Skateboard Truck

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/141,802 entitled, “Skateboard Truck,” filed May 1, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/473,235 entitled, “Skateboard Truck,” filed Sep. 13, 2021 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,673,040), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/549,075 entitled, “Skateboard Truck,” filed Aug. 23, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,117,043), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/341,868 entitled, “Skateboard Truck,” filed Nov. 2, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,391,384), which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/249,662 entitled, “Skateboard Truck,” filed Nov. 2, 2015, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to the trucks of a skateboard, and more particularly, to a skateboard truck with improved ride characteristics and control thereof.

Skateboards are a known means of activity and transportation. Skateboards generally include a deck, a pair of trucks, and a set of bearings and wheels. In some instances, a skateboard can be designed to have a particular set of riding characteristics, designed for a particular riding style, and/or designed for other predetermined functions. For example, a longboard is commonly used as a means of transportation or for “cruising” due at least in part to the fluidity of motion. In some instances, the arrangement of the trucks and/or the manner in which the trucks are mounted to the deck can similarly result in differences in ride characteristics. For example, in some instances, trucks can be mounted to the bottom surface of a deck and can be configured so that wheels to spin freely without contacting the bottom surface of the deck. In other instances, trucks can be coupled to the top surface of a deck and can be configured to “drop through” an opening in the deck. In some instances, such “top-mounted” trucks, for example, can have a lower center of gravity relative to “bottom-mounted” trucks, which can result in different ride characteristics. While the design of some known trucks can be associated with a particular set of riding characteristic, riders may have or may develop personal preferences in ride characteristics. Some known trucks, however, are limited in an amount of adjustment in the truck's ride characteristics available to a user.

Thus, a need exists for improved devices and methods for adjusting the ride characteristics of a truck (e.g., a skateboard truck).

Devices and methods for adjusting the ride characteristics of a truck (e.g., a skateboard truck) are described herein. In some embodiments, a truck includes a base plate, a hanger, a kingpin, and a bushing assembly. The base plate includes a coupling portion coupled to the kingpin and a contact portion. The hanger is rotatably disposed about a portion the kingpin to rotatably couple the hanger to the base plate. The bushing assembly includes at least one bushing disposed in a recess of the contact portion and in contact with the hanger and a bushing adjustment coupled to at least one of the base plate or the hanger. The bushing adjustment is configured to selectively engage the at least one bushing to transition the bushing assembly between a first configuration in which the at least one bushing exerts a first force in response to rotation of the hanger and a second configuration in which the at least one bushing exerts a second force different from the first force in response to rotation of the hanger.

In some embodiments, a truck includes a base plate, a hanger, a kingpin, and a bushing assembly. The base plate includes a coupling portion coupled to the kingpin and a contact portion. The hanger is rotatably disposed about a portion the kingpin to rotatably couple the hanger to the base plate. The bushing assembly includes at least one bushing disposed in a recess of the contact portion and in contact with the hanger and a bushing adjustment coupled to at least one of the base plate or the hanger. The bushing adjustment is configured to selectively engage the at least one bushing to transition the bushing assembly between a first configuration in which the at least one bushing exerts a first force in response to rotation of the hanger and a second configuration in which the at least one bushing exerts a second force different from the first force in response to rotation of the hanger.

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a member” is intended to mean a single member or a combination of members, “a material” is intended to mean one or more materials, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “set” can refer to multiple features or a singular feature with multiple parts. For example, when referring to a set of walls, the set of walls can be considered as one wall with multiple portions, or the set of walls can be considered as multiple, distinct walls. Thus, a monolithically constructed item can include a set of walls. Such a set of walls may include multiple portions that are either continuous or discontinuous from each other. A set of walls can also be fabricated from multiple items that are produced separately and are later joined together (e.g., via a weld, an adhesive, or any suitable method).

