KIT, AND A RIDEABLE BOARD

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a frictional surface product, a method for applying a frictional surface to a rideable board, a kit, and a rideable board.

It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to skateboards. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is suitable for use with other rideable recreational boards or devices such as scooters, surfboards, snowboards, sandboards, wakeboards, wakeskates and the like.

Background

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Skaters apply a layer of grip material to the deck of skateboards to add both friction and traction to the skateboard. This enables the skater to stand on an otherwise slippery surface of the skateboard and control the skateboard during manoeuvres.

However, over time, the grip will become smooth and slippery from use. This is mostly from constantly standing on the board with high friction rubber soled shoes.

To overcome this problem, skaters usually have to completely remove the existing grip material and apply a new sheet of grip material to the deck of the skateboard, which can be a difficult task, or buy a new skateboard.

The majority of prior art skateboard grip materials are comprised of a polymer film (for example polyester) with a layer of abrasive aggregate material (for example, crushed glass, silicon carbide or aluminium oxide) suspended in a hardened adhesive compound (for example, epoxy). It is very similar to the texture of sandpaper. The sheet of material has a film of paper-backed adhesive underneath. The skater removes the paper backing and applies the grip material to their skateboard deck. The skater then uses a knife to trim away excess material around the edge of the deck. Also, more recently, some skateboard manufacturers are applying the aggregate material and hardened adhesive compound directly to the deck of the skateboard as part of the skateboard manufacturing process (and thus avoiding the polymer film layer, and the need for the skater to install the grip themselves).

Some limitations of current grip tape include:

• When the grip material becomes smooth and slippery, or damaged, the user must go through the difficult task of removing the old grip material, in order to install new material. Or, if the skateboard is older, the user may decide removing the material is not worth the effort, so they buy a new skateboard deck instead.

• Currently there are only limited methods available for skaters to replenish the friction of their existing grip material after it has become smooth and slippery or damaged.

• Currently there are only limited grip materials available that are able to be installed over the top of an existing grip material.

• The majority of grip materials are a solid black colour, and any graphic artwork is printed on top of the material. This means that the artwork wears off quickly, as the grip wears down.

• The choices for the base material (for example, polyester film) available for use between the paper-backed tape and the adhesive compound are very limited.

• Some skaters prefer grip material with a high coefficient of friction, whereas other skaters prefer lower coefficient of friction. This depends on their skating style. Currently, there are only limited products that allow skaters to customise the level of friction when installing a new grip material.

• When the aggregate material and hardened adhesive compound are applied directly to the deck of the skateboard, it can be difficult to renew the grip if it has been worn away in some local areas only. Current grip tapes are designed to adhere to clean, flat surfaces, without any grip currently in place. Another significant disadvantage of current grip tapes available for skateboards is that they are prone to tearing, particularly at the edge of the skateboard. Tearing at the edge of the skateboard can occur due to manoeuvres executed by the rider. As the grip tape generally has the strength of paper or similar, once a small tear occurs at the edge of the skateboard, the tear progressively worsens, particularly due to the rider's feet coming into regular contact with the tear during use.

Furthermore, there have been recent trends to provide skateboards which are substantially longer (i.e. between 1 to 2 metres) than normal conventional skateboards, typically referred to as longboards. One perceived advantage of longboards is that they provide a significant amount of flex in the deck which particular riders find appealing. However, due to the amount of flex in the deck of the longboard, and due to the brittle nature of current grip tapes on the market, it has been found that the applied grip tape actually separates from the deck during the flexing motion, which can lead to tearing of the grip tape. There have been attempts to provide a removable cover for skateboards to allow the rider to place their feet on the surface of the cover rather than directly on the deck of the skateboard. Generally such covers are held to the skateboard using a rip cord, elastic material, or the like which allow the cover to be easily readily removed from the skateboard. However, such removable covers are expected to slide due to the amount of force that the rider applies to the board, particularly when executing manoeuvres. Thus, removable covers are not seen as a viable alternative to addressing current issues experienced with grip tape.

