Skateboard Elastic Strap Training System

This application is a continuation of international patent application No. PCT/US2024/035003, filed on Jun. 21, 2024, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/575,848, filed on Apr. 7, 2024, and to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/522,738 filed on Jun. 23, 2023; the entirety of all prior applications incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates a skateboard elastic strap training system that is detachably attachable to a skateboard to configure an elastic portion of the skateboard strap assembly along the deck of the board for a rider to place their feet under for improved control and lift of the skateboard.

People learning to ride a skateboard often have a hard time keeping their feet on the deck of the skateboard. Also, it is very difficult for many people to master lifting a skateboard or turning it as their feet are not attached to the skateboard.

A skateboard elastic strap training system utilizes a skateboard strap system that is detachably attachable to a skateboard to configure an elastic portion of the skateboard strap assembly along the deck of the board for a rider to place their feet under for improved control and lift of the skateboard.

A skateboard elastic strap training system may include a skateboard strap assembly comprising: a first assembly end and a second assembly end, and a length from said first assembly end to said second assembly end; an elastic sleeve forming an elastic strap, extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end and having a board side and a rider side; wherein the elastic sleeve forms an elastic band having a length that is at least four times greater than a width; a first retainer strap extending from the first sleeve end of the elastic sleeve and having a truck-coupler configured to couple with a first truck hanger, such as forming a first retainer loop; a first fastener attaching the first retainer strap to the elastic sleeve a first overlap distance from the first sleeve end; a second retainer strap extending from the second sleeve end of the elastic sleeve and having a truck-coupler configured to couple with a second truck hanger, such as forming a second retainer loop; a second fastener attaching the second retainer strap to the elastic sleeve a second overlap distance from the second sleeve end; wherein the second retainer strap extends into the retainer sleeve; a first non-elastic portion extending from the first fastener to the first assembly end; a second non-elastic portion extending from the second fastener to the second assembly end; and an elastic portion extending along the elastic band from the first fastener to the second fastener.

The skateboard strap portion of the skateboard strap assembly is configured to couple to the front and back truck hangers and extend over the deck of the skateboard. A truck-coupler of the skateboard strap assembly may be a retainer loop of the retainer strap that can be quickly configured around the truck hanger by passing the retainer loop over the wheels and around the truck hanger. A truck-coupler may be configured to detachably attach with a strap coupler that may be configured in a truck hanger or configured in a baseplate that is configured between the truck hanger and the deck of the skateboard. A truck-coupler may include teeth or prongs that insert into a strap coupler which may have a release to disengage the teeth or prongs from the strap coupler. A truck-coupler may include a side release buckle having prongs that flex inward toward each other and then engage with flanges of the strap coupler. The prongs can then be squeezed together to enable the side release buckle to be released. A portion of the side release buckle may be on the strap coupler as part of the truck-coupler or a baseplate and the other portion may be on the retainer strap.

The skateboard strap assembly may be detachably attachable to a skateboard with the first retainer loop extending around a first truck hanger proximal to a nose end of the skateboard and the second retainer loop extending around a second truck hanger proximal to a tail end of the skateboard and with the elastic portion extending over a deck of the skateboard. The first retainer strap and/or the second retainer strap may extend into the retainer sleeve.

The first retainer strap and second retainer strap may each be non-elastic and have no more than 10% elongation with a 4.5 kg force applied along a length of the retainer strap. Likewise, the first non-elastic portion and second non-elastic portion may each be non-elastic and having no more than a 10% elongation with a 4.5 kg force applied along a length of the skateboard strap assembly. The first retainer strap and second retainer strap may be woven straps such as nylon strap having a width that is about 1.cm or more, about 1.5 cm or more, about 2 cm or more, about 2.5 cm or more, about 3 cm or more, about 4 cm or more and any range between and including the width values provide. If too wide, then the retainer strap may be hard to configure between the bottom of the deck or baseplate and the truck hanger.

