjustment nut 116. As
discussed herein,
the first adjustment member 110 and the second adjustment member 112 can be
independently
moved, relative each other, through the use of their respective first
adjustment nut 114, and
second adjustment nut 116. This allows independent adjustment of the first
adjustment member
= =
110 and the second adjustment member 112 relative the cushion 104.
[020] The truck assembly 100 introduces an approach to adjusting the
turning action of
a truck useful for roller skates and/or skate boards that is very different
than traditional
approaches. For the present disclosure, pressure applied to the cushion 104
(through the
adjustment members 110, 112, as discussed herein) for adjusting the turning
action of the truck
assembly 100 is directed either into or out of a median plane 117 that bisects
the truck assembly
100 vertically through the mounting plate 102, the cushion 104, the axle
assembly 106 and the
swing pin 108.
[021] The adjustment members 110, 112 can also be used to apply pressure to
the
cushion 104 independently of each other. This feature of the truck assembly
100 allows for the
option of "tuning the steering of the truck assembly 100 in a directional
format. That is to say,
it allows the user to put pressure on the cushion 104 in an asymmetrical way
form the right side
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or the left side, relative the medial plane 117, of the truck assembly 100.
So, for example, if
steering to the left (in a common pattern for a skater to skate in circles or
laps around the rink in
repetitive left-turn cycle), he/she can adjust the pressure on one side of the
cushion 104
completely independently from the other side thus presenting a benefit to the
user. This is
unique because traditional trucks only offer a single force direction on the
cushion (straight down
or approximately vertical) and does not allow for compensation for a
competitive or recreational
user to focus on a single direction turning radius focus.
[022] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the mounting plate 102. As
illustrated, the
mounting plate 102 includes a first mounting bracket 118 with a first arm 120,
a second arm 122
and a ridge 124. The first arm 120 and the second arm 122 extend parallel to
each other from the
mounting plate 102. The first arm 120 has a first surface 126 -defining a
first opening 128.
through the first arra 120. The second arm 122 has a second surface 130
defining a second
opening 132 in the second arm 122.
[023] The first opening 128 and the second opening 132 share a rotation
axis 134. As
illustrated, the rotational axis 134 is located in the approximate center of
the openings 1.28 and
132 defined by the first surface 126 and second surface 130, respectively.
Relative a
longitudinal axis 119 of the mounting plate 102, the rotation axis 134 forms
an angle of about
forty-five (45) degrees (as illustrated). It is appreciated that other angles
for the rotation axis 134
relative the longitudinal axis 119 of the mounting plate 102 are also
possible. These can include,
but are not limited to, 10 degrees.
[024] As illustrated, the ridge 124 extends parallel with the rotation axis
134 at least
partially between the first arm 120 and the second arm 122. In one embodiment,
the ridge 124
can extend completely between the first arm 120 and the second arm 122. In
addition, the ridge
124 can extend up to approximately the first surface 126 and/or the second
surface 130. For the
various embodiments, the ridge 124 can have different heights and/or
thicknesses as desired.
[025] The mounting plate 102 further includes surfaces 136 that define
mounting
openings 138 through the mounting plate 102. A fastener can pass at least
partially through the
mounting opening 138 to allow the mounting plate 102 to be secured to a boot
of a roller skate or
to a board of a skateboard. Such fasteners can include, but are not limited
to, a screw or a
threaded bolt, where a threaded nut can be used with the threaded bolt to
secure the mounting
plate 102.
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[026] Figure 3A illustrates an embodiment of the cushion 104. As
illustrated, the
cushion 104 includes a front surface 140 and a rear surface 142 opposite the
front surface 140.
The cushion 104 also includes a first lateral surface 144 and a second lateral
surface 146 that
engage the first adjustment member 110 and the second adjustment member 112,
as discussed
herein. The cushion 104 does not include an annular opening or a central bore
(e.g., a region
bounded by two concentric circles), as is found in traditional roller skate
and/or skateboard
trucks. As illustrated, the front surface 140 defmes a concave segment 148 and
the rear surface
142 defines a notch 150 that extends towards the concave segment 148. The
notch 150 can
receive and seat the ridge 124 of the first mounting bracket 118. For the
various embodiments,
the cushion 104 is an elastomeric polymer (e.g., can be formed of an
elastomeric polymer).
Examples of suitable elastomeric Polymers include, but are not limited to
natural rubber,
synthetic rubber or a thermoset polymer, such as polyurethane. The elastomeric
polymer of the
cushion 104 can have a Shore A 'Hardness of 70 to 99, as determined by ASTM
D2240 Type A
Scale.