As used herein, the term “perpendicular” generally describes a relationship between two geometric constructions (e.g., two lines, two planes, a line and a plane, or the like) in which the two geometric constructions are disposed at substantially 90°. For example, a line is said to be perpendicular to another line when the lines intersect at an angle substantially equal to 90°. Similarly, when a planar surface (e.g., a two dimensional surface) is said to be perpendicular to another planar surface, the planar surfaces are disposed at substantially 90° as the planar surfaces extend to infinity.

In general, known trucks often include a hanger that is pivotably coupled to a base plate via, for example, a kingpin. To control and/or adjust a pivoting motion of the hanger relative to the base plate, such trucks include at least one bushing that is disposed about the kingpin and in contact with at least a surface of the hanger. In this manner, loading of the at least one bushing (e.g., exerting a compression and/or otherwise increasing an internal stress within the at least one bushing) results in the bushing limiting the pivoting motion of the hanger relative to the base. Thus, increasing or decreasing a force (load) applied to the at least one bushing allows a user to control some of the ride and/or turning characteristics of the truck. The control of these characteristics in such trucks, however, is limited.

The embodiments described herein relate to trucks (e.g., skateboard trucks, roller skate trucks, etc.) with improved ride and/or turning characteristics. As described in further detail herein, the trucks can include a hanger that is disposed about a kingpin, which in turn, is coupled to a base plate. Such an arrangement allows, inter alia, a rotational relationship and/or coupling of the hanger to the base plate rather than a pivoting relationship and/or coupling to the base plate. That is to say, the embodiments described herein include a kingpin that is coupled to the base and that defines a longitudinal axis about which the hanger rotates. Moreover, the embodiments described herein include bushing assemblies that control the rotation of the hanger about the kingpin without disposing one or more bushingsabout the kingpin.

is a schematic illustration of a truckaccording to an embodiment. The truckcan be any suitable truck configured to be used with and/or otherwise coupled to a skateboard, roller skate, or the like. In some embodiments, for example, the truckcan be a bottom-mounted skateboard truck. That is to say, in such embodiments, a surface of the truckcan be placed in contact with a bottom surface of a skateboard deck (not shown in). In other embodiments, the truckcan be a top-mounted or drop-through skateboard truck in which a surface of the truck is in contact with a top surface of a skateboard deck. Moreover, the truckcan be coupled to any suitable skateboard (e.g., a longboard, street board, downhill board, etc.).

The truckincludes a base plate, a hanger, a bushing assembly, and a kingpin. As described in further detail herein with respect to specific embodiments, the base plateis configured to be coupled to a skateboard deck or the like to couple the truckthereto. The base platecan be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the base platecan include a coupling portion or the like configured to engage, contact, and/or couple to the hanger, the bushing assembly, and/or the kingpin.

The kingpin) can be any suitable pin, bolt, or fastener operable in movably coupling and/or rotatably coupling the hangerto the base plate. For example, in some embodiments, the kingpinis a bolt or the like that is coupled to the base plateand that is maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the base plate(e.g., via a mechanical fastener such as a nut). Moreover, a portion of the kingpinis rotatably disposed within a portion of the hangerand thus, when the kingpinis coupled to the base plate, the hangeris rotatably coupled to the base plate. In some embodiments, the kingpincan be substantially similar to conventional kingpins used in, for example, bottom-surface mounted trucks, and thus, is not described in further detail herein.

Although not shown in, in some embodiments, the kingpincan be included in a kingpin assembly or the like. In such embodiments, for example, a kingpin assembly can include a kingpin (such as the kingpin), at least one bearing, and a damper. The bearing can be, for example, a pin bearing, a ball bearing, and/or the like. The bearing can be disposed about a portion of the kingpin and can be configured to be inserted into an opening of the hanger. In such arrangements, the bearing can contact an inner surface of the hanger defining the opening and an outer surface of the portion of the kingpin. Thus, the bearing can be configured to facilitate a rotation of the hanger about the kingpin, as described in further detail herein. The damper can be, for example, an elastomeric member or the like disposed about the kingpin and in contact (at least indirectly) with a portion of the hanger and a portion of the base plate. In such arrangements, the damper can be configured to, inter alia, absorb a force associated with a relative movement between the base plate and the hanger, as described in further detail herein.