There is therefore a need for a new frictional surface for a rideable board, a method for applying a frictional surface to a rideable board, and a rideable board which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages. Summary

In a first aspect there is provided a method of applying a frictional surface to a rideable board, wherein the method includes adhering a fabric providing a frictional surface to a deck of the rideable board.

In certain embodiments, the method includes adhering an aggregate material to a rideable surface of the fabric thereby defining the frictional surface. In certain embodiments, the method includes adhering the aggregate material to the rideable surface of the fabric using a liquid adhesive.

In certain embodiments, the method includes fraying at least some of a perimeter edge of the fabric after adhering to the deck of the rideable board.

In certain embodiments, the rideable board includes wheel mountings, wherein the method includes removing the wheel mountings to the deck prior to adhering the fabric to the deck, then subsequently reinstalling the wheel mountings to deck after the fabric has adhered to the deck.

In certain embodiments, the method includes at least partially adhering the fabric to the deck using a pressure sensitive adhesive.

In certain embodiments, the method includes at least partially adhering the fabric to the deck using a liquid adhesive.

In certain embodiments, the fabric is hemp.

In certain embodiments, the fabric is cotton.

In a second aspect there is provided a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board, wherein the frictional surface product includes:

a fabric layer having a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface;

an adhesive layer which is adjacent to the second surface of the fabric layer relative to the first surface; and

a removable backing layer which is removably adhered to the adhesive layer, wherein the removable backing layer is able to be removed from the adhesive layer such that the frictional surface product is able be adhered to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer.

In certain embodiments, the first surface of the fabric layer has adhered thereto an aggregate material to provide the frictional surface.

In certain embodiments, the frictional surface product includes a liner layer having a first surface directly adhered to the second surface of the fabric, and a second surface providing the adhesive layer.

In certain embodiments, the liner layer is a synthetic rubber material. In certain embodiments, the fabric layer includes one or more frictional regions which provide a higher coefficient of friction compared to a remaining portion of the fabric layer.

In certain embodiments, the fabric layer is a woven material, the fabric layer includes a first diameter thread of woven material defining the frictional regions of the fabric layer, and a second diameter thread of woven material defining the remaining portion of the fabric layer, wherein the first diameter and second diameter are different.

In certain embodiments, the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. In certain embodiments, a first aggregate material is applied to the frictional areas of the fabric layer and a second aggregate material is applied to the remaining portion of the fabric area, wherein the first aggregate material provides a higher coefficient of friction compared to the second aggregate material.

In a third aspect there is provided a rideable board having adhered thereto a frictional surface product according to the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board, wherein the method includes:

providing a fabric layer having a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface;

providing an adhesive layer which is adjacent to the second surface of the fabric layer relative to the first surface; and

providing a removable backing layer which is removably adhered to the adhesive layer, wherein the removable backing layer is able to be removed from the adhesive layer such that the frictional surface product is able be adhered to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer.

In certain embodiments, the method includes:

directly adhering the fabric layer to a first surface of a liner layer; and

applying the adhesive layer to an opposable second surface of the liner layer.

In a fifth aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board, wherein the method includes:

providing a fabric layer having a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface; and

adhering a first surface of a liner layer to the second surface of the fabric layer, wherein a second surface of the liner has an adhesive layer with a removable backing layer, wherein the removable backing layer is able to be removed from the adhesive layer such that the frictional surface product is able be adhered to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer. In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the method includes adhering an aggregate material to the first surface of the fabric layer.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the method includes adhering the aggregate material to the first surface of the fabric layer using a liquid adhesive.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, a mixture of aggregate material and liquid adhesive is applied to the first surface of the fabric layer. In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the method includes applying the liquid adhesive to the first surface of the fabric layer followed by applying the aggregate material to the first surface of the fabric layer.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the liquid adhesive that adheres the aggregate material to the first surface at least partially and simultaneously adheres the fabric material to the liner layer.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the method includes providing the fabric layer including one or more frictional regions which provide a higher coefficient of friction compared to a remaining portion of the fabric layer.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the fabric layer includes a first diameter thread of woven material defining the frictional regions of the fabric layer, and a second diameter thread of woven material defining the remaining portion of the fabric layer, wherein the first diameter and second diameter are different.

