Apparatus for Skateboard Truck

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard. The truck includes a joining means and a positioning means. The joining means has one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means. The hatch system includes a binding means and at least one biasing means. The binding means is removably connected to the positioning means via at least one fixing means. At least one biasing means is adapted in use to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means. The fixing means is configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the hanger, the biasing means is not in compression.

1 . An apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck including a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the hatch system including:
 a binding means removably connected to the positioning means via at least one fixing means, and   at least one biasing means adapted in use to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means;   wherein the fixing means is configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the hanger, the biasing means is not in compression.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the joining means takes the form of a base plate and the positioning means that of a hanger. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate takes the form of a U-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the U-shaped bracket includes a middle portion with at least one protrusion stemming therefrom. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the U-shaped bracket includes a pair of protrusions. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base plate is pivotally connected to the hanger via a pin. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the pin when in use is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hanger includes at least one aperture adapted to receive the at least one biasing means. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hanger includes two apertures, each configured to receive a biasing means. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the hanger includes a pair of arms, each arm being configured to connect to a wheel of the skateboard. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the binding means is configured to fit into a hub provided in the hanger. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the binding means includes at least one protuberance. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the binding means includes a pair of protuberances. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the protuberances of the binding means are aligned with the corresponding protrusions of the bracket, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means are coil springs. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each coil spring has a first end adapted in use to engage the protrusion of the bracket and a second end adapted to engage the protuberance of the binding means. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each coil is configured such that when not compressed, it creates a first gap between the binding means and the hanger. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing means is a screw having an externally threaded elongate body adapted to be passed through an orifice provided in the binding means and then received within a corresponding internally threaded hole provided in the hanger. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the screw includes a flanged head configured in use to be countersunk to abut an area surrounding the orifice. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the elongate body of the screw is of such a length that upon initial engagement of the elongate body and the hole in the hanger, there is a second gap between the flanged head and the area surrounding the orifice. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein as the screw is advanced further into the hole, the second gap is progressively closed until the flanged head of the screw abuts the area surrounding the orifice. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein as the binding means is moved closer to the positioning means, the springs are progressively forced into compression. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which includes additional fixing means passed through corresponding openings provided in the binding means, and then received within corresponding holes in the hanger, so as to further secure the binding means to the hanger. 
     
     
         24 . A truck for a skateboard including an apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A method of providing an apparatus for a truck of a skateboard, the truck comprising a joining means and a positioning means, the joining means having one end connected to a deck of the skateboard and another end movably connected to the positioning means, the method including the steps of:
 providing at least one biasing means having first and second ends;   passing the biasing means through an aperture provided in the positioning means so that the first end of the biasing means engages the joining means;   engaging a binding means with the second end of the biasing means;   passing at least one fixing means through an orifice provided in the binding means, the fixing means being configured such that upon initial engagement thereof with the positioning means, the biasing means is not in compression;   engaging the fixing means with the positioning means; and   connecting the binding means to the positioning means via the fixing means thereby progressively causing the biasing means to be held in compression between the joining means and the binding means.