[027] For the various embodiments, the cushion 104 can be formed in a
molding
process, such as injection molding or compression molding, among others. In
one embodiment,
the notch 150 is 0.1 inch wide and 0.806 inch long. Other sizes for the width
and length of the
notch 150 are possible.
[028] = For the embodiments, when the ridge 124 is seated in the notch 150,
pressure -
applied to one of the first lateral surface 144 or the second lateral surface
146 of the cushion 104
can be carried by the ridge 124. In this way, the amount of pressure
transferred through the
cushion 104 from one of the first lateral surface 144 to the second lateral
surface 146, or visa-
versa, can be minimized. As appreciated, the ridge 124 has a height, a length
and a thickness
that, for the given material from which it is produced, can carry this
pressure and/or force as the
truck assembly 100 is used.
[029] Figure 3B illustrates the cushion 104 positioned between the first
arm 120 and the
second arm 122 of the first mounting bracket 118 with the ridge seated in the
notch. As
illustrated, together the concave segment 148 of the cushion 104 and at least
a portion of the first
arm 120 and the second arm 122 define a socket 152.
[030] Figure 4A provides an illustration of the axle assembly 106. As
illustrated, the
axle assembly 106 includes a first wheel shaft 154, a second wheel shaft 156
and a truck support
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158. The first wheel shaft 154 extends along a central axis 160 from the truck
support 158, while
the second wheel shaft 156 extends along the central axis 160 from the truck
support 158 in a
direction opposite the first wheel shaft 154. The first wheel shaft 154 and
the second wheel shaft
156 can be formed from a single elongate shaft (e.g., axle) that can be
textured (e.g., knurled)
and pressed through an elongate opening 161 of the axle assembly 106 for a
friction fit.
[031] The truck support 158 also includes a third surface 162 that defines
an opening
164 through the truck support 158, a first tubular shaft 166, a second tubular
shaft 168, a convex
surface 170, and a guide surface 172 having a predefined shape. When assembled
(as illustrated
in Figure 1 for example), the opening 164 through the truck support 158 is
coaxial with the
rotation axis 134 of the first mounting bracket 1 ITS.
[032] The first tubular shaft 166 is coaxial with the central axis 160 and
extends in a
direction of the first wheel shaft 154 away from the opening 164 through the
truck support 158.
The second tubular shaft 168 is also cOaxial with the central axis 160 and
extends in a direction
of the second wheel shaft 156 away from the opening 164 through the truck
support 158. Both
the first tubular shaft 166 and the second tubular shaft 168 have a threaded
surface 174 that can
receive the first adjustment nut and the second adjustment nut, respectively.
[033] The convex surface 170 has a convex segment 176 that seats in the
socket 152.
Figure 4B provides an illustration in which the convex segment is seated in
the socket. Figure
4B also provides a view of the guide surface 172 of the truck support 158,
where the guide
surface 172 has a predefined shape. As illustrated in the embodiment of Figure
4B, the
predefined shape of the guide surface 172 has a planar surface 178 with a
first shoulder 180 and
a second shoulder 181 (e.g., an angled or sloping surface relative the planar
surface 178). As
discussed more fully herein, the predefined shape of the guide surface 170
allows for the first
adjustment member 110 and the second adjustment member 112 to each
independently travel
laterally (relative the central axis 160) over at least a portion of the guide
surface 170 without
rotating relative the central axis 160. It is appreciated that other
predefined shapes for the guide
surface 172 are possible (e.g., other shapes that would allow the first
adjustment member 110
and the second adjustment member 112 to each independently travel laterally
(relative the central
axis 160) over at least a portion of the guide surface 170 without rotating
relative the central axis
160).
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[034] Figure 4B, as discussed herein, illustrates the axle assembly
106 positioned so that
the convex segment is seated in the socket (as seen in Figure 3B) with the
rotation axis 134
passing through the geometric centers of the first opening 128, the second
opening 132 and the
opening 164 through the truck support 158 (e.g., coaxial). As illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, the
swing pin 108 passes through the first opening 128 of the first mounting
bracket 118, the
opening 164 through the truck support 158 and at least partially through the
second opening 132
of the first mounting bracket 118. In this way, the swing pin 108 can
releasably join the cushion
104 and the axle assembly 106 to the first mounting bracket 118. As
illustrated in Figure 2, the
= swing pin 108 can be in the form of a threaded bolt having a shaft 180
with a head 182 having a
socket (e.g., a hexagonal socket) to receive a driving tool (e.g., a hex key)
at one end of the shaft
180 and a surface defining thread 184 at the other end of the shaft 180. The
second surface 130
defining the second opening 132 can include a thread tapped into the surface
130 that allow for
thread 184 of the swing pin 108 to be releasably joined to the first mounting
bracket 118.