The hangercan be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. As described above, the hangeris configured to be coupled to the kingpin, which in turn, couples the hangerto the base plate. More particularly, the hangeris rotatably disposed about the kingpinand, as such, is rotatably coupled to the base platewhen the kingpinis coupled thereto. Although not shown in, in some embodiments, a portion of the hangercan be inserted into and/or otherwise coupled to a portion of the base plateor vice versa. As described in further detail herein, the hangercan include a contact portion or surface configured to engage (at least indirectly) a portion of the bushing assembly.

The bushing assemblyincludes at least one bushingand a bushing adjustment mechanism. As shown in, the bushing assemblyis at least partially disposed between the base plateand the hanger. In some embodiments, for example, the bushing assemblycan be disposed in a position between the base plateand the hangersuch that the bushing(s)is/are in contact with a surface of the base plateand/or a surface of the hanger. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the bushing assemblycan place the bushing(s)in direct contact with a surface of the base plateand/or a surface of the hanger. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the bushing assemblycan be such that the bushing(s)is/are indirectly in contact with and/or otherwise operably coupled to the surface of the base plateand/or the surface of the hanger. For example, although not shown in, the bushing(s)can be disposed on and/or otherwise in contact with an intervening structure (e.g., the bushing adjustment mechanism), which in turn, is in contact with and/or otherwise operably coupled to the surface of the base plateand/or the surface of the hanger. As described in further detail herein, the positioning of at least a portion of the bushing assemblybetween the base plateand the hangercan be operative in controlling a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinand relative to the base plate.

The bushing(s)can be any suitable bushing or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the bushing(s)can be formed from one or more elastomeric materials and can be configured to absorb and/or otherwise elastically deform in response to an applied force. Such elastomeric materials can be and/or can include, for example, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, rubber, and/or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the shape, size, and/or constituent material of the bushingcan be associated with a desired amount of deformation in response to a force. For example, forming the bushingfrom an elastomeric material with a relatively high hardness or durometer can result in an amount of deformation that is less than an amount of deformation of a bushing formed of an elastomeric material with a relatively low hardness or durometer under substantially the same force. As described in further detail herein, the bushing(s)can be configured to exert a reaction force in response to a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinand relative to the base plate. In other words, rotation of the hangercan be associated with and/or at least partially dependent on an amount of deformation of the bushing(s).

In some embodiments, the bushing assemblycan include a first bushingdisposed, for example, on a first side of the kingpinand in contact with a surface of the base plateand a surface of the hanger, and a second bushingdisposed, for example, on a second side of the kingpinand in contact with a surface of the base plateand a surface of the hanger. In this manner, rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin(e.g., relative to the base plate) in a first direction can, for example, exert a first force on the first bushing, while rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinin a second direction can, for example, exert a second force on the second bushing. In other embodiments, the bushing assemblycan include any number of bushings. For example, in some embodiments, a bushing assembly can include one bushing with a first portion disposed on a first side of a kingpin and a second portion disposed on a second side of the kingpin. In other embodiments, the bushing assemblycan include more than two bushings(e.g., three, four, five, six, or more). As described in further detail herein, the arrangement and/or configuration of the one or more bushingscan be operative to controlling a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin.

The bushing adjustment mechanismof the bushing assemblycan be any suitable configuration and/or can have any suitable arrangement. In some embodiments, the bushing adjustment mechanismis movably and/or adjustably coupled to the base plate, the hanger, or both the base plateand the hanger. As such, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan be moved relative to the base plateand/or hangerto selectively engage, adjust, and/or move at least a portion of the bushingrelative to the base plateand/or hanger.

