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A new method of steering a skateboard: There are two decks, a sturdy lower deck similiar to regular decks, and a thin, stiff one which overlays it. Sandwiched between the two are flexible fluid filled tubes which run in rows, and are connected by various valves to small pneumatic cylinders. The cylinders
in turn actuate a steering mechanism similiar to that used in automobiles, one on each end of the board. By leaning left, you put more pressure on the lines on that side, causing the cylinders to expand, and thus causing the board to turn in the direction you have leaned.
THE BENEFIT: The wheels can be mounted even with the board, resulting in a board which is only millimeters from the ground. This mechanism keeps the board from leaning, so it doesn't scrape the ground when you turn. You get a very low, very responsive skateboard. This makes pushing easier, as the height difference between your feet is minimal. It also lowers the center of gravity of the board, making it more stable in turns, and with the proper valving and modifications, could totally eliminate speed wobble.
Landyachtz®
http://www.landyachtz.com/basket_test.htm
Note truck mounting postitions. [Letsbuildafort, Oct 04 2004]
[link]
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While not pneumatic controlled, Landyachtz® brand lonboards offer very low, very responsive deck designs. Maybe a good test model. (see link) |
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Actually, air technically *is* a fluid, just not a liquid. |
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Toad, perhaps if they skated in a more 'high culture' fashion? Reminds me of an idea I had... |
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Well-thought out, technically savvy, seemingly workable. + from me. |
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Nice. This verges on the [parasitically] marketable. |
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A thought: Deluxe versions could have a laterally split upper deck with a separate aft steering mechanism so that the rear wheels could be counter-steered. Probably be brutally difficult to learn but, given the incredibly skillfull skateboard performances I have seen, it likely could be mastered. |
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With that mastery the repertoire could be considerably expanded. |
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Would this turning method actually work, though? Seems to me there's more to turning on a conventional board than just applying more pressure to one side than the other. It's an entire body leaning motion, altering the center of balance, not just a pressure change. |
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Surely that wouldn't achieve enough pressure differential across the deck surface to actually trigger a pneumatic mechanism. If it would, then I'd think the whole deck would be so sensitive to pressure changes as to make actually moving in a straight line the most difficult thing to achieve. |
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I agree that using just pneumatic lines would afford too little pressure and, even if that could be designed around, depending on the diameter of the lines, the range would be so small that the steering would be impossibly hard to control. |
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If the upper surface were attached to the lower surface with pivots, though, then different things might be possible. |
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By making the system purely hydraulic with plunger type actuation then I think that there'd be ample force available, particularly if the plungers were located just to the outsides of the upper surface pivots so that there'd be leverage available. If the system were progressive with user adjustable damping I think it could be made non-twitchy while still being quite responsive to leaning. |
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Adding pivots and rams beneath the upper surface adds to the deck height of the board, though, and some low CG advantage may be lost. Additionally, the other advantage the author mentions, having the two feet on nearly the same plane while pushing, may be eroded as well. |
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This is a fine idea, but I think it would be limited to use on ramps and in well mainted skate parks. |
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"Millimeters fromthe ground" sound like a recipe for disaster if skating in anything like urban conditions. |
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As far as the lines, I envisioned a space filling curve which would have higer volume than a straight single line. Not sure if this would help. A low deck would'nt be much of a problem on streets, because it's just a plane. It would slide along most obstacles, just like regular boards do. But it wouldn't have the trucks to catch on curbs and such. As long as you avoid gravel (which would stick under your wheels anyway) you should be okay. Imagine approaching a curb, just lifting the nose, and SLIDING UP the curb. Sweet.
Um, Toadinnov, you didn't say anything about the invention... |
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