Three-wheeled skateboard system and method

Abstract

A system and method for a skateboard and for propelling the skateboard. The skateboard system includes a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane. The skateboard system also includes a truck assembly attached near the first end of the board, and a caster assembly attached near the second end of the board. The caster assembly has a caster pin at an angle with respect to the board plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

1 . A skateboard comprising:
 a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane;   a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board plane, the shaft connecting to an axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the axle; and   a caster assembly attached near the second end with a caster pin defining a predetermined caster pin angle with respect to the board plane wherein the caster pin is securely coupled relative to the board plane such that the predetermined caster pin angle is securely fixed to form an acute angle with respect to the board plane, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, wherein the caster fork translates radially about the caster pin regardless of the predetermined caster pin angle.   
     
     
         2 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the caster assembly is removably coupled to the board. 
     
     
         3 . The skateboard of  claim 2  wherein the removably coupled caster assembly is removable by means of a pin assembly coupling the caster assembly to the board. 
     
     
         4 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the caster pin is adjustable to certain fixed angular positions according to a mating selection of corresponding securing teeth within caster assembly, the certain fixed angular positions being angular with respect to the board plane. 
     
     
         5 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the caster pin is adjustable via an angle pin, the angle pin being positioned to obtain a certain fixed angular position according to an angle pin location, the angle pin location being selected within caster assembly, the certain fixed angular position being angular with respect to the board plane. 
     
     
         6 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein a handlebar assembly is mechanically coupled to the board. 
     
     
         7 . A method of propelling a skateboard, the method comprising:
 applying a lateral force to a first side of a board, the board further comprising a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane, a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a shaft substantially perpendicular with the board, the shaft connecting to a truck axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the truck axle, and a caster assembly attached near the second end of the board with a caster pin defining a fixed caster pin angle with respect to the board plane, the fixed caster pin angle forming an acute angle with respect to the board plane, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, such that the caster fork translates radially about the caster pin;   transferring a force through the caster assembly;   applying the transferred force to a surface, wherein the applied force is the product of the transferred force and the distance between a line perpendicular to the board plane and the caster axle; and   applying a lateral force to a second side of the board based on the application of the lateral force to the first side of the board.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising adjusting the fixed caster pin angle relative to the board plane. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising relocating an angle pin, wherein the caster pin is adjustable via alternate settings of the angle pin to obtain certain fixed angular positions that are angular with respect to the board plane. 
     
     
         10 . A skateboard comprising:
 a board including a first end and a second end, the first end offset from the second end, and the second end defining a board plane;   a truck assembly attached near the first end, the truck assembly including a reverse kingpin substantially perpendicular with the board plane, the reverse kingpin connecting to an axle supporting a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first wheel and second wheel being freely rotatable about the axle; and   a caster assembly attached near the second end with a caster kingpin defining a predetermined caster kingpin angle with respect to the board plane wherein the caster kingpin is coupled relative to the board plane such that the predetermined caster kingpin angle is securely fixed with respect to the board plane, the caster kingpin having a caster block and lock nut arranged to secure a caster lock plate to hold caster kingpin at the predetermined caster kingpin angle, the caster assembly including a caster fork supporting a caster wheel freely rotatable about a caster axle, wherein the caster fork translates radially about the caster kingpin regardless of the predetermined caster kingpin angle.   
     
     
         11 . The skateboard of  claim 10  wherein the caster block and lock nut are configured to engage caster lock plate within caster assembly by means of mechanically threading caster lock nut onto caster lock plate in a nut and bolt relationship such that caster lock nut may be tightened using threads of caster lock plate by rotating caster lock nut upon corresponding threads of caster lock plate, wherein caster block provides a washer ring style spacing beside caster lock nut within caster assembly, wherein a teeth arrangement of caster assembly is operative to secure caster lock plate when caster lock nut is tightened, thereby securing movement of caster kingpin when caster lock nut is tightened such that the predetermined caster kingpin angle remains unchanged. 
     
     
         12 . The skateboard of  claim 10  wherein the truck assembly further comprises a reverse kingpin truck to attach the truck assembly near the first end of the board with the reverse kingpin. 
     
     
         13 . The skateboard of  claim 10  wherein the caster assembly attached near the second end of the board with the caster kingpin defining the predetermined caster kingpin angle with respect to the board plane comprises defining a distance between the caster axle and the board plane.