[035] Figure 4B also illustrates an embodiment of the second adjustment
member 112
positioned on the axle assembly 106, where the first adjustment member (110)
is not shown so as
to illustrate the thread 174. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the
adjustment member 110,
112 where the description of the adjustment member is applicable to both the
first and the second
adjustment members 110, 112, As illustrated, the adjustment member 110, 112
has a first
surface 186, a second surface 188, and a cushion arm 190. The first surface
186 defines an =
opening 192 that can be mounted at least partially over the first tubular
shaft 166 or the second
tubular shaft 168 of the truck support 158. The second surface 188 seats
against the guide
surface 172 of the truck support 158, where the predefined shape, as discussed
herein, snows the
adjustment member 110, 112 to travel at least partially over the guide surface
172 of the truck
support 158 and prevents the first surface 186 of the adjustment member 110,
112 from rotating
relative the central axis 160. The cushion aim 190 extends away from both the
first surface 186,
the second surface 188. When mounted on the truck support 158, the cushion arm
190 of the
adjustment member 110, 112 also extends away from the central axis 160 of the
truck support
158 and can contact the first lateral surface 144 and the second lateral
surface 146, respectively,
of the cushion 104.
[036] Identical to the first adjustment member 110, the second adjustment
member 112
also has the first surface 186, the second surface 188, and the cushion arm
190 (the second
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adjustment member 112 shown in Figure 5, where element number 112 for the
second
adjustment member is shown in parentheses). The second adjustment member 112
includes the
first surface 186 defining the opening 192 that can be mounted at least
partially over the second
tubular shaft 168 of the truck support 158. The second surface 188 seats
against the guide
surface 172 of the truck support 158, where the predefined shape, as discussed
herein, allows the
second adjustment member 112 to travel at least partially over the guide
surface 172 of the truck
support 158 and prevents the first surface 186 of the second adjustment member
112 from
rotating relative the central axis 160. The cushion arm 190 extends away from
both the first
surface 186, the second surface 188. When mounted on the truck support 158,
the cushion arm
190 of the first adjustment member 110 also extends away from the central axis
160 of the truck
support 158 and can contact the second lateral surface 146 of the cushion 104.
[037] Figure 6A provides an illustration Of the axle assembly 106, the
first adjustment
member 110 and the second adjustment member 112, as discussed herein. Figure
6A also
illustrates the first adjustment nut 114 and the second adjustment nut 116,
where Figure 7
illustrates the adjustment nut (e.g., either the first adjustment nut 114 or
the second adjustment
nut 116) by itself. As seen in Figure 7, the adjustment nut 114, 116 has a
surface 198 defining an
internal thread 101 that reversibly engages the threaded surface 174 of either
the first tubular
shaft 166 and/or the second tubular shaft 168 of the truck support 158. As the
adjustment nut
114, 116 is rotated relative the threaded surface 174 of the first tubular
shaft 166 or the second
tubular shaft 168, the cushion arm 190 of the adjustment member 110, 112 can
move relative the
first lateral surface 144 and/or the second lateral surface 146 of the cushion
104.
[038] Independent of the first adjustment nut 114, the internal tread of
the second
adjustment nut 116 can reversibly engages the threaded surface 174 of the
second tubular shaft
168 of the truck support 158 to move the cushion arm 190 of the second
adjustment member 112
relative the second lateral surface 146 of the cushion 104. In other words,
the second adjustment.
nut 116 can be rotated to move the cushion arm 190 of the second adjustment
member 112
relative the second lateral surface 146 of the cushion 104 independently of
the cushion arm 190
of the first adjustment member 110, and visa-versa.
[039] Figure 6A also illustrates a bearing 103 seated in the opening of the
truck support
158. When assembled (as illustrated in Figure 1 for example), the bearing 103
is coaxial with
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the rotation axis 134 of the first mounting bracket 118. The bearing 103 also
includes an inner
diameter 105 that can allow the shaft 180 of the swing pin 108 to pass through
the bearing 103.
[0401 The bearing 103 can guide the motion of the axle assembly 106
on the swing pin
108 (having been releasably secured to the first mounting bracket 118 as
illustrated in Figure 1).
Specifically, the bearing 103 allows the axle assembly 106 to rotate around at
least a portion of
the rotation axis 134, where the interaction of the first and second
adjustment members 110, 112
and the cushion 104 constrain the amount of rotation.
[041] For the various embodiments, the bearing 103 can be a plain
bearing or a roller
. element bearing. Examples of a plain bearing can include a journal
bearing, an integral bearing,
or a bushing. Examples of a roller element bearing can include a ball bearing,
a cylindrical roller
bearing Or a needle bearing, among Others.