In some embodiments, for example, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan be and/or can include a plate or the like that is coupled to and/or otherwise in contact with the bushingand configured to be moved relative to the base plateand/or the hangerto move the bushingrelative to the base plateand/or hanger. For example, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan be moved in a transverse direction relative to the base plateand/or hanger. The bushing, in turn, is moved in the transverse direction, for example, from a first position (e.g., an inward position and/or a position otherwise closer to, for example, the kingpin) to a second position (e.g., an outward position and/or a position otherwise farther from the kingpin).

In other embodiments, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan be moved relative to the base plateand/or the hangerto place the bushingin a position farther away from or closer to, for example, the base plate, which can, for example, compress or decompress (e.g., load or unload) the bushing. More particularly, the bushingcan be disposed between the bushing adjustment mechanismand, for example, a surface of the hangersuch that movement the bushing adjustment mechanismcloser to or away from the base plateincreases or decreases a space between the bushing adjustment mechanismand the surface of the hanger, which in turn, decreases or increases, respectively, a compressive force exerted on the bushing.

In still other embodiments, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan include a first member forming a threaded coupling with, for example, the base plateand a second member forming a threaded coupling with the base plate. In such embodiments, the first member and the second member can be disposed on opposite sides of the bushingand each can include a surface that is configured to engage an associated portion of the bushing. Therefore, the first member and the second member each can be advanced along its associated threads of the base platesuch that the surfaces of the first member and the second member exert an opposing force on the bushing, which in turn, increases an amount of internal stress within the bushing. The increase in the internal stresses within the bushingis operative in decreasing an amount of deformation of the bushingin response to a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinand thus, allows a user to limit and/or otherwise control the rotation of the hangerrelative to the base plate, as described in further detail herein.

While described as exerting an opposing force on a single bushing, in other embodiments, the bushing adjustment mechanismcan include two or more bushings(as described above). In such embodiments, the first member can exert a force on a first side of a first bushingand a portion of the base plate(e.g., a protrusion, rib, wall, and/or other surface) can exert an opposing force on a substantially opposite side of the first bushing. Thus, opposing forces exerted on opposite sides of the first bushingincrease an internal stress within the first bushingas the first member advances along the threads of the base plate. Similarly, the second member can exert a force on a first side of a second bushingand the portion of the base platecan exert an opposing force on a substantially opposite side of the second bushing. Therefore, adjusting the position of the first member and the second member relative to the base plateresults in a change of internal stress within the first bushingand the second bushing, respectively, which in turn, allows a user to limit and/or otherwise control the rotation of the hangerrelative to the base plate.

illustrate a truckaccording to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the truckcan be included in, for example, a skateboard, roller skate, and/or the like (not shown). In general, a skateboard, roller skate, etc. will include a pair of the trucks(e.g., a “front” truck and a “rear” truck). The truckshown and described herein with reference tocan be mounted to either end of a skateboard, roller skate, or the like. Therefore, a discussion of the truckapplies to a second truck not shown in, each of which can be coupled to, for example, a skateboard deck to collectively form a portion of a skateboard.

As shown in, the truckincludes a base plate, a hanger, a bushing assembly, and a kingpin. The base plateof the truckcan be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. As shown in, the base platehas a first surfaceand a second surfaceand includes and/or otherwise forms a coupling portion. The first surfaceof the base plateis configured to be mounted, for example, to a bottom surface of a skateboard deck or the like, thereby positioning the hangerbeneath the bottom surface of the deck when coupled thereto. The mechanics of coupling the truckto the deck of a skateboard using bolts, screws, etc. can be similar to known bottom-mounted skateboard configurations, and thus, is not described in further detail herein.

