FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a freestyle board sports device, and more particularly to a device similar to a skateboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently, freestyle board- or deck-type sporting devices generally include devices such as skateboards and scooters as well as their water analogues such as surfboards, wakeboards, etc. A variety of shapes and sizes of these devices are manufactured to provide different experiences to the freestyle enthusiast. For example, different devices may have different steering, balancing and/or attachment systems to provide the user with different experiences.

[0003] Conventional freestyle skateboards typically comprise three main components: a deck, two trucks and two sets of wheels. The deck is generally symmetrical and has a rectangular or oval platform with an upturned nose and tail and a concave shape through the middle. The trucks are t-shaped axles attached to the underside of the board with a set of wheels fixed to each truck aligned on a common track. In addition to allowing the wheels to spin, the trucks give the boarders the ability to turn. The shape of the board along with the fixed wheels and trucks allows tricks to be initiated, landed and performed backwards or forwards.

[0004] Numerous modifications have been made to conventional freestyle boards. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0327547 and US Patent No. 7,243,925 teach variations on truck assemblies. US Patent No. 7,216,876 teaches a system for powering a skateboard or the like using hydraulic fluid. US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0042387 teaches a skateboard platform having a gripping aperture that allows a user to lift and transport the skateboard single-handedly. US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0148063 teaches a mobile platform assembly with increased rotational movement without the use of a truck assembly. US Patent No. 7,810,825 teaches a steering and braking system for a skateboard. US Patent No. 5,458,351 ; GB Patent No. 2,246,076; US Patent No. 4,202,559; US Patent No. 4,955,626; US Patent No. 5,236,208 and US Patent No. 7,083,178 teach skateboards having rotatable and/or pivotable foot supports for steering the skateboard. US Patent No. 7,338,067 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0104551 teach a magnetic binding and foot traction system for use in sports boards.

[0005] While each of the foregoing systems provide the user with a specific user- experience there continues to be a need for a skateboard or other freestyle board device that has increased turning ability and maneuverability to allow a user to perform a greater number of tricks on the board, while still retaining many aspects of a conventional board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a rotatable footplate system for attachment to a sport device having a steering assembly, the rotatable footplate system comprising a footplate assembly operatively connected to the steering assembly, wherein the footplate assembly and steering assembly freely rotate together in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction from a neutral position with respect to a vertical axis of the sport device body when a turning force is applied to the footplate assembly; and an alignment assembly operatively connected to the footplate assembly that automatically returns the footplate assembly to the neutral position when no turning force is being applied to the footplate assembly.

[0007] In one embodiment, the rotatable footplate system further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing the footplate assembly from rotating. The locking mechanism is operable between a locked and an unlocked position based on a user's foot placement on the footplate assembly.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the locking mechanism is a magnet operatively connected to the footplate assembly and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein placement of a user's shoe containing metal on the footplate assembly moves the magnet into the unlocked position and disengages the footplate assembly from the sport device body, allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, and wherein upon removal of the user's shoe the magnet automatically returns to the locked position. The locking mechanism may further comprise a spring for biasing the magnet in the locked position.

[0009] In an alternate embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a compressible spring protruding from the top of the footplate assembly, wherein placement of a user's shoe in the center of the footplate assembly compresses the spring and disengages the footplate assembly from the sport device body, allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, and wherein removal of the user's shoe from the center of the footplate assembly allows the spring to extend, engaging the footplate assembly with the sport device body and preventing the footplate assembly from rotating.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the alignment assembly of the rotatable footplate system comprises a rotating block operatively connected to the footplate assembly and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and a biasing means operatively connected to the sport device and biased against the rotating block, wherein the biasing means automatically returns the rotating block and footplate assembly to the neutral position when no turning force is applied to the footplate assembly. In one embodiment, there is more than one neutral position and the biasing means moves the footplate assembly to a neutral position by the shortest path. In a further embodiment, the rotating block is an elliptical disk cam having two neutral positions 180 degrees apart, and wherein the biasing means is at least one spring.

[0011] In one embodiment, the biasing means is a spring having a first end pivotably connected to the rotating block at a pivot point and a second end operatively connected to the sport device, wherein the spring first end can fully rotate about the pivot point as the pivot point rotates with the rotating block.