= [042] The truck assembly 100 can also include a washer 107
positioned between the
truck support 158 and the first arm. 120 and/or the second arm 122 of the
first mounting bracket'
118. An example of a suitable washer 107 includes, but is not limited to, a
plain washer. The
washer 107 can be formed from.a polymer, a metal and/or a metal alloy.
Examples of suitable
polymers include, but are not limited a nylon (i.e., a polyarnide) and
polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE), among others. Examples of suitable metals and/or metal alloys include
steel, stainless
steel, hardened steel aluminum and titanium, among others.
[043] The truck assembly 100 can be used with a variety of devices.
Examples of such
devices include, but are not limited to, roller skates and skateboards, among
others. The truck
assembly 100 can be mounted to the roller skate or skateboard with fasteners
(e.g., bolts or
screws) that pass through the mounting openings 138 of the mounting plate 102.
When bolts
(seen in Figure 4B) are used as the fastener, a nut and washer can be used to
secure the truck
assembly 100 to the device (e.g., roller skate and/or skateboard).
=
[044] Referring now to Figures 6B through 6D, there is shown an additional
embodiment of an axle assembly 606 for use in the truck assembly 609
(illustrated in Figure 6D).
As illustrated, the axle assembly 606 includes a wheel shaft 653 and a truck
support 658. The
wheel shaft 653 has the first wheel shaft 654 and the second wheel shaft 656
portions that extend
along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658 in opposite directions
(e.g., the second
wheel shaft 656 extends along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658
in a direction
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opposite the first wheel shaft 654). The first wheel shaft 654 receives a
first wheel and the
second wheel shaft 656 receives a second wheel, as illustrated in Figure 6D.
[045] Referring now to Figures 6B and 6C, there is shown an embodiment of
the
cushion 604. The cushion 604 includes a front surface 640 and a rear surface
642 opposite the
front surface 640. The cushion 604 also includes a first lateral surface 644
and a second lateral
surface 646. The front surface 640 defines a concave segment 648 and the rear
surface 642
defines a notch 650 that extends towards the concave segment 648. The notch
650 can receive
and seat the ridge (seen in Figure 2) of the first mounting bracket 618.
[046] The cushion 604 further includes an opening 655 to receive a cushion
locking pin
681. As illustrated, the cushion 604 includes two Of the openings 655, where a
first 659 of the
opening 655 is defined by a portion of the first lateral surface 644 of the
cushion 604, and a :
second 661 of the opening 655 is defined by a portion of the second lateral
surface 646 of the
cushion 604. For the various embodiments, the cushion 604 is an elastomeric
polymer (e.g., can
be formed of an elastomeric polymer). Examples of suitable elastomeric
polymers and their
Shore A Hardness include those discussed herein. For the various embodiments,
the notch can
be 0.1 inch wide and 0.806 inch long. Other dimensions for the notch are also
possible.
[047] Referring again to Figures 6B and 6C, the truck support 658 is shown
having a
third surface 662 that defines a first opening 663 through the truck support
658, a fourth surface
665 that defines a second opening 667 through the truck support 658, and a.
convex surface 670.
The wheel shaft 653 passes through the second opening 667 of the truck support
658 to provide
the first wheel shaft 654 and the second wheel shaft 656. As illustrated, the
first wheel shaft 654
extends along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658 and the second
wheel shaft 656
extends along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658 in a direction
opposite the first
wheel shaft 654.
[048] The truck support 658 also includes a first cushion support arm 673
and a second
cushion support arm 675. Each of the first cushion support ann 673 and the
second cushion
support arm 675 has a threaded surface 677 defining a cushion locking pin
opening 679. A
cushion locking pin opening 679 passes through each of the first cushion
support arm 673 and
the second cushion support arm 675, respectively. The cushion locking pin 681
has a head 683
and a shaft 685 that extends from the head 683. The shaft 685 has a threaded
surface portion 687
that can releasably engage the threaded surface 677 of the cushion locking pin
opening 679. At
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least a portion of the shaft 685 extends through the opening 655 in the
cushion 604 to receive the
cushion locking pin 681 in the cushion 604. The head 683 of the cushion
locking pin 681 has a
surface defining a hexagonal opening that receives a hex-wrench (e.g. an Allen
wrench). Other
surfaces defining openings are possible that can receive tools such as a Torx
bit, a Phillips-head
screwdriver or a flat-head screwdriver.
[049] When the cushion 604 is seated in the truck support 658, the first
lateral surface
644 of the cushion 604 is adjacent the first cushion support arm 673 and the
second lateral
surface 646 of the cushion 604 is adjacent the second cushion support arm 675.