As shown in, the coupling portionof the base plateextends from the second surfaceof the base plateand includes a first couplerand a second coupler. The first couplerand the second couplereach define an openingand, respectively, configured to receive a different portion of the kingpin(see e.g.,). The arrangement of the first couplerand the second coupleris such that the openingsand, respectively, collectively define an axis Athat is disposed at an angle relative to the first surfaceof the base plate, as shown in. For example, in some embodiments, the axis Acan be disposed at an angle relative to the first surfaceequal to at about 30°, about 40°, about 45°, about 50°, about 60°, or any other suitable angle or fraction thereof. Moreover, as shown in, the first coupler(or an inner surface thereof) can be disposed at a distance Dfrom the second coupler(or an inner surface thereof). The distance Dcan be any suitable distance that is sufficient to receive at least a portion of the hanger. In this manner, the first couplerand the second couplerare configured to be at least operably coupled to and/or otherwise configured to engage the kingpinand the hanger, as described in further detail herein.

As shown in, the coupling portionincludes and/or otherwise forms a recessed surfaceand a rib, each of which extend between the first couplerand the second coupler(e.g., extend a distance substantially equal to D). The ribis substantially centered along a width of the recessed surfaceand, for example, is configured to provide structural rigidity for the first coupler, the second coupler, and/or the coupling portion. In some embodiments, the ribcan be configured to engage a portion of the bushing assemblyto control a movement of at least a portion of the bushing assembly.

The recessed surfacedefines a set of transverse slots. More particularly, the recessed surfacedefines a first transverse sloton a first side of the riband a second transverse sloton a side of the ribopposite the first side. As described in further detail herein, the slots are configured to movably receive a portion of the bushing assembly.

As shown in, the base platedefines an openingand a boreA. The openingis configured to receive an adjustment pinincluded in the bushing assembly. The boreA is configured to receive a setscrewor the like that can be advanced within the boreA to be disposed in a desired position relative to the adjustment pin, as described in further detail herein.

The hangerof the truckcan be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. As shown in, the hangerdefines a slotand apertureand includes and/or forms a contact portionand a pair of axles. The slotdefined by the hangeris configured to receive a portion of the first coupler(see e.g.,). The aperturedefined by the hangeris configured to receive a portion of the kingpin. The contact portionof the hangercan be any suitable configuration. For example, as shown in, the contact portionis a substantially flat flange or the like that extends along a width of the hanger. The contact portionis configured to be in contact with a portion of the bushing assembly. This arrangement of the hanger, base plate, kingpinand bushing assemblyof the truckis such that the kingpincouples the hangerto the base plateand defines an axis about which the hangercan rotate. Moreover, with the contact portionof the hangerin contact with the portion of the bushing assembly, the bushing assemblycan be configured to selectively absorb, dampen, and/or otherwise mitigate a force associated with the rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin, as described in further detail herein.

The axlesof the hangerare coupled to opposite lateral sides of the hangerand are each configured to be coupled to and/or otherwise be disposed within an associated wheel (not shown). The coupling of the wheels to the axlescan be substantially similar to known methods of coupling wheels to axles and thus, is not described in further detail herein. In this embodiment, each axleis independently coupled to its associated side of the hanger. In other words, the axlesare independent axles rather than a single continuous axle that extends through the width of the hanger. In some embodiments, each axlecan be coupled to its associated side via a threaded coupling or the like (see e.g.,). In other embodiments, the axlescan be an integrated portion of the hanger(e.g., formed via a single casting or the like, over-molded, and/or otherwise fixedly coupled to hanger).

In some embodiments, independently coupling (or forming) each axleto its associated side of the hangerrather than including a single or rod extending through the width of the hanger, for example, can reduce the weight of the truck. In addition, the independent coupling of each axleis such that the slotand the apertureare substantially unobstructed by a portion of an axle that would otherwise be present with a monolithic axle. Thus, the portion of the first couplerof the base platecan be positioned within the slotand the portion of the kingpincan be disposed in the aperture(as described above) without obstruction that would otherwise inhibit the coupling of the hangerto the base plateand/or rotation of the hangerrelative to the base plate.