In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the method includes applying a first aggregate material to the frictional areas of the fabric layer and applying a second aggregate material to the remaining portion of the fabric area, wherein the first aggregate material provides a higher coefficient of friction compared to the second aggregate material. In certain embodiments of the fourth and fifth aspect, the fabric layer is hemp.

In a sixth aspect there is provided a kit for applying a frictional surface to a rideable board, wherein the kit includes:

a fabric providing a frictional surface; and

a pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the fabric to a deck of the rideable board.

In certain embodiments, the kit includes an aggregate material for applying to a rideable surface of the fabric thereby defining the frictional surface. In certain embodiments, the kit includes a liquid adhesive for adhering the aggregate material to the rideable surface of the fabric.

In certain embodiments, the liquid adhesive at least partially adheres the fabric to the deck. In certain embodiments, the kit includes a tool for fraying at least some of a perimeter edge of the fabric after adhering to the deck of the rideable board.

In certain embodiments, the fabric is hemp. In certain embodiments, the fabric is cotton.

Other embodiments of the above mentioned broad aspects will be realised throughout the description of the example embodiments. Brief Description of the Drawings

An example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but non- limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows a top down perspective view of a top surface of an example of a skateboard with the frictional surface kit installed;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the installed kit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the installed kit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an underneath view of the installed kit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the installed kit of Figure 1 along line B-B shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the installed kit of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the installed kit of Figure 1 along line A-A shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 shows a magnified portion D of the installed kit of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a magnified portion C of the installed kit of Figure 5; Figure 10 shows a top view of the tape and fabric of the frictional surface kit;

Figure 1 1 shows the liquid adhesive premixed with aggregate that may be included in the frictional surface kit; Figure 12 shows an alternate example of the premixed liquid adhesive of Figure 1 1 where liquid adhesive is provided with separate aggregate; Figure 13 shows some optional tools that may be included in the frictional surface kit;

Figure 14 shows a flowchart representing an example method of installing a frictional surface to a rideable board;

Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of an example frictional surface product;

Figure 16 shows a flowchart representing an example method of manufacturing a frictional surface product;

Figure 17 shows a flowchart representing another example method of manufacturing a frictional surface product; Figure 18 shows a top view of an example rideable board having installed thereon an example frictional surface product including a plurality of frictional regions; and

Figure 19 illustrates a perspective top view of an example rideable board having installed thereon an example frictional surface including frayed edges.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 10 to 13 there is illustrated an example of a kit for applying a frictional surface on a skateboard 1. Figure 1 shows an illustrated example of a skateboard 1 after installation of the kit.

The kit includes pressure sensitive adhesive which can be provided in the form of double- sided-tape 15 that is applied to the deck 4 of a skateboard 1. The double-sided-tape may cover the entire deck surface. Fabric 16 is then adhered to the installed tape 1 1. The fabric 16 can be provided in the form of sheet. The term "fabric" is used throughout the specification to include flexible woven materials consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres referred to as thread or yarn. The fabric is a textile including material made from interlacing fibres. The term "fabric" is used throughout this specification to exclude non-woven materials such as paper, card or the like.

Holes for the screws 9 are formed in the installed fabric 3 using the skewer 22. The double sided tape may be applied as a number of sheets or strips or in a single sheet which covers the entire deck. In this instance, two opposing backing layers are provided on the double- sided-tape. Alternatively, the single sheet may be provided in the form of a roll wherein only a single backing layer is present.