When the
. cushion 604 is seated in the truck support 658, the cushion locking pin
opening 679 aligns with =
the opening 655 in the cushion. The cushion locking pin 681 passes through the
cushion locking
pin opening 679 and the opening 655; where the threaded surfaces 677 and 687
can releasably
engage to hold and seat the cushion 604 adjacent the first cushion support arm
673 and the
second cushion support arm 675. As illustrated, the convex surface 670 of the
truck support 658'
also defines a pin socket 689, where the pin socket 689 receives at least a
portion of the shaft 685
of the cushion locking pin 681. -
[050] Referring now to Figure 6D, there is shown an embodiment of the truck
assembly
609 that includes the mounting plate 613 having the first mounting bracket 618
with the first arm
620, the second arm 622 and the ridge, as discussed herein. Briefly, the first
arm 620 has the
first surface 626 defining the first opening 628 through the first arm 620.
The second arm 622
has the second surface defining the second opening in the second arm. The
first opening 628 and
the second opening share the rotation axis 634, which is located in the
approximate center of the
first opening 628 and the second opening in the arms 620 and 622,
respectively. The ridge
extends parallel with the rotation axis 634 at least partially between the
first arm 620 and the
second arm 622.
[051] The axle assembly 606 can include bearing 603, as discussed herein,
seated in the
first opening 663 of the truck support 658. The bearing 603 includes an inner
diameter (605 in
Figs. 6B) that can allow the shaft of the swing pin 608 to pass through the
bearing 603. The
swing pin 608 passes through the first opening 628 of the first mounting
bracket 618, the
opening through the truck support 658 and at least partially through the
second opening of the
first mounting bracket 618, where the swing pin 608 releasably joins the
cushion 604 and the
axle assembly 606 to the first mounting bracket 618. When assembled (as
illustrated in Figure
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6D for example), the first opening 663 through the truck support 658 is
coaxial with the rotation
axis of the first mounting bracket 618.
[052) The bearing 603 can guide the motion of the axle assembly
606 on the swing pin
(having been releasably secured to the first mounting bracket). Specifically,
the bearing 603
allows the axle assembly 606 to rotate around at least a portion of the
rotation axis 634, where
the interaction of the cushion support arms 673 and 675 and the cushion 604
constrain the
amount of rotation. The central axis 660 is perpendicular to the rotation axis
634 of the
mounting bracket 618. The bearing 603 can be a plain bearing or a roller
element bearing, as
described herein.
10531 The truck assembly 609 can also include a washer, as
discussed herein, positioned
between the truck support 658 and the first arm and/or the second 'arm of the
first mounting
bracket. As with truck assembly 109, truck assembly 609 includes the first
mounting bracket
618-1 and a second mounting bracket 618-2 on the mounting plate 602. As with
the first
mounting bracket 618-1, the second mounting bracket 618-2 includes the same
structures, such
as a first arm 620-2, a second arm 622-2 and a ridge, as discussed herein. As
illustrated in Figure
6D, the second mounting bracket 618-2 includes a first surface defming a first
opening 628
Through the first arm 620-2, and a second surface 630-2 defining a second
opening 632-2 in the
second arm 622-2. The first opening 628-2 and the second opening 632-2 of the
second
'mounting bracket 618-2 share a rotation axis 634-2. The ridge extends
parallel with the rotation
axis 634-2 at least partially between the first arm 620-2 and the second arm
622-2. The rotation
axis 634-1 of the first mounting bracket 618-1 and the rotation axis 634-2 of
the second
mounting bracket 618-2 can intersect at an angle of approximately ninety
degrees.
= [054] The truck assembly 609 further includes cushions 604-1 and
604-2, as discussed
herein. As discussed, the notch of the cushions 604-1 and 604-2 can receive
and seat each of the
ridges of the mounting brackets 618-1 and 618-2. The truck assembly 609 also
includes axle
assemblies 606-1 and 606-2, as discussed herein, each having the first wheel
shaft 654-1, 654-2,
the second wheel shaft 656-1 and 656-2 and the truck support 658-1, 658-2. As
with the truck
support 658-1, there is a surface defining an opening through the truck
support 658-2 that is
coaxial with the rotation axis 634-2 of the second mounting bracket 618-2.
[055] The truck assembly 609 further includes swing pins 608-1 and
608-2. Each of the
swing pins 608-1 and 608-2 passes through their respective the first openings
628-1, 628-2, the
13
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
4
BCH Dktit 250.0040003
opening through their respective truck support 658-1, 658-2 and at least
partially through each of
their respective second opening 632-1, 632-2 to releasably join the cushion
604-1, 604-2 and the
axle assemblies 606-1 and 606-2 to the first mounting bracket 618-1 and the
second mounting
bracket 618-2, respectively. The truck assembly 609 further includes cushion
locking pins 681,
as discussed herein.