[0012] In another embodiment, the alignment assembly comprises at least one rotatable magnet operatively connected to and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and at least one stationary magnet operatively connected to the sport device; wherein the magnetic fields of the at least one rotatable magnet and the at least one stationary magnet bias the footplate assembly into the neutral position. The at least one rotatable magnet and the at least one stationary magnet may include a plurality of magnets, creating a plurality of neutral positions for the footplate assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the sport device for the rotatable footplate system is a skateboard and the steering assembly is a truck and wheel assembly.

[0014] In one embodiment, the footplate assembly further includes a binding system for operative engagement with a user's shoe for applying the turning force to the footplate assembly through the binding system. The binding system may include a magnet for providing a magnetic connection to a user's shoe containing metal to aid the user in applying a turning force to the footplate assembly through the binding system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sectional bottom perspective views of the ends of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sectional top perspective views of the ends of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9A is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplate removed and the wheels aligned in a normal position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9B is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplate removed and the wheels aligned 90° to the normal position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9C is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplate removed and the wheels aligned 45° to the normal position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a top view of a skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 a top perspective view of the skateboard with one footplate removed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a side view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is an end view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 14A and 14B are cross-sectional perspective views of the end of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end of the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 is a sketch of a magnetic locking mechanism for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of one end of a skateboard showing a spring locking mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of one end of a skateboard showing a magnetic locking mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19A is a sketch of a rotational block and spring alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19B is a sketch of a rotational block and spring alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 20 is a sketch of a dual rotational block and spring alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 21 is a sketch of a dual rotational block and spring alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 22 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly having one equilibrium position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 23 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly having two equilibrium positions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 24 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatable footplate truck assembly having four equilibrium positions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 25 is a front view of a skateboard having a conventional truck and wheel assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] With reference to the figures, a freestyle board sport device in the form of a skateboard 10 is described. The skateboard 10 includes a board deck 14, a first and second footplate 34, 36, a first and second footplate truck assembly 30, 32 located at either end of the skateboard, and two wheel sets 58 attached to each rotating footplate truck assembly. A user of the skateboard can freely rotate each footplate truck assembly and wheel set in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to a vertical axis of the board deck, independent of the other footplate truck assembly and wheel set.

Skateboard Body

[0017] The body of the skateboard comprises the board deck 14, a first and second skid plate 16, 17, a cover 18, a first and second underplate 20, 22, and a first and second spacer 26, 28. The skateboard is generally symmetrical and can be ridden with either end facing forward.

Board Deck

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1 and 11 , the board deck 14 is generally rectangular shaped with a first and second arcuate end 14a, 14d and is sized to allow a user to comfortably place their feet on either end of the skateboard. In FIG. 11 the second footplate is removed to better illustrate the parts located underneath the footplate. Near the first arcuate end 14a of the board deck, there is a first hole (not shown) in the board deck, and near the second end 14d there is a second hole 14c. The first and second footplate truck assemblies 30, 32 are inserted through the first and second hole. The holes are surrounded by the first and second skid plates 16, 17 which are ring-shaped and attached to the top of the board deck 14. The skid plates allow for smooth rotation of a first and second footplate 34, 36 on top of the board deck. [0019] The board deck is preferably made of high quality plywood or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as fiberglass, reinforced injection molded plastic, aluminum extrusion or aluminum die-cast, and the like.

Cover

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 , the cover 18 of the skateboard is attached to the top of the board deck 12 between the first and second footplate truck assemblies 30, 32. The cover is generally concave shaped from its lateral edges 18a to its center line 18b to give the user leverage for controlling the board and performing tricks. The cover generally is made from or coated with a high friction material or substance to allow the user to better grip the cover surface during use. The cover may be one solid piece or it may be comprised of two or more pieces, as shown in FIG. 1 as a first cover piece 18c and second cover piece 8d.

Underplates

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6A, the first and second underplate 20, 22 are located at either end 14a, 1 d of the board deck 14 and are generally round and flat with a hole in the middle through which the truck assembly is inserted through. The first and second spacer 26, 28 are attached to the underside of the board deck at each end, and the underplates are attached to the underside of the spacers. The spacers are made from a shock-absorbing material to create a smoother riding skateboard.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 9C, a retainer 74 is attached to the top side of the spacer 26, 28 with a plurality of fasteners 74b. The retainer is generally a round flat disc with a whole in the center for retaining the truck assembly. The retainer acts as a mount for an alignment mechanism, such as a spring 70 and as a running surface for bearings, as described in greater detail below.