The elastic portion may be elastic having at least a 10% elongation, or at least 20% elongation with a 4.5 kg force applied along a length of the skateboard strap assembly.

The length of the skateboard strap assembly may be sized to extend along the deck of a skateboard and be secured around the opposing truck hangers and may have a length of about 90 cm of more, about 100 cm or more, about 110 cm or more, about 120 cm or more, about 130 cm or more and any range between and including the values provided. The width of the elastic sleeve portion of the skateboard strap assembly may be about 4 cm or more, about 6 cm or more, about 8 cm or more, about 10 cm or more, about 12 cm or less and any range between and including the values provided, such as about 5 cm to 6 cm. If the width is too wide it may fold and twist and if too narrow, it may be uncomfortable on a person's foot.

The length of the elastic portion of the skateboard strap assembly may have a length of about 40 cm or more, 50 cm or more, 60 cm or more, 70 cm or more, 80 cm or more and any range between and including the values provided such as from about 40 to 80 cm.

The length of the first retainer strap from the end of the first retainer loop to the first fastener and the length of the second retainer strap from the end of the second retainer loop to the second fastener may be about 25 cm or more, about 30 cm or more, about 45 cm or more and any range between and including the values provided.

The skateboard elastic strap training system may include a friction material, such as silicone or urethane or other rubber or elastomer material, configured on the board surface of the elastic sleeve proximal to both the first sleeve end and second sleeve end. The friction material may be a coating or layer applied to the elastic sleeve and may be continuous, such as a continuous coating layer or sheet of material or discontinuous, such as dots of coating applied thereon. The friction material may have high friction with a static coefficient of friction of about 0.8 μor more, about 1.0 μor more, about 1.5 μor more according to ISO 8295 when measured against glass. The friction material may extend no more than about 30 cm, no more than about 25 cm, no more than 20 cm, or no more than about 15 cm from the first sleeve end and second sleeve end. High friction along the entire length of the elastic sleeve may make it difficult to insert and remover a person's foot or feet.

The elastic sleeve may have lower static friction properties, such as no more than about 1.5 μ, no more than about 1.0 μto enable a person to safely pull their feet or foot out from under the elastic sleeve or elastic strap.

The first and second retainer straps may further comprise a strap length adjustment feature to change the length of the respective first and second retainer loops, such as a cleat or buckle, for example.

A skateboard elastic strap training system may have components that are detachable. The retainer straps may be detachable to the elastic sleeve, such as by a hook-and-loop fastener. The fastener may be hook-and-loop fastener configured on the elastic sleeve and on the retainer strap for coupling together. Also, the elastic sleeve may have different sections, an elastic portion that is detachable to the end sleeve portions, again by hook-and-loop fasteners. The end sleeve portions extend over the ends of the skateboard and may wear out more quickly and therefore may be changed out while retaining the elastic portion.

A skateboard elastic strap training system may include a cross-strap that is configured to retain the skateboard strap portion of the skateboard strap assembly down to the deck of the skateboard. The cross-strap may be detachably attachable to the skateboard and may have a cross-strap coupler from coupling a first end of the cross-strap to the second end or along the cross-strap to form a cross-strap loop around the deck of the skateboard. A cross-strap coupler may be a buckle or hook-and-loop fastener. The cross-strap may have a main extension strap and a receiver strap that forms a cross-strap receiver channel for the skateboard strap portion to extend therethrough. This cross-strap receiver channel may be positioned toward one edge or the other of the skateboard deck, or anywhere across the width of the deck in a desired position. The cross-strap receiver channel may be configured toward the edge of the board for insertion of the rider's feet and this may cause the elastic sleeve to extend more securely over the top of the rider's fee. Also, the cross-strap may be positioned along the length of the skateboard as desired to produce two channels between the skateboard strap portion and the deck of the skateboard. A cross-strap may be used to provide more stability and greater retention of a rider's fee to the skateboard, such as for training and/or for more advanced aerial maneuvers.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments including variations and alternative configurations of the invention are provided herein.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Some of the figures may not show all of the features and components of the invention for ease of illustration, but it is to be understood that where possible, features and components from one figure may be an included in the other figures. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations, and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the, a skateboard elastic strap training systemutilizes a skateboard strap assemblythat is detachably attachable to a skateboardto configure an elastic portionof the skateboard strap assembly along the deckof the skateboard for a riderto place their feet, front foot, back foot, thereunder for improved control and lift of the skateboard.