[056] The truck assembly 609 also includes a socket 615 that can
receive a toe stop and
hold the toe stop through the use of a set bolt 621, where the set bolt 621
reversibly clamps the
toe stop to the truck assembly 609. The truck assembly 609 further includes
surfaces 636-1 and
=
636-2 that define mounting openings 638-1 and 638-2 through the mounting
plate 602. =
= Fasteners, as discussed herein, can pass at least partially through the
mounting openings 638-1
and 638-2 to allow the mounting plate .602 to be secured to a boot of a roller
skate.
[057] The truck assembly 609 can be used with a variety of devices.
Examples of such =
devices include, but are not limited to, roller skates and skateboards, among
others. The truck
assembly 609 can be mounted to the roller skate or skateboard with fasteners
(e.g., bolts or
screws) that pass through the mounting openings 638 of the mounting plate 602.
When bolts are
used as the fastener, a nut and washer can be used to secure the truck
assembly 609 to the device
(e.g., roller skate and/or skateboard).
[058] Referring now to Figures 6E through 6G, there is shown an additional
embodiment of an axle assembly 606 for use in the truck assembly 609
(illustrated in Figure 6G). =
As illustrated, the axle assembly 606 includes a wheel shaft 653 and a truck
support 658. The
wheel shaft 653 has the first wheel shaft 654 and the second wheel shaft 656
portions that extend
along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658 in opposite directions
(e.g., the second
wheel shaft 656 extends along the central axis 660 from the truck support 658
in a direction
opposite the first wheel shaft 654). The first wheel shaft 654 receives .a
first wheel and the
second wheel shaft 656 receives a second wheel, as illustrated in Figure 6D.
[059] Referring now to Figures 6E and 6F, there is shown an embodiment of
the
cushion 604. The cushion 604 includes a front surface 640 and a rear surface
642 opposite the
front surface 640. The cushion 604 also includes a first lateral surface 644
and a second lateral
surface 646. The front surface 640 defines a concave segment 648 and the rear
surface 642
defines a notch 650 that extends towards the concave segment 648. The notch
650 can receive
and seat the ridge (seen in Figure 2) of the first mounting bracket 618.
14
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
BCH Dkt# 250.0040003
[060] For the various embodiments, the cushion 604 is an elastomeric
polymer (e.g., can
be formed of an elastomeric polymer). Examples of suitable elastomeric
polymers and their
Shore A Hardness include those discussed herein. For the various embodiments,
the notch can
be 0.1 inch wide and 0.806 inch long. Other dimensions for the notch are also
possible.
[061] The truck support 658 is shown having a third surface 662 that
defines a first
opening 663 through the truck support 658, a fourth surface 665 that defines a
second opening
667 through the truck support 658, and a convex surface 670. The wheel shaft
653 passes
through the second opening 667 of the truck support 658 to provide the first
wheel shaft 654 and
the second wheel shaft 656. As illustrated, the first wheel shaft 654 extends
along the central
axis 660 from the truck support 658 and the second Wheel shaft 656 extends
along the central
axis 660 from the truck support 658 in a direction opposite the first wheel
shaft 654. The truck.
support 658 also includes a first cushion support arm .673 and a second
cushion support arm 675.
When the cushion 604 is seated in the truck support 658, the first lateral
surface 644 of the
cushion 604 is adjacent the first cushion support arm 673 and the second
lateral surface 646 of
the cushion 604 is adjacent the second cushion support arm 675.
[062] Referring now to Figure 6G, there is shown an embodiment of the truck
assembly
609 that includes the mounting plate 613 having the fast mounting bracket 618
with the first arm
620, the second arm 622 and the ridge, as discussed herein. Briefly, the first
arm 620 has the
first surface 626 defining the first opening 628 through the first arm 620.
The second arm 622
has the second surface defining the second opening in the second arm. The
first opening 628 and
the second opening share the rotation axis 634, which is located in the
approximate center of the
first opening 628 and the second opening in the arms 620 and 622,
respectively. The ridge
extends parallel with the rotation axis 634 at least partially between the
first arm 620 and the
second arm 622.
