18 patents in this list

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Modern skateboard designs face significant safety challenges, with impact forces regularly exceeding 1000N during tricks and emergency braking scenarios requiring reliable deceleration from speeds of up to 25mph. Traditional wooden deck construction and basic four-wheel configurations, while proven, leave riders vulnerable to deck failure, wheel bite, and unstable braking conditions.

The fundamental challenge lies in enhancing rider safety through structural improvements while maintaining the board's essential characteristics for trick performance and maneuverability.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including reinforced kick-tail designs, multi-material deck constructions with optimized torsional properties, advanced braking mechanisms, and impact-resistant bumper systems. These and other approaches focus on practical safety improvements that can be implemented without compromising the core skateboarding experience.

1. Skateboard with Single-Wheel Truck Incorporating V-Groove and Internal Motor Capability

Joseph L. PIKULSKI, 2023

Skateboard with a single wheel truck that improves ride comfort and performance compared to traditional four-wheel skateboards. The single-wheel truck provides smoother ride by reducing the number of wheel impacts when crossing cracks in the ground. The single wheel also has a V groove for grinding rails without damaging the skateboard. The skateboard can have an internal motor in the wheel for powered versions.

2. Skateboard Truck with Pivoting Arms and Rotation-Inhibiting Structures

Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, 2023

A skateboard truck that reduces wheel interaction when the skateboard rolls over uneven surfaces like cracks. The truck has arms that pivot on a central hanger. Rotation-inhibiting structures limit how far the arms can rotate.

3. Skateboard Wheel Tire with Split Structure and Embedded Customizable Components

NINGBO WONDER POWER TECH CO, LTD, 2023

A skateboard wheel tire that provides improved comfort, shock absorption, durability and visual customization compared to traditional skateboard wheels. It uses a split structure with multiple parts. The main annular cover tire and connectors are made of the same material for consistent hardness. Embedded parts fill the gaps and are made of the same material but can have different colors and hardnesses. This allows customization and optimizing properties like comfort without sacrificing durability.

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4. Skateboard Deck with Multi-Material Construction and Centralized Torsional Flexibility

Hasegawa Corporation, 2021

A skateboard deck design that allows the front and rear wheels to stably contact a 3D road surface while ensuring usability and operability. The deck has multiple board materials with a central wood board narrower in width than the outer wood boards. The narrower central wood board reduces torsional rigidity. Fiber reinforced plastic boards are added above and below the wood core. The plastic boards extend fully but the wood boards narrow at the center. This reduces torsional rigidity at the center, allowing twist while maintaining overall deck width and stability. The plastic boards also fill remaining gaps around the wood core.

5. Board Vehicle Bumper with Bent Elongated Peripheral Member and Crossbar Connection

Titus Gadwin Watts, 2021

Bumper apparatus for a board vehicle that protects the board edges from damage and wear. The bumper has a bent elongated member that extends along the periphery of the board. A primary crossbar connects the side portions of the elongated member along the board. This bumper configuration serves as a durable barrier around the front, rear, and side edges of the board to prevent damage from impacts.

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6. Skateboard Braking Device with Manual Lever-Activated Wheel Pressure Mechanism

David Woodsford, 2021

A braking device for skateboards that allows for safe and efficient braking, particularly in emergency situations. The device is attached to the skateboard and includes a lever that can be manually actuated by the rider to engage a braking mechanism. When activated, the braking mechanism applies pressure to the skateboard wheels to slow down and stop the skateboard.

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7. Sport Board with Reinforced Kick Tails and Enhanced Truck Mounting Areas

Cross Wing Technology Holdings, LLC, 2020

A lightweight and thin sport board like a skateboard designed for freestyle tricks that reinforce the kick tails to handle the loads of tricks and jumps. This involves adding extra material and reinforcement to the areas around the rear and front trucks where the kick tails are mounted. This reinforcement enhances the strength of the board in those areas compared to the rest of the platform.

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8. Skateboard with Reinforced Kicktails for Enhanced Durability and Responsiveness

Cross Wing Technology Holdings, LLC, 2020

Skateboard design to enable high-performance freestyle tricks and potentially elevate skateboarding to Olympic-level competition. The design features reinforced kicktails for improved durability and responsiveness during tricks.