The kingpincan be any suitable pin, bolt, or fastener operable in movably coupling the hangerto the base plate. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in, the kingpinis a bolt or the like that is configured to engage, receive, and/or couple to a nutto be rigidly coupled to the base plate(see e.g.,). In some embodiments, the kingpin) can be substantially similar to conventional kingpins used in, for example, bottom-surface mounted trucks. Unlike conventional configurations, however, the hangeris disposed about the kingpinvia a bearing connection or the like. For example, as shown in, the apertureof the hangeris configured to receive an inner sleeveand a bearing(e.g., a pin bearing or the like), which in turn, is configured to receive a portion of the kingpin. As such, the hangercan rotate about the axis defined by the kingpin. Moreover, by disposing the bearingbetween the hanger) and the kingpin, the hangercan rotate about the axis with less friction than arrangements otherwise not including a bearing.

As shown in, a damperis configured to be disposed about a portion of the kingpinand between, for example, a surface of the bearingand a surface of the second couplerof the base plate(or a washer in contact therewith). The dampercan be configured to dampen and/or otherwise alter forces such as friction forces, axial forces (in the direction of the axis defined by the kingpin), and/or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the dampercan be configured to limit and/or substantially prevent binding between the bearingand/or hangerand the second couplerof the base plate. In other embodiments, the dampercan increase a friction force exerted in response to a rotation of the hangerrelative to the base plate. In this manner, the dampercan be configured to tune, adjust, and/or at least partially control one or more characteristics associated with movement of the hangerrelative to the base plate.

The bushing assemblycan be any suitable assembly, mechanism, and/or member configured to selectively engage a portion of the base plateand the hangerto control movement of the hangerrelative to the base plate. As shown, for example, in, in this embodiment, the bushing assemblyincludes two bushingsand a bushing adjustment mechanism. The bushing assemblyis at least partially disposed between the base plateand the hanger(see e.g.,) such that the bushingsare in contact with at least the contact portionof the hangerand the bushing adjustment mechanismis in contact with the base plate. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the bushing assemblycan be such that the bushing adjustment mechanismis contact with a surface of the base plateand/or a surface of the hanger. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the bushing assemblycan be such that the bushings are in contact with and/or otherwise operably coupled to the surface of the base plateand/or the surface of the hanger. As described in further detail herein, the positioning of at least a portion of the bushing assemblybetween the base plateand the hangercan be operative in controlling a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinand relative to the base plate.

As described above, the bushing assemblyincludes two bushings. The arrangement of the bushing assemblyis such that a first bushingis disposed on a first side of the kingpinand in contact with the contact portionof the hanger, and a second bushingis disposed on a second side of the kingpinand in contact with the contact portionof the hanger. In this manner, rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin(e.g., relative to the base plate) in a first direction can, for example, exert a first force on the first bushing, while rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinin a second direction can, for example, exert a second force on the second bushing, as described in further detail herein.

The bushingscan be any suitable bushing or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the bushingscan be formed from one or more elastomeric materials and can be configured to absorb and/or otherwise elastically deform in response to an applied force, as described above with reference to the bushingsin. As such, the shape, size, and/or constituent material of the bushingscan be associated with and/or otherwise selected to produce a desired amount of deformation in response to a force. As described in further detail herein, the bushingscan be configured to exert a reaction force in response to a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpinand relative to the base plate. In other words, rotation of the hangercan be associated with and/or at least partially dependent on an amount of deformation of the bushings.

The bushing adjustment mechanismof the bushing assemblycan be any suitable configuration and/or can have any suitable arrangement. As shown in, the bushing adjustment mechanismincludes two bushing plates, an adjustment pin, and a setscrew. Each of the bushing platesincludes a recessed surfaceA and defines an openingand a set of channels. The recessed surfaceA of each bushing plateis configured to receive and/or otherwise is configured to be coupled to a portion of one of the bushings. In some embodiments, the portion of each bushingcan form a friction fit with the recessed surfaceA to be coupled to its associated bushing plate. In other embodiments, each bushingcan be coupled to its associated bushing platevia an adhesive, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), and/or the like.

