Skateboard with remote controlled motive power

Abstract

A vehicle for transporting a rider includes a platform for supporting the rider and at least one skate truck coupled to the platform and including a housing. An axel included in the skate truck extends through the housing to support a wheel having a rotational relationship with both the housing and the platform. Motive power rotates the wheel relative to the platform a free-wheel bearing includes first portions coupled to the wheel and second portions coupled to the motive power. The second portions of the bearing have a fixed relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a first relative direction, and have a free-wheeling relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a second relative direction opposite to the first relative direction. When the motive power comprises a motor, portions of the platform can be adapted to receive a battery.

1 . A skateboard, comprising: 
 a platform for supporting a rider;    a pair of skate trucks rotatably supporting the platform;    a motor for driving at least one of the skate trucks at a controllable speed;    at least one battery for powering the motor;    means coupled between the battery and the motor for controlling the speed of the motor;    a first wall and a second wall defining at least one compartment;    each of the first wall and the second wall being integral with the platform; and    the at least one battery being disposed in the compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The skateboard recited in claim A 1 , further comprising: 
 a cover defining the compartment with the first wall and the second wall; and    the cover being moveable relative to the first wall and the second wall to provide access to the compartment.    
     
     
         3 . The skateboard recited in claim A 2 , wherein the cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall.  
     
     
         4 . The skateboard recited in claim A 2 , wherein the compartment is a first compartment and the skateboard further comprises: 
 the first wall defining with the second wall a second compartment; and    a plurality of the batteries each sized and configured for disposition in one of the first compartment and the second compartment.    
     
     
         5 . The skateboard recited in claim A 4  wherein the cover is a first cover and the skateboard, further comprises: 
 a second cover defining the second compartment with the first wall and the second wall; and  
 the second cover being pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall independently of the first cover.  
 
     
     
         6 . The skateboard recited in claim A 5 , wherein the first cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall in a first direction; and 
 the second cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction.    
     
     
         7 . The skateboard recited in claim A 5 , wherein the motor control means is disposed between the first wall and the second wall and between the first compartment and the second compartment.  
     
     
         8 . The skateboard recited in claim A 1 , wherein: 
 the first wall and the second wall extend from the platform a predetermined distance; and    at least one of the skate trucks is supported by the first wall and the second wall and is spaced from the platform by the predetermined distance.    
     
     
         9 . The skateboard recited in claim A 8  wherein the at least one skate truck is coupled to the first wall and the second wall by a wood screw.  
     
     
         10 . The skateboard recited in claim A 8  further comprising a remote speed controller coupled to the motor control means and adapted to be carried by the rider.  
     
     
         11 . The skateboard recited in claim A 10  wherein the remote speed controller is coupled to the motor control means through a wireless interface.  
     
     
         12 . A vehicle for transporting a rider, comprising: 
 a platform for supporting the rider:    at least one skate truck coupled to the platform and including a housing;    an axel included in the truck and extending through the housing;    a wheel mounted on the axel and having a rotational relationship with the housing and the platform;    motive power coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the platform;    a free-wheel bearing including first portions coupled to the wheel and second portions coupled to the motive power; and    the second portions of the bearing having a fixed relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a first relative direction, and having a free-wheeling relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a second relative direction opposite of the first relative direction.    
     
     
         13 . The skateboard recited in claim B 1 , wherein: 
 the first portions of the bearing have a fixed relationship with the wheel and a rotational relationship with the axel; and    the second portions of the bearing having a ratcheting relationship with the first portions of the bearing.    claim B 3 . The skateboard recited in claim B 1 , wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and has a fixed relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.    claim B 3 . The skateboard recited in claim B 1 , wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and has a fixed relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.    
     
     
         14 . The skateboard recited in claim B 1 , wherein the shaft has a fixed relationship with the housing and has a rotatable relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.  
     
     
         15 . A skateboard, comprising: 
 a platform for supporting a rider;    a skate truck rotatably supporting the platform;    a housing included in the truck and having a pivotal relationship with the platform;    an axel included in the truck and being carried by the housing;    a pair of wheels rotatably supported on the axel;    a free-wheeling device coupled to the at least one of the wheels for driving the truck in only a single direction;    a bracket having a fixed relationship with the housing of the truck; and    motive means coupled to the bracket for driving the free-wheeling device in the one direction at a controllable rate of speed.    
     
     
         16 . The skateboard recited in claim C 1  wherein the motive means comprises and engine.  
     
     
         17 . The skateboard recited in claim C 1  wherein the motive means comprises a motor.  
     
     
         18 . The skateboard recited in claim C 1  wherein the housing is integral with the bracket.  
     
     
         20 . The skateboard recited in claim C 5  wherein the power transfer device is a chain.  
     
     
         21 . The skateboard recited in claim C 6  wherein the bracket includes a chain guard.