Power system for skateboards

Abstract

In one or more arrangements, a powered system for skateboards is presented which has a base plate, a drive unit, a wheel assembly, and straps. In one arrangement, the system is connected to a skateboard utilizing straps such that the system may be easily attached to and removed from the skateboard. In one arrangement, the system has a single, centrally located wheel which causes the front wheels of the skateboard to be lifted off the ground. In this arrangement, the single wheel is curved in order to allow for turning of the skateboard when utilizing the system. In one arrangement, the wheel is caused to rotate by a motor and a battery used to provide electricity to motor.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A power system for a skateboard, the skateboard having a deck, the skateboard having a pair of trucks, the pair of trucks operably connected to the deck, the power system comprising:
 a drive unit;   wherein the drive unit is configured to operably connect to the skateboard by one or more straps;   wherein when the drive unit is connected to the skateboard, the drive unit is configured to provide powered movement to the skateboard.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps include a deck strap configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps include a truck strap configured to wrap around at least one of the pair of trucks. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the pair of trucks comprising a front truck and a rear truck;   a first strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the first strap is configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard;   a second strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the second strap is configured to wrap around the front truck;   a third strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the third strap is configured to wrap around the rear truck.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel assembly comprising a single wheel, wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly having a single wheel;   wherein the single wheel is curved such that the skateboard can turn; and   wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly having a single wheel;   wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit;   wherein a front truck of the pair of trucks has a set of front wheels; and   wherein when the power system is connected to the skateboard, the single wheel of the wheel assembly lifts the set of front wheels off the ground.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly;   the wheel assembly having a single wheel;   the wheel assembly having a wheel pulley;   the wheel pulley operably connected to the single wheel;   the drive unit having a motor;   the drive unit having a motor pulley;   the motor pulley operably connected to the motor;   wherein the motor pulley is operably connected to the wheel pulley via a belt; and   wherein when the motor is operated, the single wheel of the wheel assembly rotates, thereby causing movement of the skateboard.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is powered by a battery disposed within a battery housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   the one or more straps operably connected to the base plate;   a motor operably connected to the base plate; and   wherein the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   the one or more straps operably connected to the base plate;   a motor operably connected to the base plate;   the base plate having at least one compressible member on its top surface;   wherein the top surface of the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard; and   wherein the at least one compressible member is formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and is configured to securely hold the base plate in place.   
     
     
         12 . A power system for a skateboard, the skateboard having a deck, the skateboard having a front truck operably connected to the deck, the skateboard having a rear truck operably connected to the deck, the power system comprising:
 a drive unit;   a set of straps connected to the drive unit;   the set of straps including a first strap, a second strap, and a third strap;   wherein the first strap is configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard;   wherein the second strap is configured to wrap around the front truck of the skateboard;   wherein the third strap is configured to wrap around the rear truck of the skateboard;   wherein when the drive unit is attached to the skateboard, the drive unit is configured to provide powered movement to the skateboard.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly having a single wheel; and   wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly;   the wheel assembly having a single wheel;   wherein the single wheel is curved such that the skateboard can turn; and   wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly;   the wheel assembly having a single wheel;   wherein the wheel assembly is operably connected to the drive unit;   wherein the front truck has a set of front wheels; and   wherein when the power system is connected to the skateboard, the single wheel of the wheel assembly lifts the set of front wheels off the ground.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly;   the wheel assembly having a single wheel;   the wheel assembly having a wheel pulley;   the wheel pulley operably connected to the single wheel;   the drive unit having a motor;   the drive unit having a motor pulley;   the motor pulley operably connected to the motor;   wherein the motor pulley is operably connected to the wheel pulley via a belt; and   wherein when the motor is operated, the single wheel of the wheel assembly rotates, thereby causing movement of the skateboard.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the drive unit is powered by a battery contained in a battery housing. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   the set of straps operably connected to the base plate;   a motor operably connected to the base plate; and   wherein the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   the set of straps operably connected to the base plate;   a motor operably connected to the base plate;   the base plate having at least one compressible member on its top surface;   wherein the top surface of the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard; and   wherein the at least one compressible member is formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and is configured to securely hold the base plate in place.   
     
