Controllers for electric skateboards

Abstract

A controller for an electric skateboard is provided. The controller includes a pistol-grip housing configured to fit in a palm of a hand of a user of the electric skateboard; an accelerator trigger positioned on an upper front portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a first finger of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped; a brake trigger positioned on an upper rear portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a thumb of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped; and a display screen positioned on a front upper portion of the pistol-grip housing above the accelerator trigger and forwardly of the brake trigger, and configured to be viewed by the user when the pistol-grip housing is gripped.

1 . A controller for an electric skateboard, the controller comprising:
 a pistol-grip housing configured to fit in a palm of a hand of a user of the electric skateboard;   an accelerator trigger positioned on an upper front portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a first finger of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped;   a brake trigger positioned on an upper rear portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a thumb of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped; and   a display screen positioned on a front upper portion of the pistol-grip housing above the accelerator trigger and forwardly of the brake trigger, and configured to be viewed by the user when the pistol-grip housing is gripped.   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a deadman safety switch positioned on a middle front portion of the pistol-grip housing below the accelerator trigger, and configured to be actuated by second, third and little fingers of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped. 
     
     
         3 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second speed control buttons positioned on a middle rear portion of the pistol-grip housing below the brake trigger, and configured to be actuated by a thumb of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped. 
     
     
         4 . The controller of  claim 3 , further comprising an ON/OFF button positioned on a lower rear portion of the of the pistol-grip housing below the first and second speed control buttons. 
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 4 , wherein the ON/OFF button is illuminated by LEDs (light emitting diodes) configured to indicate an ON operating state of the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable battery positioned in the pistol-grip housing. 
     
     
         7 . The controller of  claim 6 , further comprising an electronics assembly module positioned in the pistol-grip housing and connected to each of the rechargeable battery, accelerator trigger, brake trigger, display screen, first and second speed control buttons, deadman safety switch, and ON/OFF button, wherein the electronics assembly is configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic control module of the electric skateboard. 
     
     
         8 . The controller of  claim 6 , further comprising a micro-USB (universal series bus) socket positioned on a lower front portion of the pistol-grip housing below the deadman safety switch, and configured to receive a micro-USB plug to charge the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         9 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the pistol-grip housing comprises first and second moulded plastic shells. 
     
     
         10 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein the pistol-grip housing further comprises first and second grip portions respectively over moulded over portions of the first and second moulded plastic shells. 
     
     
         11 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the accelerator trigger and brake trigger each comprise a magnetic Hall effect sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The controller of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second speed control buttons, deadman safety switch, and ON/OFF button each comprise a tact switch. 
     
     
         13 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen comprises a TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor liquid crystal display) screen. 
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable screen cover for the display screen. 
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 8 , further comprising a removable USB cover for the micro-USB socket. 
     
     
         16 . A method of remotely controlling an electric skateboard using the controller of  claim 1 .