Rotating Footplate Truck Assemblies

[0023] The first and second rotating footplate truck assembly 30, 32 include the moving parts of the skateboard that freely rotate as one unit in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to the vertical axis of the skateboard. Preferably, there is no endpoint to the rotation of the footplate truck assemblies. The rotating footplate truck assemblies are located at either end 14a, 14d of the skateboard. Both rotating footplate truck assemblies are substantially identical and as such any description of the first rotating footplate truck assembly 30 is to be understood as applying to the second rotating footplate truck assembly 32, unless stated otherwise.

[0024] Each rotating footplate truck assembly generally comprises a footplate 34, 36, a binding 38 having a magnet 42, an alignment mechanism having an elliptical disk cam 46, and a wheeled truck assembly 50 having a truck baseplate 52, a truck hanger 54, an axle 56 and wheel set 58. The entire footplate truck assembly rotates as one unit with respect to the skateboard, and each footplate truck assembly rotates independently of the other.

Footplates

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second footplates 34, 36 are located at either ends of the skateboard. Both footplates are capable of freely rotating in both a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with no endpoint. The user controls the rotation of the footplates via the binding 38, as described in further detail below.

[0026] The footplates are substantially identical, and as such any description of the first footplate 34 is to be understood as applying to the second footplate 36, unless stated otherwise. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the footplates are generally asymmetrical with the outer portion 36a of the footplate extending outward and upward from the board deck and the inner portion 36b being angled downward and inward toward the center of the board deck. This shape provides the user with a "lip" at the front of the board to use for leverage for performing tricks on the skateboard, as well as provides the user a larger standing space in the middle of the board.

[0027] Similar to the board deck, the footplates are made of high quality plywood or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as fiberglass, reinforced injection molded plastic, aluminum extrusion or aluminum die-cast, and the like. The outer edge of the footplates may be a soft resilient treaded rubber or similar, and may have compressed air or rubber foam within itself, so to deform and cushion landings on hard surfaces. Binding

[0028] The binding 38 is attached to the top of the footplate 34, 36 and secures the footplate to the rest of the rotating truck assembly via screws 38a or other suitable attachment mechanisms. In one embodiment, the binding has a protruding bar 38b with a magnet 42 underneath. The magnet is fastened via magnet fasteners 42a to the alignment mechanism 46. The bottom sole of the user's shoe (not shown) has a metal plate as well as a slot that fits over the protruding bar of the binding and interlocks. Being symmetrical, the binding connects to the user's shoe in either direction. The slot is preferably magnetic to provide a stronger connection between the metal plate in the shoe and the binding, giving the user rotational control of the whole rotating footplate truck assembly. The binding is preferably made from a combination of injection molded plastic or polyurethane and metal extrusion or die-cast.

[0029] In other embodiments, different mechanisms for interlocking the shoe with the binding are used, such as pegs on the bottom of the shoes that fit into corresponding holes on the binding. The binding may also comprise teeth at the sides of the protruding bar to provide friction between the binding and the user's shoe to keep the shoe from slipping.

[0030] In another embodiment, the binding acts as a locking device for the footplate truck assembly, allowing the footplate truck assembly to rotate when the user's shoe is engaged with the binding, and preventing the footplate truck assembly from rotating when the user's shoe is disengaged from the binding to prevent the footplate truck assembly from rotating unintentionally. This provides a safety feature for the user to prevent unintentional rotation of the footplate truck assemblies when the board's wheels hit a rock, crack, or other obstacle in the pavement.

[0031] A footplate assembly locking mechanism for the skateboard is shown in FIG. 16, wherein the magnet 42 is vertically moveable and connected to a first end 44a of a spring 44, which has a second lower end 44b in operative connection with the rotating truck assembly. When a user's shoe having a shoe 92 with a metal plate 90 is placed above the magnet, the magnet is attracted to the metal plate and moves upwards, thereby unlocking the footplate truck assembly and allowing it to freely rotate. When the metal plate is moved away from the magnet, the spring returns the magnet to the lower position, thereby locking the footplate truck assembly and preventing it from rotating. Alternatively, no spring is used and the magnet is returned to the lower position via gravity. FIG. 18 illustrates this embodiment, where the magnet 42 is shown in the upward unlocked position and a locking arm 40 attached to the footplate truck assembly 50 is disengaged from the skateboard deck 14. When the magnet 42 moves downward into the locked position, the locking arm 40 engages with the skateboard deck at location 14a, preventing the footplate truck assembly from rotating.