[063] The axle assembly 606 can include bearing 603, as discussed herein,
seated in the
first opening 663 of the truck support 658. The bearing 603 includes an inner
diameter (605 in
Figs. 6E) that can allow the shaft of the swing pin 608 to pass through the
bearing 603. The
swing pin 608 passes through the first opening 628 of the first mounting
bracket 618, the
opening through the truck support 658 and at least partially through the
second opening of the
first mounting bracket 618, where the swing pin 608 releasably joins the
cushion 604 and the
axle assembly 606 to the first mounting bracket 618. When assembled (as
illustrated in Figure
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
BCH Dkt# 250_0040003
6G for example), the first opening 663 through the truck support 658 is
coaxial with the rotation
axis of the first mounting bracket 618.
[064] The bearing 603 can guide the motion of the axle assembly
606 on the swing pin
(having been releasably secured to the first mounting bracket). Specifically,
the bearing 603
allows the axle assembly 606 to rotate around at least a portion of the
rotation axis 634, where
the interaction of the cushion support arms 673 and 675 and the cushion 604
constrain the
amount of rotation. The central axis 660 is perpendicular to the rotation axis
634 of the
mounting bracket 618. The bearing 603 can be a plain bearing or a roller
element bearing, as
. described herein.
[065) The truck assembly 609 can also include a washer, as
discussed herein, positioned
between the truck support 658 and the first arm and/or the second arm of the
first mounting
bracket. As with truck assembly. 109, truck assembly 609 includes the first
mounting bracket
618-1 and a second mounting bracket 618-2 on the mounting plate 602. As with
the first
mounting bracket 618-1, the second mounting bracket 618-2 includes the same
structures, such
as a first arm 620-2, a second arm 622-2 and a ridge, as discussed herein. As
illustrated in Figure
6D, the second mounting bracket 618-2 includes a first surface defining a
first opening 628
through the first arm 620-2, and a second surface 630-2 defining a second
opening 632-2 in the
second arm 622-2. The first opening 628-2 and the second opening 632-2 of the
second
= mounting bracket 618-1 share a rotation axis 634-2. The 'ridge extends
parallel with the rotation =
axis 634-2 at least partially between the first arm 620-2 and the second arm
622-2. The rotation
axis 634-1 of the first mounting bracket 618-1 and the rotation axis 634-2 of
the second
mounting bracket 618-2 can intersect at an angle of approximately ninety
degrees.
[066] The truck assembly 609 further includes cushions 604-1 and 604-2, as
discussed
herein. As discussed, the notch of the cushions 604-1 and 604-2 can receive
and seat each of the
ridges of the mounting brackets 618-1 and 618-2. The truck assembly 609 also
includes axle
assemblies 606-1 and 606-2, as discussed herein, each having the first wheel
shaft 654-1, 654-2,
the second wheel shaft 656-1 and 656-2 and the truck support 658-1, 658-2. As
with the truck
support 658-1, there is a =face defining an opening through the truck support
658-2 that is
=
coaxial with the rotation axis 634-2 of the second mounting bracket 618-2.
[067] The truck assembly 609 further includes swing pins 608-1 and 608-2.
Each of the
swing pins 608-1 and 608-2 passes through their respective the first openings
628-1, 628-2, the
16
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
BCH Dkt# 250.0040003
opening through their respective truck support 658-1, 658-2 and at least
partially through each of
their respective second opening 632-1, 632-2 to releasably join the cushion
604-1, 604-2 and the
axle assemblies 606-1 and 606-2 to the first mounting bracket 618-1 and the
second mounting
bracket 618-2, respectively.
[068] The truck assembly 609 also includes a socket 615 that can receive a
toe stop and
hold the toe stop through the use of a set bolt 621, where the set bolt 621
reversibly clamps the
toe stop to the truck assembly 609. The truck assembly 609 further includes
surfaces 636-1 and
636-2 that define mounting openings 638-1 and 638-2 through the mounting plate
602.
Fasteners, as discussed herein, can pass at least partially through the
mounting openings 638-1
and 638-2 to allow the mounting plate 602 to be secured to a boot of a roller
skate.
[069) The truck assembly 609 can be used with a variety of devices.
Examples of such.
devices include, but are not limited to, roller skates and skateboards, among
others. The truck
assembly 609 can be mounted to the roller skate or skateboard with fasteners
(e.g., bolts or
screws) that pass through the mounting openings 638 of the mounting plate 602.
When bolts are
used as the fastener, a nut and washer can be used to secure the truck
assembly 609 to the device
(e.g., roller skate and/or skateboard).
