Skateboard Deck Impact Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Skateboard decks made of laminated wood are vulnerable to wear and breakage, particularly around the truck bolt holes, and existing solutions to enhance strength and durability often increase weight and cost, while compromising the traditional feel and performance.
Innovation Solution
A skateboard deck constructed with multiple layers of wood, incorporating a fiber-reinforced composite impact support member with an ovoid shape that disperses impact forces, specifically placed in the truck mount zone to enhance durability without significantly affecting the deck's weight or feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If alternative materials and technologies (such as composite materials) are used to strengthen skateboard decks, then strength and durability are improved, but weight and cost increase, and the traditional feel and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by inserting impact support members only in specific high-stress zones (truck mount zones and impact zones) rather than making the entire deck from composite materials. This localized reinforcement provides strength where needed while keeping the rest of the deck as traditional wood, maintaining weight and feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials (fiber-reinforced polymers or carbon fiber) for the impact support members themselves, creating a hybrid structure where traditional wood layers are combined with localized composite reinforcement elements to achieve enhanced strength without full composite construction.
2Strength
If alternative materials and technologies are used to strengthen skateboard decks, then strength and durability are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By limiting composite material usage to small impact support members in specific zones rather than constructing the entire deck from expensive composites, the patent significantly reduces material costs while still providing strength enhancement where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the deck into traditional wood layers and localized composite reinforcement elements, allowing the majority of the deck to be manufactured using traditional, cost-effective wood lamination processes while adding minimal composite components.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wooden laminate decks are used, then the traditional feel and performance are maintained, but strength and durability are reduced due to vulnerability to wear and breakage around truck bolt holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains traditional wood construction for the overall deck feel while applying localized composite reinforcement specifically in the truck mount zones and impact zones where breakage occurs, preserving the traditional feel in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact support members are positioned in advance in high-stress zones to prevent breakage before it occurs. The members are installed during deck construction to provide preemptive reinforcement against future impacts and wear at critical locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly improves the durability and resistance to breakage around the truck mount zone while maintaining the traditional feel and performance of wooden decks, without substantial weight or cost increases.
Implementation Method 1
The impact support member disperses impact forces
Data Source
AI summary
A skateboard deck is formed of several layers pressed and bonded together. Apertures are formed through the bottom-most layers, and impact support members are arranged within the apertures. The impact support members are more rigid than the other portions of the skateboard deck, and provide localized impact support while allowing the remaining layers of the deck to retain their performance characteristics and feel while strengthening the most vulnerable areas of the deck.