[0032] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 17, the locking and unlocking mechanism includes a compressible button 94 protruding from the top of the footplate, with a spring 96 located below the button that is in operative engagement with the rotating truck assembly. The user compresses the button with their shoe, compressing the spring and disengaging a locking arm 40 from a fixed portion 14a of the board deck, thereby unlocking the rotating footplate truck assembly. When the shoe is removed from the button, the spring extends back to its normal position and the locking arm 40 engages with the board deck, preventing rotation of the footplate truck assembly.

Wheeled Truck Assemblies

[0033] Each wheeled truck assembly comprises the truck baseplate 52, the truck hanger 54, the axle 56 and the wheel set 58 which comprises a first and second wheel 58a, 58b. Preferably, the wheeled truck assembly is a conventional skateboard wheeled truck assembly 50, shown in FIG. 25, that is connected to the skateboard in such a manner that it is able to freely rotate in both directions with respect to the vertical axis of the board. The truck baseplate 52 is operatively connected to the alignment mechanism, which in one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, is an elliptical disk cam 46. The truck hanger 54 is attached to the underside of the truck baseplate. The axle 56 runs through the truck hanger and the wheels 58a, 58b are attached to either end of the axle. Using a conventional wheeled truck assembly allows a user to maneuver the skateboard by leaning and steering the conventional way when the wheels are in a neutral position.

Alignment Mechanism [0034] The alignment mechanism is operatively connected to the footplate truck assembly and causes the footplate truck assembly to return to an equilibrium position when no turning force is applied to the footplate truck assembly. FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show various angles the footplate truck assembly and wheels 58a, 58b can be positioned at. FIG. 9A shows a neutral or "normal" riding position. FIG. 9C shows a 45° position from neutral and FIG. 9B shows a 90° position from neutral.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the alignment mechanism is an elliptical disk cam 46 and a pair of springs 70. The disk cam is located underneath the footplate 34, 36 and magnet 42 and secured to the wheeled truck assembly via elliptical disk cam fasteners 46a. The disk cam rotates with the footplate truck assembly. The springs 70 are preferably leaf springs that have a free end 70a abutting the inside edge of the board deck 14 and a fixed end 70b attached to the inside edge of the board deck. Other suitable biasing means would be known to those skilled in the art.

[0035] The elliptical disk cam 46 and the spring 70 cause the footplate truck assembly to automatically realign in a "neutral position", shown in FIG. 9A, when the user's foot is not applying a force to the binding 38 or is removed from the binding. That is, as the footplate assembly is rotated from the neutral position by the action of the rider, the major axis of the elliptical disk cam is biased against the spring 70 which resists the turning force being applied to footplate assembly. If the rider disengages their foot from the footplate, the spring 70 acts against the elliptical disk cam thereby returning the entire footplate truck assembly, including the footplate, binding, elliptical disk cam and wheeled truck assembly, to the neutral position. Due to the disk cam being elliptical in shape, the footplate assembly has two equilibrium points and will return to the neutral position via the shortest path. That is, if the truck assembly has been rotated to a position more than 180 degrees from neutral or an equilibrium point in a clockwise direction, the shortest path to the neutral position will be further rotation in the clockwise direction. However, if truck assembly has been rotated to a position less than 180 degrees from neutral or a equilibrium point in a clockwise direction, the shortest path to the neutral position will be further counter rotation in the counter-clockwise direction.

[0036] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the alignment mechanism comprises a rotating block 62 and spring 74, wherein the rotating block is connected to and rotates with the footplate truck assembly. A first end 74a of the spring is attached to the rotating block at a pivot point comprising a pin 76, such that the sp ng first end pivots with the rotating block, while a second end 74b of the spring is connected to a non-rotating part of the skateboard, such as the board deck, and remains stationary. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate the spring and rotation block in an equilibrium or neutral position. As the footplate truck assembly and rotation block pivot away from equilibrium, the sp ng stretches. When no rotation force is being applied to the footplate truck assembly, the spring pulls the rotation block and footplate truck assembly back to the equilibrium position via the shortest path, i.e. in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0037] Alternatively, the rotation block alignment mechanism uses two or more rotation blocks. Referring to FIG. 20, a first rotation block 73 is attached to the spring 76, while a second rotation block 75 is attached to the footplate truck assembly. The first and second rotation blocks are positioned side by side and connected like gears in a 1 :1 gear ratio, such that movement of one rotation block causes the other rotation block to simultaneously move at the same rate. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 21 , the second rotation block 75 is positioned above the first rotation block 73, with the pivot pin 78 connecting the two rotation blocks, to which the spring 76 is attached.