[070] Referring now to Figure 8, there is illustrated an additional
embodiment of a truck
assembly 109 of the present disclosure. The truck assembly 109 includes the
first mounting
bracket 118-1, as discussed herein, and a second mounting bracket 118-2 on the
mounting plate
113. As with the first mounting bracket 118-1, the second mounting bracket 118-
2 includes the
same structures, such as a first arm 120-2, a second arm 122-2 and a ridge 124-
2 (seen in Figure
9), as discussed herein. As illustrated in Figure 9, the second mounting
bracket 118-2 includes a
first surface 126-2 defining a first opening 128-2 through the first arm 120-
2, and a second
surface 130-2 defining a second opening 132-2 in the second arm 122-2. The
first opening 128-2
and the second opening 132-2 of the second mounting bracket 118-2 share a
rotation axis 134-2.
The ridge 124-2 extends parallel with the rotation axis 134-2 at least
partially between the first
arm 120-2 and the second arm 122-2. The rotation axis 134-1 of the first
mounting bracket 118-
1 and the rotation axis 134-2 of the second mounting bracket 118-2 can
intersect at an angle of
approximately ninety degrees.
[071] The truck assembly 109 further includes cushions 104-1 and 104-2, as
discussed
herein. As discussed, the notch of the cushions 104-1 and 104-2 can receive
and seat each of the
17
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
BCH Dkt# 250.0040003
ridges 124-1 and 124-2, respectively, of the mounting brackets 118-1 and 118-
2, and together the
concave segments and at least a portion of the first arms 120-1 and 120-2 and
the second arms
122-1 and 122-2 define each respective socket.
[072] The truck assembly 109 also includes axle assemblies 106-1 and 106-
2, as
discussed herein, each having the first wheel shaft 154-1, 154-2, the second
wheel shaft 156-1
and 156-2 and the truck support 158-1, 158-2. As with the truck support 158-1,
there is a surface
defining an opening through the truck support 158-2 that is coaxial with the
rotation axis 134-2
of the second mounting bracket 118-2.
= [073]
The truck assembly 109 further includes swing pins 108-1 and 108-2. Each of
the =
swing pins 108-1 and 108-2 passes through their respective the first openings
128-1, 128-2:the
.opening through their respective truck support 158-1, 158-2 and at least
partially through each of
their respective second opening 132-1,132-2 to releasably join the cushion 104-
1, 104-2 and the .
axle assemblies 106-1 and 106-2 to the first mounting bracket 118-1 and the
second mounting
bracket, respectively. The truck assembly 109 further includes first
adjustment members 110-1,
110-2, second adjustment members 112-1, 112-2, first adjustment nuts 114-1,
114-2, and second
adjustment nuts 116-1, 116-2, as discussed herein.
[074] The truck assembly 109 also includes a socket 115 that can receive a
toe stop 117
and hold the toe stop 117 through the use of a set bolt 121, where the set
bolt 121 reversibly
clamps the toe stop 117 to the truck assembly 109. The truck assembly 109
further includes =
surfaces 136-1 and 136-2 that define mounting openings 138-1 and 138-2 through
the mounting
plate 113. Fasteners, as discussed herein, can pass at least partially through
the mounting
openings 138-1 and 138-2 to allow the mounting plate 113 to be secured to a
boot of a roller
skate.
[075] Figure 10 provides an illustration of a roller-skate 151 that
includes a boot 153
having a sole 155, and the mounting plate 113 of the truck assembly 109
secured to the sole 155
of the boot 153. As illustrated, a wheel 157 can be mounted on each of the
first wheel shaft and
the second wheel shaft. In an additional embodiment, the mounting plate 613 of
the truck
assembly 609 can be secured to the sole 155 of the roller-skate 151 boot 153.
[076] The truck assembly of the present disclosure can be formed from a
number of
different materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited
to metals, metal
alloys, and combinations thereof. Examples of metals include, but are not
limited to, aluminum
18
CA 02841684 2014-02-06
= =
BCH Dkttt 25-0.0040003
and titanium, among others. Examples of metal alloys include, but are not
limited to, steel (e.g.,
stainless steel), alloys of aluminum such as 7075 aluminum (among others), and
alloys of
titanium. Many of the components of the truck assembly of the present
disclosure can be
machined using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool, which can be
controlled by
computer-aided design (CAD) and/or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
programs.
[077] It is to be understood that the above description has been
made in an illustrative
fashion and not a restrictive one. Although specific examples for devices and
methods have been
illustrated and described herein, other equivalent component arrangements
and/or structures
conducive to the truck assembly can be substituted for the specific examples
shown herein. For
example, an axel assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
can be
configured in such away that the 'adjustment members" as discussed herein are
non-adjustable.
(e.g., fixed). In one embodiment, the truck support and the cushion arms of
the axel assembly
can be machined from a single piece of material (e.g. metal alloy). A shaft
can then be inserted
through an opening in the truck support/cushion arm structure to provide the
wheel shafts
discussed herein.
=
19