If additional friction is required, a liquid adhesive 18 is then applied to the installed fabric 3. In one form, the liquid adhesive can be painted onto the installed fabric using the paintbrush 20, although other means of application such as a spray bottle are possible. The liquid adhesive 18 can have the aggregate 19 mixed in by the installer during application using the stirring stick 21, or it may be provided in a premixed form 17. In an alternative embodiment, the installer may distribute the aggregate over the deck of the board 4 which has the wet coat of liquid adhesive 18 already applied. The installer may distribute the aggregate evenly. Alternatively, areas of the deck which require more or less friction for the rider may receive more of less aggregate material from the installer. Additionally, different sized aggregate material may be used for different sections of the board to provide varying coefficients of friction over the deck. Multiple coats of the liquid adhesive 18 may be required depending on the porosity of the fabric 16. The overhanging edges of the installed fabric 3 may be frayed by the installer using a pick 23 as illustrated in Figure 19. The frayed overhanging edges 1900 can provide protection to the edges of the skateboard 1 when the rider performs manoeuvres where the edge of the deck may come into contact with the ground surface. In addition, the frayed overhanging edges 1900 provide an aesthetic appeal.

The method of installation of frictional surface is now described in relation to Figure 14. In particular, at step 1410, the method includes the installer removing screws 9 that secure the wheel mountings (ie. trucks 10) and wheels 8 to the skateboard deck 4. At step 1420, the method optionally includes the installer removing at least some of the existing grip material from the deck. However, it will be appreciated that the frictional surface can be installed over existing grips.

At step 1430, the method includes the installer removing the backing paper from one side of the double-sided-tape 15, and placing the tape (adhesive side down) onto the skateboard deck 4. As will be appreciated, other forms of adhesive could be used in order to secure the fabric to the deck.

At step 1440, the method includes the installer using a cutting device such as a sharp knife to trim the tape 15 back to the start of the radius 14 on the top side of the deck 4. The radius 14 is the point where the top 25 meets the side 24 of the deck 4. The tape 15 is trimmed around the entire perimeter of the deck 4. This results in the installed tape now being a reduced size 11. At step 1450, the method includes the installer cutting small holes 5 in the installed tape 1 1 to allow the screws 9 to pass therethrough. At step 1460, the method includes the installer removing the remaining backing paper from the installed double-sided-tape 11. It will be appreciated that the double-sided-tape 15 may be replaced with a liquid adhesive which is applied to the upper surface of the top 25 of the deck 4.

At step 1460, the method includes the installer adhering the fabric 16 to the installed tape 1 1. An artwork may already be pre-pririted on the fabric 16 or can be hand drawn onto the fabric by the installer. The artwork may still be visible when the entire kit installation is completed. Note that the installed fabric 3 may extend beyond the edges of the skateboard deck 4. At step 1470, the method includes the installer using the pointed end of the skewer 22 to form holes 5 in the installed fabric 3 to allow the screws 9 to pass through the installed fabric 3. At this point of the method, the installer may not be required to provide any additional frictional surface to the fabric in the event that the rider is satisfied that the fabric provides a sufficient amount of friction for their particular requirements. This may particularly be the case in the instance that the user wishes to utilise the board for barefoot riding. In the event that no aggregate material is required, the method proceeds to step 1495. In the event that the rider requires additional friction to that provided by the fabric material, the method can continue onwards to step 1480.

At step 1480, the method includes the installer applying a liquid adhesive and aggregate material to the upper surface of the installed fabric. In one form, the liquid adhesive may be applied, then subsequently the aggregate material may be applied to the adhesive whilst wet. A jar having small holes in the top which contains the aggregate 19 may be used to evenly distribute the aggregate material. The installer may then apply multiple coats of adhesive 18 to further capture the aggregate within the applied adhesive 2. In another form, the liquid adhesive and aggregate may be provided in a premixed form, wherein the mixture is applied in a single step to the upper surface of the fabric. In this instance, the stirring stick 21 may be used to stir the mixture to create an even distribution of aggregate material throughout the mixture prior to application to the fabric. In an alternate form, the aggregate and liquid adhesive may be provided separately, wherein the installer can customise the amount of aggregate to mix with the liquid adhesive such that the mixture is applied to the upper surface of the fabric. The installer can use a stirring stick 21 to mix the preferred ratio of aggregate material within the liquid adhesive based on the required level of friction.

