A brakeboard is a

skateboard A skateboard is a type of sports equipment used for skateboarding. It is usually made of a specially designed 7–8-ply maple plywood deck and has polyurethane wheels attached to the underside by a pair of skateboarding trucks. The skateboard ...

fitted with a specialised truck assembly that includes a braking mechanism.

History

The Brakeboard was first invented in 1999 by Ben Newman of Western Australia. From 2001 the first version was manufactured and sold worldwide. In 2010 the Australian Government provided an R&D grant which enabled the development of a new iteration which was released in Melbourne in January 2013.

Features

The cone brakes, contained within the rear axle assembly or truck, can be attached to the rear of any skateboard deck. It is however, intended mainly for longboards. It is activated by a foot pedal located on the surface of the board. The brake allows the rider to control their speed on a downhill run and bring the board to a safe stop. A patent has been granted in the USA. Brakeboard’s trade name is registered with Australian and US authorities.

Awards

The original Brakeboard by Ben Newman was Western Australian winner and national finalist in the

Yellow Pages The yellow pages are Telephone directory, telephone directories of business, businesses, organized by category rather than alphabetically by business name, in which advertising is sold. The directories were originally printed on yellow paper, ...

Business Ideas Award in 2001 and a sector winner on the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...

’s

The New Inventors ''The New Inventors'' was an Australian television program, that was broadcast on ABC1 and hosted by broadcaster and comedian James O'Loghlin. Each episode featured three Australian inventions and short video tape packages. IP Australia, a supp ...

program 2006 Newman was also a runner-up to the winner of the inaugural ''WA Inventor of the Year'' competition in 2006, though there was some controversy about the eligibility of award applications.''WA Inventor of the Year Award - Eligibility of Ben Newman''
(Hansard -

Parliament of Western Australia The Parliament of Western Australia is the bicameralism, bicameral legislature of the Australian states and territories of Australia, state of Western Australia, which constitutes the legislative branch of the state's political system. The parl ...

, 29 August 2006)

References

{{skateboarding Skateboards Australian inventions