As shown in, the bushing adjustment mechanismis movably and/or adjustably coupled, for example, to the recessed surfaceof the base plate. For example, in this embodiment, each bushing plateis inserted into its associated slotdefined by the base plate. The arrangement of the bushing platesis such that as each bushing plateis inserted into its associated slot, a portion of the recessed surfaceof the base plateis inserted into the channelsdefined by that bushing plate. As such, the bushing platescan be moved in a transverse direction within the slotbetween, for example, a first position (e.g., an inward position and/or a position otherwise closer to, for example, the kingpin) to a second position (e.g., an outward position and/or a position otherwise farther from the kingpin). Moreover, in some embodiments, the ribof the base platecan limit and/or otherwise define a range of inward movement of the bushing platesrelative to the base plate. Similarly, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the ribcan substantially limit an amount of deformation of the bushingsin an inward direction (e.g., toward a center of the rib). As such, the ribcan substantially limit and/or prevent an undesired response of the bushing assemblythat would otherwise result from a force associated with the rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin.

The adjustment pinof the bushing assemblymovably couples the bushing platesto the base plate. For example, in this embodiment, the adjustment pinis configured to be inserted into the openingof each bushing plateand the openingof the base plate, as shown in. The adjustment pincan be any suitable pin or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the adjustment pincan be an adjustment screw or the like with one or more threaded couplings configured to allow a length of the adjustment screw to be extended. In some embodiments, the adjustment pincan be self-centering such that a length of the adjustment pinis increased by concurrently moving opposite end portions of the adjustment pinaway from a center hub or the like of the adjustment pin. In other embodiments, the adjustment pincan be any suitable pin, screw, bolt, toggle, pinion, etc. configured to adjustably couple the bushing platesto the base plate.

The adjustment pindefines a channelconfigured to receive a portion of the setscrew(see e.g.,). Thus, when a portion of the adjustment pinis disposed in the openingdefined by the base plate, the setscrewcan be positioned within the boreA such that at least an end portion of the setscrewis disposed within the channelof the adjustment pin(see e.g.,). As such, a first portion of the adjustment pincan be maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the base platewhile a second portion (e.g., one or more adjustment portions) can move relative to the base plate, as indicated by the arrow AA in. Although not shown in, the adjustment pincan include any suitable collar, rim, protrusion, and/or the like that can engage a surface of the bushing platessuch that adjustment of the adjustment pin(e.g., movement of such adjustment portions) results in movement of the bushing platesrelative to the base plate. As such, a user can adjust the adjustment pinto move each bushing platein a transverse direction within and/or along its associated slotdefined by the base plate, which in turn, moves the bushingsin the transverse direction relative, for example, to the contact portionof the hanger, as indicated by the arrows BB in.

As described above, the bushingsare in contact with the contact portionof the hanger) and are configured to exert a reaction force and/or deform in response to a force associated with a rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin. In some instances, the amount of the reaction force exerted by the bushingsand/or the amount of deformation of the bushingscan be associated with and/or can be a function of the transverse position of the bushings. In other words, the amount of rotation of the hangerabout the kingpin) can be associated with and/or dependent on the transverse position of the bushings.

For example, in use, a user can exert a force on a skateboard deck, roller skate, or the like that is sufficient to rotate the hangerabout the kingpin. Therefore, when wheels are coupled to the axles, the force exerted by the user rotates the hangerabout the kingpinwith an amount of torque that is dependent on a distance between the point at which the force is applied and the axis about which the hangerrotates. Accordingly, the force exerted on the bushings(as a component of the torque) is similarly dependent on a transverse position of the bushings. Thus, the force exerted on the bushingswhen the bushing assemblyis in an inward configuration as shown, for example, in(e.g., a first configuration) is less than a force exerted on the bushingswhen the bushing assemblyis in an outward configuration as shown, for example, in(e.g., a second configuration). As a result, when the bushing assemblyis in the inward configuration (), the bushingsexert a reaction force in response to a first portion of the torque associated with the rotation of the hangerand when the bushing assemblyis in the outward configuration (), the bushingsexert a reaction force in response to a second portion of the torque that is greater than the first portion of the torque. Said another way, when the bushing assemblyis in the inward configuration, the bushingsallow the hangerto rotate about the kingpinmore than the amount of rotation allowed by the bushingswhen the bushing assemblyis in the outward configuration. Thus, a user can adjust the turning characteristics associated with the truckby moving the bushing platesin the inward or the outward direction relative to the base plate.