[0038] In a further embodiment, a magnetic alignment mechanism is used for automatically aligning the footplate truck assembly. Referring to FIG. 22, the alignment mechanism comprises a stationary outer magnetic ring 62 attached to the board deck 14, and an inner magnetic ring 64 that rotates with the footplate truck assembly. FIG. 22 illustrates the magnetic rings in an equilibrium position with the opposing north and south poles of the inner and outer rings aligned, which is the position the magnetic rings are continually biased toward. Rotating the footplate truck assembly and inner magnetic ring causes the magnetic rings to move out of the equilibrium position, however the magnetic fields will cause the inner magnetic ring and footplate truck assembly to return to the equilibrium position when no rotating force is applied to the footplate truck assembly. Similar to the other embodiments for the alignment mechanism, the inner ring and footplate truck assembly will return to the equilibrium position via the shortest path, which may be in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. [0039] In further embodiments, the magnetic alignment mechanism has more than one equilibrium position. The number of equilibrium positions is based on the number of magnetic poles in the inner and outer magnetic rings. FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment having two equilibrium positions, wherein in equilibrium either of the two north poles 64a, 64b of the inner ring 64 align with either of the two south poles 62a, 62b of the outer ring 62. This embodiment returns the footplate truck assembly to the closest equilibrium position, wherein the wheels may be forward facing or backward facing. Alternatively, FIG. 24 illustrates a magnetic alignment mechanism having four equilibrium positions, wherein the inner magnetic ring 64 and outer magnetic ring 62 each have four north poles and four south poles that can be aligned with one another in an equilibrium position. This embodiment aligns the wheels at one of four equilibrium positions every 90 degrees such that wheel axis is aligned parallel or perpendicular to the board axis. That is, the wheel position shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are both considered equilibrium positions. Having the wheels axis aligned parallel to the board axis, as in FIG. 9B, allows the user to perform various tricks that would not be possible using a regular skateboard wherein the wheel axis is aligned perpendicular to the board axis.

Bearings

[0040] The skateboard comprises several bearings to allow rotation and minimize friction between the moving and non-moving parts. Referring to FIG. 7B, in the space between the elliptical disk cam 46 and the truck baseplate 52, which are the moving parts, and the stationary underplate 20, there are several bearings. In the preferred embodiment, each end of the skateboard comprises two axle bearings 80, two upper thrust bearings 82, two lower thrust bearings 84, and two bearing seats 86 for supporting the bearings. Alternate bearing arrangements and types could also be used, as would be known to one skilled in the art.

Operation

[0041] In operation, a user can stand on top the skateboard and propel and steer the skateboard in a conventional manner when the footplate truck assembly is in the locked position. When the user's feet are located in a specific area on the footplate, such as in engagement with the bindings, the footplate truck assemblies unlock and the user can freely rotate the footplate truck assemblies in either direction by applying a rotational force on the footplate and/or bindings. The user can simultaneously independently rotate each footplate truck assembly. This rotational control increases the skateboard's maneuverability and makes it possible for the user to perform many complex slide, grind, flip and whip rotation and combination tricks that would not be possible on a conventional skateboard. When the user removes their foot from the bindings, the footplate assembly automatically returns to an equilibrium position via the alignment mechanism, and the footplate assembly then locks to prevent the footplate assembly from rotating out of the equilibrium position. As previously described, there may be one or more equilibrium positions.

[0042] Further Embodiments

[0043] In further embodiments, other sizes and shapes of footplates may be used. Specifically, in a second embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, the footplates 34, 36 are symmetrical flat discs. The outer portions 36a of the disc-shaped footplates extend away from the board deck in order to provide the user leverage for performing tricks.

[0044] In other embodiments, the footplates may not be identical and one footplate, particularly the footplate at the rear of the board, may be slightly larger than the front footplate to provide additional leverage for jumping.

[0045] The rotatable footplate truck assembly can be used for other devices, particularly human locomotion devices, such as a scooter that can be steered with rotatable footplates. They can also be modified and used for other board sports, such as wakeboards, snowboards or surfboards where the rotatable footplates manipulate sections of the board or fins instead of wheel assemblies.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art.