Convertible caster board

Abstract

A caster board can include a front platform section connected by a torsion bar or other neck portion to a rear platform section. The caster board can be convertible between a first configuration in which the caster board has three wheels, and a second configuration in which the caster board has two wheels. In the first configuration, the rear platform section can be supported by two wheels laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the caster board. In the second configuration, the rear platform section can be supported by one wheel aligned with a longitudinal axis of the caster board. The rear platform section can include at least three mounting locations configured to have caster assemblies installed therein.

1 . A method of converting a caster board between a first configuration and a second configuration, the caster board comprising a first platform section connected by a neck section to a second platform section, the method comprising:
 removing a caster assembly installed at a first mounting location on the first platform section;   installing a caster assembly at a second mounting location on the first platform section, the first and second mounting locations laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the caster board by different distances.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein installing a caster assembly at the second mounting location on the first platform section comprises installing the caster assembly removed from the first mounting location on the first platform section. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising installing a second caster assembly at a third mounting location on the first platform section, the third mounting location offset laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the caster board by the same distance as the second mounting location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second mounting location is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the caster board. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first platform section comprises a rear section of the caster board, and wherein the second platform section comprises a front section of the caster board. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the caster assembly installed at the first mounting location on the first platform section comprises:
 accessing, from a top side of the caster board, a fastener connected to a king bolt of the caster assembly;   removing the fastener from the king bolt via the top side of the caster board; and   removing the caster assembly from the caster board via a bottom side of the caster board.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first platform section is configured to receive a foot of a rider, and wherein removing the caster assembly installed at the first mounting location on the first platform section comprises:
 removing a fastener from a king bolt of the caster assembly; and   removing the king bolt from a through-hole that extends between a top of the first platform section and a bottom of the first platform section.   
     
     
         8 . A convertible caster board assembly comprising:
 a first platform section configured to receive a first foot of a rider, the first platform section comprising a front wheel mount;   a first caster mounted to the front wheel mount, the first caster comprising a first wheel;   a second platform section configured to receive a second foot of a rider, the second platform section comprising:
 a bottom comprising a first rear wheel mount, a second rear wheel mount, and a third rear wheel mount; 
 a top comprising a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess; and 
 a first through-hole connecting the first rear wheel mount with the first recess, a second through-hole connecting the second rear wheel mount with the second recess, and a third through-hole connecting the third rear wheel mount with the third recess; 
   a second caster mounted to one of the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts, the second caster comprising a second wheel; and   a twistable neck connecting the first and second platform sections, the neck narrower than each of the first and second platforms sections.   
     
     
         9 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts are linearly aligned. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a third second caster mounted another of the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first rear wheel mount, a second rear wheel mount, and a third rear wheel mount are included in a generally planar angled mounting surface. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first recess, second recess, and third recess are discrete depressions. 
     
     
         13 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second caster further comprises a king bolt, the second caster configured to be mounted to the first rear wheel mount or to the second rear wheel mount such that an upper end of the king bolt extends into the first recess or the second recess. 
     
     
         14 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts each comprise a non-circular depression surrounding a circular aperture. 
     
     
         15 . A convertible caster board assembly comprising:
 a first platform section configured to receive a first foot of a rider, the first platform section comprising a front wheel mount;   a first caster mounted to the front wheel mount, the first caster comprising a first wheel;   a second platform section configured to receive a second foot of a rider, the second platform section comprising:
 a bottom comprising a first rear wheel mount, a second rear wheel mount, and a third rear wheel mount; and 
 a top comprising a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess; 
   a second caster comprising a second wheel and a king bolt, the second caster configured to be mounted to the first rear wheel mount or to the second rear wheel mount such that an upper end of the king bolt extends into the first recess or the second recess;   a fastener connected to the upper end of the king bolt, the fastener accessible from the top of the second platform section; and   a twistable neck connecting the first and second platform sections, the neck narrower than each of the first and second platforms sections.   
     
     
         16 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts are linearly aligned. 
     
     
         17 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first recess, second recess, and third recess are discrete depressions. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a third second caster mounted another of the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts. 
     
     
         19 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first rear wheel mount, a second rear wheel mount, and a third rear wheel mount are included in a generally planar angled mounting surface. 
     
     
         20 . The convertible caster board assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first, second, and third rear wheel mounts each comprise a non-circular depression surrounding a circular aperture.