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9. Skateboard Deck with Selective Veneer Replacement by Omni-Directional Strength Material

NHS, INC., 2020

Skateboard top construction using a plurality of hardwood veneers in which sections of the 3rd and 5th veneer plies adjacent to the impact areas at the ends of the major axis are replaced with a non-grain, omni-directional strength material. This strengthens those vulnerable areas against compressive forces from impacts. The replacement material can be a composite, plastic, metal, or any material with good tensile and compressive strength regardless of grain orientation.

10. Suspension System with Shock Absorber and Linkage Assembly for One-Wheeled Self-Balancing Vehicles

Future Motion, Inc., 2019

Suspension system for one-wheeled self-balancing vehicles like electric skateboards, that allows the board to move vertically relative to the wheel in response to bumps. The suspension uses a shock absorber and linkage assembly to isolate the frame from terrain impacts. This prevents jolts and improves ride comfort compared to rigid one-wheelers. The suspension has swingarm or bell crank linkages connecting the shock absorber between the wheel axle and board.

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11. Rider Presence and Orientation Detection System for Self-Balancing Electric Vehicles Using Pressure and Orientation Sensors

Future Motion, Inc., 2019

Rider detection systems for self-balancing electric vehicles like skateboards. The systems detect rider presence and orientation on the vehicle using pressure sensors on the foot pads and orientation sensors. This allows the vehicle to know when a rider is on board and their weight distribution. The vehicle can then use this information to properly balance and move.

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12. Rider Detection System with Pressure and Orientation Sensors for Self-Balancing Electric Vehicles

Future Motion, Inc., 2019

Rider detection systems for self-balancing electric vehicles like skateboards. The systems detect rider presence and orientation on the vehicle using pressure sensors on the foot pads and orientation sensors. This allows the vehicle to know when a rider is on board and their weight distribution. The vehicle can then use this information to properly balance and move.

13. Skateboard Truck-Integrated Lever-Activated Brake System

Young Jin Choi, 2019

A skateboard with a brake system to improve stability and control. The brake is activated by a lever mounted on a handle that is attached to the skateboard truck. This allows the rider to squeeze the lever to engage the brake and slow down the skateboard.

14. Electric Vehicle Deck with Zoned Pressure Sensors for Rider Detection and Motor Control Activation

Future Motion, Inc., 2019

Rider detection and stabilization system for electric vehicles like self-balancing skateboards. The system uses pressure sensors in the deck to detect if a rider is on board. This allows the vehicle to activate the self-balancing motor control only when someone is riding. The sensors can be divided into zones to detect foot placement and enable tilting turns.

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15. Skateboard with Integrated Handle and Brake Lever System

Young Jin Choi, 2018

A skateboard with a handle and brake system to improve stability, control and safety. The skateboard has a handle attached to the truck hanger and a brake lever on the handle. This allows the rider to grip the handle for stability, leverage and balance. The brake lever operates a brake system to slow or stop the skateboard. This provides a way to control speed and stop without relying only on foot dragging.

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16. Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Personal Transporter with Rider Orientation and Weight Distribution Sensors

DEKA Products Limited Partnership, 2018

Personal transporter vehicle that balances itself on two wheels as it moves through user input. The vehicle has sensors to detect rider body orientation and weight distribution. A processor uses this input to generate control signals for direction and velocity while maintaining balance. The vehicle has a self-balancing system that continuously adjusts the wheels to keep the rider upright.

17. Recreational Board Braking System with Hand-Activated Prong Extension Mechanism

Streetboardz International Pty Ltd, 2018

A braking system for recreational boards like snowboards that allows riders to safely slow down and stop without losing balance. The braking system has an external activating means, like a hand-held lever, that controls the braking mechanism. When the lever is pulled, prongs on the mechanism extend into the riding surface to slow down the board. The lever allows gradual braking while keeping the rider balanced.

18. Electric Vehicle with Rider Presence Detection and Self-Stabilizing Control System

Future Motion, Inc., 2018

Self-stabilizing electric vehicle like a self-balancing skateboard that can detect rider presence on the vehicle. The vehicle has sensors like pressure transducers on the deck that detect foot pressure to determine if a rider is on board. The vehicle uses this rider detection information along with orientation sensors to control the motorized wheels and propel itself. This allows the vehicle to automatically adjust its balance and speed based on rider presence and orientation.

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Request the PDF report with complete details of all 18 patents for offline reading.

These innovations in skateboard safety are pushing the sport forward, making it safer and more accessible. With advanced designs like improved stability mechanisms and shock-absorbing materials, skateboarders can now enjoy a more secure ride. As technology continues to advance, skateboard safety will undoubtedly keep improving, offering riders a thrilling experience with fewer risks.