Swivel-Pin Skateboard Truck with Rubber Sleeve

The problem

The truck is the most stressed part of a skateboard: it carries the rider, takes the impacts and does the steering. A conventional truck is a casting plus a kingpin, pivot cup, two bushings, washers and a nut - more parts, more machining and more assembly than a children’s board, a beginner cruiser or a promotional board really needs. The patent itself points to the complexity of existing designs as the problem.

The solution

The patent builds a truck from simple, mostly stamped or turned parts:

1. A flat baseplate (1) bolts to the deck.
2. A vertical pin (3) passes through the baseplate and can turn in it. Its square head (20) sits in a larger square pocket (15), so the corners stop the turn at a set angle.
3. At the lower end, a clamp (4) - an open ring with two ears - grips the axle (5) in a groove (11). A cross pin (10) through the ears and the pin lets the axle rock left and right.
4. A rubber sleeve (6) on the pin sits between the baseplate and the clamp. When the rider leans, the clamp tilts and squeezes one side of the sleeve; when the rider straightens up, the sleeve pushes it back.
5. The cross-pin holes are vertical slots (9), so the deck can sink slightly against the sleeve on a bump and come back up.

Who it is for

• Ride-on and toy brands making kids’ skateboards, mini cruisers and balance boards.
• Board brands wanting a low-cost truck for entry-level complete boards.
• Sporting goods OEMs that make complete boards and want fewer parts per truck.

How it works

The main parts

Steering

1. The rider leans to one side.
2. The deck pushes down on one side of the rubber sleeve, and the axle tilts on the cross pin.
3. The tilted axle turns the wheels and the board carves; the pin can also swivel within its square stop.
4. Standing straight, the sleeve (and the optional return spring) brings the axle back to center.

Cushioning

Because the cross pin rides in vertical slots, a bump pushes the deck, baseplate and pin down a little against the rubber sleeve, and the sleeve lifts them back afterwards.

Applications

Kids’ skateboards

A simple, low-cost truck for small boards where easy turning matters more than tricks.

Mini cruisers and penny-style boards

Relaxed carving for short rides.

Balance and training boards

Boards for learning weight shift, where a soft self-centering truck helps.

Promotional and gift boards

Complete boards built to a price with fewer truck parts.

Where it is less suitable

• Street and park skating - tricks, grinds and hard landings need a forged or cast truck tested for those loads.
• Downhill and high speed - stability at speed needs a precisely tuned truck geometry.