When applying either the mixture 17 or the liquid 18, the installer should be careful to ensure that the edge 13 of the applied mixture 2 aligns with the radius 14 that the installed tape 1 1 was trimmed back to in the event that the installer wishes to fray the perimeter of the frictional surface. This is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. While the edge 12 of the installed fabric 3 may extend beyond the radius 14 or the edge of the deck 24, both the installed tape 1 1 and the applied mixture 2 should be installed such that they do not extend further than the radius 14. Otherwise the fabric will be unable to fray.

Step 1480 may be repeated a plurality of times if required depending on the desired level of friction that is required.

At step 1490, the method optionally includes the installer trimming back the edge 12 of the installed fabric 3. The installer may trim it back in line with the edge 24 or the radius 14. Alternatively, the installer may trim the installed fabric 3 back such that the edge 12 of the installed fabric 3 extends beyond the edge 24 of the skateboard 1. Choosing this installation option will allow the fabric 3 to fray between the edge of the applied mixture 13 and the edge 12 of the installed fabric 3. To advance the fraying of the installed fabric 3, the installer can use the pick 23 to unweave the edge of installed fabric 3 between 12 and 13. At step 1495, the method includes the installer installing the screws 9 that secure the trucks 10 and wheels 8 to the skateboard deck 4. This step is generally performed once the liquid adhesive has dried. The installation is complete.

In the event that the frictional surface has worn away during use from the skateboard 1, it is possible to replenish the frictional surface. In particular, the screws can be removed (step 1410), additional liquid adhesive and aggregate material can be applied (step 1480), and the screws can be reinstalled (step 1495) once the liquid adhesive and aggregate material has dried. Referring to Figure 15 there is shown a cross-sectional view of a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board, The frictional surface product is a pre- fabricated product which the installer can attach to the board. In particular, the frictional surface product 1500 includes a fabric layer 1510, an adhesive layer 1520 and a removable backing layer 1530. The fabric layer 1510 has a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface which is adjacent the adhesive layer relative to the first surface. The removable backing layer 1530 is removably adhered to the adhesive layer. The backing layer 1530 is able to be removed from the adhesive layer, wherein the installer separates the backing layer 1530 from the adhesive layer 1520, such that the frictional surface product is able be adhesively applied to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer.

In particular forms, the first surface of the fabric layer has adhered thereto an aggregate material 1540 to provide the frictional surface. The aggregate material may be adhered to the fabric using a liquid adhesive. Different granular sized aggregate material may be provided in various areas of the fabric material to thereby provide varying degrees of friction for the rider. In particular, areas of the deck which receive most wear from the rider may have aggregate material which provides a higher coefficient of friction compared to areas of the deck which do not receive as much wear from the rider. As shown in Figure 15, the frictional surface product can include a liner layer 1550 having a first surface directly adhered to the second surface of the fabric, and a second surface providing the adhesive layer. In one form, the liner layer 1550 can be provided in the form of a synthetic rubber material in order to provide flexibility in the event that the deck flexes so as to avoid the frictional surface product 1500 separating from the deck.

In one form, the fabric layer 1510 can include one or more frictional regions which provide a higher coefficient of friction compared to a remaining portion of the fabric layer, as shown in Figure 18. In particular, the fabric layer is a woven material, such that a first diameter thread of woven material defines the frictional regions 1800 of the fabric layer, and a second diameter thread of woven material defines the remaining portion of the fabric layer. The first diameter and second diameter of the threads are differently sized, thereby defining different coefficients of friction. In one form, the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. In another embodiment, different woven materials may be used for various portions of the fabric, wherein a first woven material is used for the one or more frictional regions 1800 having a higher coefficient of friction compared to a second woven material used for the remaining portions of the fabric. In another form, the first diameter thread may be orientated in a first direction in the woven material and the second diameter thread may be orientated in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

In another embodiment, a first aggregate material may be provided at the frictional areas of the fabric layer and a second aggregate material is applied to the remaining portion of the fabric area. The first aggregate material provides a higher coefficient of friction compared to the second aggregate material.

It will be appreciated that a rideable board can be provided which has the frictional surface product preinstalled.