While the bushing assemblyis shown and described above with reference toas being configured to move the bushingsin a transverse direction relative to the base plate, in other embodiments, a truck can include a bushing assembly configured to move one or more bushings in any suitable direction. For example,illustrate a truckaccording to another embodiment. In some embodiments, the truckcan be included in, for example, a skateboard, roller skate, and/or the like (not shown), as described above with reference to the truck. Therefore, in use, the truckcan be in a “front” position or a “rear” position of a skateboard, roller skate, etc.

As shown in, the truckincludes a base plate, a hanger, a bushing assembly, and a kingpin. In some embodiments, portions of the truckcan be substantially similar in form and/or function as associated portions of the truckdescribed above with reference to. Thus, such portions of the truckare not described in further detail herein and should be considered substantially the same as the associated portions of the truckunless the context clearly states otherwise.

The hangerof the truckis substantially similar to the hangerof the truckdescribed above with reference toand thus, the hangeris not described in further detail herein. As such, the following description of the hangeris to identify features thereof and is not intended to limit the form and/or function of the hangerunless the context clearly states otherwise. Specifically, as shown in, the hangerdefines a slotand apertureand includes and/or forms a contact portionand a pair of axles. The slotis configured to receive a first couplerof the base plate(), the apertureis configured to receive a portion of the kingpin(), and the contact portionis configured to be in contact with a portion of the bushing assembly(). The axlesof the hangercan each be independently coupled to and/or formed with the hangersuch that a single axle does not extend substantially through the width of the hanger. Thus, the first couplercan be disposed in the slotand the kingpincan be disposed in the aperture.

As described above with reference to the truck, the apertureof the hangeris configured to receive the kingpin, an inner sleeve, and a bearing. The arrangement of the portion of the kingpin, the inner sleeve, and the bearingwithin the apertureof the hangeris similar to or substantially the same as the arrangement of the kingpin, the inner sleeve, and the bearingwithin the apertureof the hanger) and thus, is not described in further detail herein. In addition, the truckincludes a damperdisposed between the bearingand/or the hanger) and a second couplerof the base plate, as described above with reference to the damper. The damperof the truckis substantially similar in form and function as the damperof the truckand thus, is not described in further detail herein.

The truckcan differ from the truckdescribed above with reference toin the arrangement and/or configuration of at least a portion of the base plateand at least a portion of the bushing assembly. For example, the base plateof the truckcan be any suitable shape, size, and/or configuration. As shown in, the base platehas a first surfaceand a second surfaceand includes and/or otherwise forms a coupling portion. The first surfaceof the base plateis configured to be mounted, for example, to a bottom surface of a skateboard deck or the like, thereby positioning the hangerbeneath the bottom surface of the deck when coupled thereto. The mechanics of coupling the truckto the deck of a skateboard using bolts, screws, etc. can be similar to known bottom-mounted skateboard configurations, and thus, is not described in further detail herein.

As shown in, the coupling portionof the base plateextends from the second surfaceof the base plateand includes a first coupler, a second coupler, and a recessed surface, and defines a first boreand a second boreA. The first couplerand the second couplereach define an openingand, respectively, configured to receive a different portion of the kingpin(see e.g.,). In this embodiment, the arrangement and/or function of the first couplerand the second coupleris similar to or substantially the same as the first couplerand the second couplerof the base plateof. Thus, the first couplerand the second couplerare not described in further detail herein.