     
         20 . A power system for a skateboard, the skateboard having a deck, the skateboard having a front truck operably connected to the deck, the front truck having a set of front wheels, the skateboard having a rear truck operably connected to the deck, the rear truck having a set of rear wheels, the power system comprising:
 a drive unit;   a single wheel;   the single wheel operably connected to the drive unit;   wherein when the power system is operably connected to the skateboard, the single wheel lifts the set of front wheels off the ground;   wherein when the skateboard turns sharply, the front wheels contact the ground which increases stability of the skateboard; and   wherein when the drive unit is attached to the skateboard, the drive unit is configured to power the skateboard.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drive unit is operably connected to the skateboard by a set of straps. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a first strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the first strap is configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard;   a second strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the second strap is configured to wrap around the front truck;   a third strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the third strap is configured to wrap around the rear truck.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the single wheel is curved such that the skateboard can turn. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a wheel assembly;   the wheel assembly including the single wheel;   the wheel assembly having a wheel pulley;   the wheel pulley operably connected to the single wheel;   the drive unit having a motor;   the drive unit having a motor pulley;   the motor pulley operably connected to the motor;   wherein the motor pulley is operably connected to the wheel pulley via a belt; and   wherein when the motor is operated, the single wheel of the wheel assembly rotates, thereby causing movement of the skateboard.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   a set of straps operably connected to the base plate;   a motor operably connected to the base plate;   the base plate having at least one compressible member on its top surface;   wherein the top surface of the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard; and   wherein the at least one compressible member is formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and is configured to securely hold the base plate in place.   
     
     
         26 . A power system for a skateboard, the skateboard having a deck, the skateboard having a front truck operably connected to the deck, the skateboard having a rear truck operably connected to the deck, the power system comprising:
 a drive unit;   at least one wheel assembly operably connected to the drive unit;   wherein the at least one wheel assembly is positioned behind the front truck;   wherein the at least one wheel assembly is configured to be centered about a first side of the skateboard and a second side of the skateboard;   wherein when the drive unit is attached to the skateboard, the drive unit is configured to provide powered movement to the skateboard.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is operably connected to the skateboard via a set of straps. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is operably connected to the skateboard via a deck strap configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is operably connected to the skateboard via a truck strap configured to wrap around the front truck. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is operably connected to the skateboard via a truck strap configured to wrap around the rear truck. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a first strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the first strap is configured to wrap around the deck of the skateboard;   a second strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the second strap is configured to wrap around the front truck; and   a third strap connected to the drive unit and wherein the third strap is configured to wrap around the rear truck.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is configured to allow the skateboard to turn. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one wheel assembly is a first wheel assembly, and further comprising:
 a second wheel assembly operably coupled to the drive unit and wherein the second wheel assembly is coaxial with the first wheel assembly;   wherein the front truck has a set of front wheels; and   wherein when the power system is connected to the skateboard, the first and second wheel assemblies lifts the set of front wheels off the ground.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one wheel assembly is a first wheel assembly, and further comprising:
 a second wheel assembly operably coupled to the drive unit and wherein the second wheel assembly is coaxial with the first wheel assembly;   wherein the drive unit further comprises a drive truck rotatably coupled to a base plate of the drive unit and wherein the first and second wheel assemblies are coupled to first and second ends of the drive truck;   wherein the drive truck is configured to rotate when a deck of the skateboard leans such that the skateboard turns with the skateboard lean.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the drive unit is powered by a battery contained in a battery housing. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a base plate;   a set of straps operably connected to the base plate;   the base plate having at least one compressible member on its top surface;   wherein the top surface of the base plate is configured to be held within close and tight tolerances against a bottom surface of the deck of the skateboard; and   wherein the at least one compressible member is formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and is configured to securely hold the base plate in place.