Referring to Figure 16 there is flowchart representing an example method of manufacturing a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board. It will be appreciated that the frictional surface product is a pre-fabricated product for installation on the board by the installer. In particular, at step 1610, the method includes providing a fabric layer having a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface. At step 1620, the method includes providing an adhesive layer which is adjacent to the second surface of the fabric layer relative to the first surface. At step 1630, the method includes providing a removable backing layer which is removably adhered to the adhesive layer. The removable backing layer is able to be removed from the adhesive layer such that the frictional surface product is able be adhered to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer.

In one form, the method 1600 includes directly adhering the fabric layer to a first surface of a liner layer and applying the adhesive layer to an opposable second surface of the liner layer. Referring to Figure 17 there is shown a flowchart representing an example method of manufacturing a frictional surface product for installation on a deck of a rideable board. Again, it will be appreciated that the frictional surface product is a pre-fabricated product for installation on the board by the installer In particular, at step 1710, the method 1700 includes providing a fabric layer having a first surface providing a frictional surface, and a second surface. At step 1720, the method includes adhering a first surface of a liner layer to the second surface of the fabric layer, wherein a second surface of the liner has an adhesive layer with a removable backing layer. The removable backing layer is able to be removed from the adhesive layer such that the frictional surface product is able be adhered to the deck of the rideable board via the adhesive layer.

In methods 1600 and 1700, a roll of liner may be drawn and adhesively applied to the fabric drawn from a roll of fabric. The liner may already have an adhesive layer and removable backing, although the adhesive and backing layer may be applied subsequently when the liner and fabric are adhered together.

In methods 1600 and 1700, the aggregate material can be adhered to the first surface of the fabric layer. In particular, the aggregate material can be adhered to the first surface of the fabric layer using a liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive may be sprayed onto the first surface of the fabric layer using a first spraying device and then subsequently the aggregate material may be sprayed onto the adhesive layer using a second spraying device. In another form, a mixture of the aggregate material and liquid adhesive can be applied to the first surface of the fabric layer. The mixture may be applied using a single spraying device. The liquid adhesive applied to the first surface of the fabric layer followed by applying the aggregate material to the first surface of the fabric layer. Due to the porosity of the fabric material, the liquid adhesive that adheres the aggregate material to the first surface at least partially and simultaneously adheres the fabric material to the liner layer. As discussed above, the fabric layer may be provided with one or more frictional regions 1800 which provide a higher coefficient of friction compared to a remaining portion of the fabric layer. In addition, different aggregate materials may be applied to the fabric thereby defining the one or more frictional regions. In particular, methods 1600 and 1700 include applying a first aggregate material to the frictional areas of the fabric layer and applying a second aggregate material to the remaining portion of the fabric area. The first aggregate material provides a higher coefficient of friction compared to the second aggregate material.

In one particular form, the fabric material can be provided in the form of hemp. It has been found that hemp provides ideal mechanical properties for the use of providing an improved frictional surface in the instance of barefoot riding as well as a carrier for aggregate material should additional friction be required. It will be appreciated that other types of woven fabric may also be used such as cotton and the like.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of fabric provides a number of advantages over known grip tapes. In particular, the fabric material has been found to minimise tearing which is typically experienced with known grip tapes. In the event that the fabric material comes into contact with the ground or another object which would typically result in tearing of the edge of known grip tapes, the fabric material merely frays and does not progressively worsen as quickly as known grip tapes. The frayed edges 1900 created by the fabric material additionally create a layer of protection for the deck when coming into contact with the ground surface or other objects. Furthermore, the fabric material provides sufficient elasticity such that when applied to rideable boards such as longboards, the fabric does not separate from the deck during moments when deck undergoes a flexing motion.

As has been noted, it has been convenient to describe the frictional surface product, installation method and kit in relation to skateboards. However it will be appreciated that the frictional surface, installation method and kit are suitable for use with other rideable recreational boards or devices such as scooters, surfboards, snowboards, sandboards, wakeboards, wakeskates and the like. Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, a typical skateboard shape has been shown for illustration purposes only. However, the kit is designed such that it can be installed onto a multitude of rideable board shapes and sizes.