One piece Flexible Skateboard

Abstract

A flexible skateboard may include a pair of direction casters mounted for steering rotation on a flexible skateboard, twistable for propulsion. One or more vertical wall supports may be provided to resist bowing. Centering spring arrangements including range or rotation limitations such as hard stops may be included. One or two dual wheel assemblies may be exchanged for the single wheel assemblies for ease or riding or learning how to ride. One piece skateboard bodies may be formed by rigidly connecting together multiple pieces of the same or similar wooden or plastic molded parts to form a bridge like connecting member having increased structural rigidity and strength for its weight.

1 . A skateboard, comprising:
 a skateboard platform of flexible material;   a vertical support affixed to the platform to resist bowing from the weight of a rider; and   a pair of wheels, each supporting one end of the platform and mounted for rotation about a steering axis and about a rotational axis;   wherein twisting of the platform ends in opposite directions by the rider propels the skateboard.   
     
     
         2 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the vertical support is a vertical wall extending below the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The skateboard of  claim 2  wherein the vertical support extends along a periphery of the platform. 
     
     
         4 . The skateboard of  claim 3  wherein the vertical support is a wall extending along the entire periphery of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The skateboard of  claim 1 , wherein the steering axis of one wheel is at an acute angle to a surface of the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The skateboard of  claim 1 , wherein the steering axis of each wheel is at an acute angle to a surface of the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The skateboard of  claim 1 , wherein the steering axis of each wheel is at the same acute angle to the surface of the platform. 
     
     
         8 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the rotational axis of one wheel is a first distance from the steering axis of that wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the rotational axis of each wheel is at a distance from the steering axis of said each wheel. 
     
     
         10 . The skateboard of  claim 9 , wherein the rotational axis of each wheel is at the same distance from the steering axis of said each wheel. 
     
     
         11 . The skateboard of  claim 1  further comprises:
 a spring resisting steering of one of the wheels about the steering axis thereof so that the one of the wheels can be centered by the spring. 
 
     
     
         12 . The skateboard of  claim 11  wherein the spring is mounted around the steering axis. 
     
     
         13 . The skateboard of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a pair of stops fixedly mounted to the platform; and 
 at least one limit stop mounted for steering rotation with the first or second wheel to prevent rotation of said wheel beyond a preset limit. 
 
     
     
         14 . The skateboard of  claim 1  further comprising:
 additional vertical supports below the platform. 
 
     
     
         15 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the flexible material is molded plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the wall and platform are formed of the same material. 
     
     
         17 . The skateboard of  claim 1  wherein the flexible material is wood. 
     
     
         18 . The skateboard of  claim 17  wherein the wall and platform are formed of the same material. 
     
     
         19 . A skateboard, comprising:
 a flexible, molded plastic skateboard;   a vertical support molded to and extending below the platform, the vertical support resisting bowing from the weight of a rider and resisting twisting by the rider; and   a pair of wheels, each supporting one end of the platform and mounted for steering rotation about a steering axis at an acute axis to the platform and for rotation about a rotational axis at a distance from the steering axis so that twisting of the platform ends in opposite directions by the rider propels the skateboard.   
     
     
         20 . The skateboard of  claim 19  wherein the vertical support is a vertical wall extending below the platform along a periphery thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The skateboard of  claim 20  further comprises:
 a spring resisting steering rotation of one of the wheels to center the steering rotation of the one of the wheels when not in contact with the ground. 
 
     
     
         22 . The skateboard of  claim 21  further comprising:
 a spring resisting steering rotation of each of the wheels to center the steering rotation of each of the wheels when not in contact with the ground. 
 
     
     
         23 . The skateboard of  claim 21  wherein the spring is mounted around the steering axis. 
     
     
         24 . The skateboard of  claim 23  further comprising:
 a pair of stops fixedly mounted to the platform; and 
 at least one limit stop mounted for steering rotation with one of the wheels to prevent steering rotation of said wheel beyond a preset limit.