Referring to, a skateboardhas a deckextending from a nose endto a tail endand wheels,′ coupled to truck hangers,′ respectively. The length of a skateboard from the nose end to the tail end may be about 70 cm or more, about 75 cm or more, about 80 cm or more, about 85 cm or more or about 90 cm or less and any range between and including the length values provided, such as from about 70 cm to about 90 cm. A micro skateboard may be smaller and shorter in length such as about no more than about 80 cm, no more than about 70 cm, no more than about 65 cm or from about 60 to 80 cm and any other range between and including the length values provided. The truck hangers,′ are usually coupled to the wheel sideof the deckby baseplates,′ respectively. The deckhas a rider sidefor a rider to place their feet thereon and the deckextends a length axiscentrally along the deck from the nose endto the tail end.

Referring now to, an exemplary skateboard strap assemblyis configured on a skateboardwith a first assembly endhaving a retainer strapwith a retainer loopcoupled between the truck hanger, proximal to the nose end, and the deckand a second assembly endhaving a retainer strap′ with a retainer loop′ coupled between the truck hanger′, proximal to the tail end, and the deck. The elastic portionof the of the skateboard strap assemblyextends over the rider sideof the deckalong the length axisas shown in. Also, friction material,′ is configured on the board surfaceof the skateboard strap assemblyproximal to the ends of the elastic sleeve, as shown in, to more effectively retain the skateboard strap assemblyon the nose endand tail endof the skateboard. The retainer straps,′ each have a retainer loop,′ and a first extension,′ and second extension,′, respectively, that extend up into opposing ends of the elastic sleeve. Note that a single extension may be coupled with the retainer loop and extend up into the elastic sleeve.

As shown in, the skateboard strap portionof the skateboard strap assemblyis retained down to the deckof the skateboard by the cross-strap. The cross-strap may have a main extension strapand a receiver strapthat forms a cross-strap receiver channelfor the skateboard strap portion to extend therethrough. The cross-strap forms a cross-strap looparound the deckof the skateboard and may have a cross-strap coupler, such as a buckleto detach the cross-strap from the deck of the skateboard. As shown in, the cross-strap receiver channelis configured more proximal to the far edge of the deck of the skateboard than the near edge. Again, the position of the cross-strap receiver channel may be configured for more or less engagement over a rider's feet.

As shown in, the truck-couplers,′ are retainer loops,′, in the retainer strap,′ respectively. The retainer loops are looped around the truck hangers,′ to detachably attach the skateboard strap assemblythe skateboard. Also, the cross-strapextends around the skateboardto form a cross-strap loop. The main extension strap of the cross-strap extends along the wheel sideof the board and over the deck of the skateboard. The cross-strap is adjustable along the length of the deck of the skateboard or adjustable from the nose endto the tail end.

As shown in, a rideris utilizing the skateboard strap assemblyto help retain their front footand back footon the deckof a skateboardwith the elastic portionof the skateboard strap assembly extending over their feet to aid in tricks and maneuvers, wherein lifting their fee will lift the board. The elastic portion will elongate to enable the rider to quickly pull their fee out from under the skateboard strap assembly. The non-elastic portions,′ of the skateboard strap assemblyextend from the retainer loops up over the nose endand tail endof the skateboard, respectively. The elastic sleevehas a rider surfacethat faces up toward the skateboard rider and a board surfaceconfigured to face the deckof the skateboardwhen in use, as shown. The cross-strapof the skateboard strap assemblyis shown detached from the retainer strap and the skateboard. The cross-strap may have a main extension strapand a receiver strapthat forms a cross-strap receiver channelfor the skateboard strap portion to extend therethrough.

