Adjustable Stiffness Skateboards for Enhanced Performance
4 patents in this list
Updated:
Skateboard truck designs traditionally face a critical compromise between turning responsiveness and stability at speed. Current trucks exhibit torsional stiffness ranges between 0.2-0.8 Nm/degree, with higher values providing stability but reducing maneuverability. Measurements across various truck designs show that small adjustments in kingpin tension can alter the effective spring rate by up to 40%.
The engineering challenge lies in creating adjustable mechanisms that can modify truck stiffness while maintaining structural integrity and preventing mechanical wear during dynamic loading conditions.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including inverted kingpin configurations, embedded shaft nut designs, compliant tong mechanisms, and adjustable spacer systems. These and other approaches focus on achieving variable truck response while ensuring durability and consistent performance across different riding styles.
1. Skateboard Trucks with Inverted Kingpin and Recessed Nut Design
NHS, Inc., 2023
Skateboard trucks with an inverted kingpin orientation differ from traditional trucks by mounting the kingpin into the baseplate with the threaded end facing downwards toward the deck. The baseplate features a recessed area that houses a hex nut with a long shaft, securing the kingpin. This inverted design allows for easy adjustment of truck tightness by tightening the nut, without the kingpin protruding from the bottom, reducing the risk of it catching on obstacles. The recessed nut design also prevents contact between the hard kingpin and the softer baseplate material, minimizing wear and reducing truck wobble.
2. Skateboard Truck with Inverted Kingpin and Embedded Threaded Shaft Nut
NHS, Inc., 2022
A skateboard truck with adjustable tightness enhances maneuverability and prevents wheel bite while avoiding kingpin snagging on obstacles. It features a baseplate, hanger, kingpin, and a permanently affixed threaded shaft nut inside the baseplate. The kingpin is inverted compared to conventional trucks, so tightening it lowers the head away from the ground. The embedded shaft nut ensures stability and prevents wear of the kingpin against the baseplate.
3. Skateboard Truck with Inverted Kingpin and Adjustable Turning Mechanism
NHS, Inc., 2022
A skateboard truck design that allows for adjustable tightness of the truck turning while also preventing the kingpin from protruding below the baseplate surface. The truck has an inverted kingpin orientation where the threaded end faces the deck bottom. The kingpin threads into a fixed shaft nut inside the baseplate. As the kingpin is tightened, it lowers closer to the baseplate rather than protruding. This prevents the kingpin from hitting obstacles on the ground.
4. Adjustable Torsional Stiffness Skateboard Truck with Fork-Shaped Arm and Compliant Tongs
Mark Groenenboom, 2022
A skateboard truck that allows the user to adjust the torsional stiffness of the truck. The truck has a fork-shaped arm with compliant tongs that flex when the truck turns. The tongs are prevented from over-flexing by spacers on the axle. Clamping the wheels against the tongs loads the axle in tension, allowing the user to adjust torsional stiffness by adding or removing spacers.
Important issues including durability, usability, and structural integrity are addressed by the designs that are offered. These developments show the possibility of highly customized skateboards that can accommodate a diverse variety of riding styles and preferences, even though more research and development are required.
