A brakeboard is a

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

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. In August 2013, Brakeboard was accepted on the USA Kickstarter site for new ideas or inventions; one of the small number of Australian inventions to appear. It received support from more than 200 backers. In September 2014, a new version of the Brakeboard truck set was released featuring a removable pedal, additional colour choices and heavier-duty brake linings. A new wheel manufacturing process now includes moulded slots. In April 2015, Brakeboard introduced a new model (3.1) with air-cooled stainless steel rotors. There are also a number of other mechanical improvements. This new brake mechanism is designed for both street commuting and long downhill runs. The new 3.1 rotors can be retro-fitted to all earlier model Brakeboard trucks In August 2015 a carbon-fibre extension to the pedal was introduced to provide for those requiring more powerful brake action. In December 2015 a new model of Canadian maple decks was released. Completely assembled decks with Brakeboard trucks also include the carbon-fibre extension pedal. https://www.facebook.com/brakeboard/videos/1080304251982272/?theater

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 the longboard. 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. In April 2015, the cone brake was replaced with an air-cooled disk brake. The Brakeboard is sold as a box set containing both trucks and pedal mechanism. Existing wheels can be used with a small modification. Alternatively, a set of specially designed wheels is available. Any deck can be used (including drop-through) by drilling one hole for the pedal plunger. Brakeboard also have their own range of decks so the whole brake system, wheels and deck can be supplied completely assembled. Components and wheels are manufactured in China. Decks are manufactured in California. Distribution centres include

Shanghai Shanghai (; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flow ...

(China),

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

(USA) and

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

(Australia). 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 directories of businesses, organized by category rather than alphabetically by business name, in which advertising is sold. The directories were originally printed on yellow paper, as opposed to white pages for ...

Business Ideas Award in 2001 and a sector winner on the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...

’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 bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Western Australia, forming the legislative branch of the Government of Western Australia. The parliament consists of a lower house, the Legislative Ass ...

, 29 August 2006)

References

External links

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Direct Drive Electric Skateboard
{{skateboarding Skateboards