As shown in, the skateboard strap portionof the skateboard strap assemblyis retained down to the deckof the skateboard between the rider's feet by the cross-strap. The cross-strap may have a main extension strapand a receiver strapthat forms a cross-strap receiver channelfor the skateboard strap portion to extend therethrough. The cross-strap forms a cross-strap looparound the deckof the skateboard and may have a cross-strap couplerto detach the cross-strap from the deck of the skateboard.

Referring now to, an exemplary skateboard strap assemblyextends from a first assembly endto a second assembly endand has retainer straps,extending from both ends of the elastic sleeveand a friction material,′ configured proximal to both ends of the elastic sleeveand on a board surfaceof the elastic sleeve. The retainer straps,′ each extend a lengthfrom the respective retainer loop,′ to an extended end,′ that is configured up within the elastic sleevean overlap length, as shown in. The retainer straps,′are fastened to the elastic sleeveby a fastener,′. Also, the retainer strapsmay have two separate extensions, a first extension, and second extensionfrom the retainer loop, wherein the loop is formed by a loop in a monolith strap with the extensions extending up into the elastic sleeve. Non-elastic portions,of the skateboard strap assemblyare formed from where the retainer straps,′ are fastened to the elastic sleeveby a fastener′, to the end of the retainer loop,′ or assembly ends, first assembly end, and second assembly endrespectively. An elastic portionof the skateboard strap assemblyis formed between the two fasteners,′ or between the two non-elastic portions,′. The non-elastic portions ensure a better retainment of the retainer loop around the truck hanger while providing an elastic portion over the deck of the skateboard. The elastic portion is indicated by the bold double ended arrow along the length axisof the skateboard strap assembly. The friction materialmay extend from the ends of the elastic strap along the non-elastic portions up to the fasteners,′.

As shown in, the skateboard strap assemblyhas a lengthfrom first assembly endto a second assembly end. The elastic sleeveextends a lengthand has an elastic portionwith an elastic portion lengthbetween non-elastic portions,′ having the respective retainer straps,′ extending along these non-elastic portions to make these portions non-elastic along the length axisof the skateboard strap assembly. The retainer straps,′ each extend a respective overlap lengthfrom the respective ends of the elastic sleeve. This arrangement provides an elastic portioncentrally located along the elastic sleeve between non-elastic portions,′ configured on opposing ends of the elastic sleeve. The elastic portion lengthmay be about 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, or even 70% or more of the lengthof the elastic sleeve. The retainer straps,′ may extend within the elastic sleeve, between the rider surface and board surface of the elastic sleeve. Put another way, the sum of the overlap lengths of the two retainer straps along the elastic sleevemay be about 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, or even 70% or more of the lengthof the elastic sleeve. As described herein, having the elastic portionalong the center of the elastic sleeve provides an effective amount of stretch and elasticity for retaining the elastic strap over a rider's feet while providing the non-elastic portions that extend over the ends of the skateboard and to the coupled ends or extended end of the retainer strap, configured under the skateboard.

The elastic sleeveextends around the retainer strap. As described the retainer strap may have a first extensionand second extensionextending up into the elastic sleeve, as shown in. As described herein, a single extension of the retainer strapmay extend up into the elastic sleeve.

Referring to, the elastic sleeve has a widththat is greater than the widthof the retainer strap. The elastic sleeve may be wider than the retainer strap by a factor of 1.25 or more, about 1.5 or more, about 1.75 or more, about 2.0 or more, about 2.5 or more, about 3.0 or more or even 4.0 or more and any range between and including the values provided, such as from a factor of 1.5 to about 4.0. A wider elastic strap is important for comfort and reliable retention over a rider's feet and a more narrow retainer strap is easier to configure under the skateboard and retain around the truck hanger or to the strap coupler.

The elastic sleevehas a board componentconfigured to extend over and face the deck of the skateboard when attached to the skateboard and a rider componentconfigured up or facing the rider when attached to the skateboard and in use. Each of the board componentand rider componentare elastic, as defined herein, and may be coupled together by sleeve connections, and/or′ on opposing sides of the elastic sleeve. An edge material,′ may be configured over or around the sleeve connections,′, respectively to protect the sleeve connections. The sleeve connections may be a sewn seams and the edge material may extend over the sewn edge. Also, an elastic sleeve may include a covering material,such as a fabric that extends over the board componentand rider componentand may be attached to the respective board componentand rider component. In an exemplary embodiment, the board componentand rider componentare an elastic fabric.

As shown in, the elastic sleeve forms a planar elastic bandthat is planar, wherein the elastic band has a widththat is at least four times the thicknessand preferably eight or ten times the thickness. Also, the elastic sleeve forms a planar elastic bandwith the board componentextending substantially parallel, withindegrees, with the rider component. The board componentand rider componentmay be sheets of fabric.

Referring now to, an exemplary skateboard strap assemblyis configured with the elastic sleeveretracted along the retainer straps,′ on both the first sleeve endand second sleeve endto expose greater portion of the retainer strap. The elastic sleeve may extend around the retainer strap and be attached to the retainer strap by only the fastener, configured proximal to the extended end of the retainer strap. The retainer strap may extend into the elastic sleeve to the extended end where the retainer strap is fastened to the elastic sleeve by the fastener, such as stitching t the elastic sleeve.

As shown in, the retainer loopis enlarged to enable the retainer loop to extend around the truck hanger to detachably attach the first assembly endof the skateboard strap assemblyto the skateboard. Retracting the elastic sleeve enables enlargement of the retainer loop for this purpose and after looping the retainer looparound the truck hanger, the elastic sleevewill extend back down along the retainer strap.

As shown in, the exemplary skateboard strap assemblyis configured with the elastic sleeveretracted along the retainer strapon the first assembly endto expose a strap length adjustment feature, such as a cleat or buckle. A user may retract the elastic sleeve and the expand the retainer loopto extend it around the truck hanger of a skateboard and then tighten the retainer loop around the truck hanger, between the deck and truck hanger extensions to the wheels.

As shown in, a skateboard strap assemblyis configured with the elastic sleeve, which forms the elastic portion of the skateboard strap assembly detached from the retainer straps,′ which form the non-elastic portions,′ of the skateboard strap assembly. Each of the retainer straps,′ have a truck-coupler,′ configured to couple with a truck hanger. The elastic portionhas sleeve-strap fasteners,′ configured to detachably attach with the respective fasteners,′ of the retainer straps,′, respectively. As described herein the fasteners may be hook-and-loop fasteners, or clips, or buckles and the like. The non-elastic portion has truck-couplers,′, the retainer loops,′ on the opposing end from the fasteners,′. The sleeve-strap fasteners,′ may be configured within the elastic sleeveto protect the connection of the fasteners,′ to the sleeve-strap fasteners.

Referring now to, an exemplary truck-coupler, may include coupler teethor other fastener, configured to couple with a strap coupler, such as by insertion into the strap coupler. As shown in, the strap coupleris configured in the baseplatebut may be an integral part of the truck hangeror separate component attached to the deckof the skateboard. As shown in, the truck-coupler, on the truck-coupler endof a non-elastic portionis being coupled to the strap couplerby insertion into said strap coupler. As shown in, a truck-couplermay comprise a buckle, such as a side release bucklethat has one portion of the buckle coupled to the retainer strapand the other portion coupled to the truck hanger such as to a baseplatebetween the truck hanger and the deck of the skateboard. A side release buckle has an insertion componentwith prongs that are forced inward, toward each other, by the receiver componentand then snap outward to engage with a flange of the receiver component. The side release buckle can be release by pushing the two prongs inward and pulling away from the receiver component.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.