BODY BOARD AND REINFORCING ELEMENT Field

The present invention relates to body boards for

recreational purposes, and elements for providing

reinforcement of them.

Background to the Invention

Body boards are a popular recreational and sporting product typically used for riding waves. They are usually constructed out of a dense foam outer shell surrounding a foam type core. It is common practice to also manufacture a reinforcing element called a "stringer" into the interior of the body board, to prevent excessive flexing and potential . buckling of the board in the surf. Such reinforcing elements can be cylindrical rods made of fibreglasses other suitable material and are inserted during manufacture into a cavity drilled or molded into the core. Once manufactured, the rigidity properties of the board are fixed, but it may be perceived as advantageous to the skilled body boarder to be able to adjust the rigidity of the body board to suit different surf conditions There is therefore a need to provide a way of allowing the amount of reinforcement or rigidity of the body board to be adjusted after manufacture.

Summary of the Invention

According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a body board comprising a cavity for holding a reinforcing element, adapted to allow removal and

replacement of the reinforcing element by a user.

In one embodiment, the body board cavity comprises a sleeve to facilitate insertion and removal of the

reinforcing element.

In one embodiment, a retainer on the body board is adapted to engage with a securing part on the reinforcing element. The retainer and securing part may engage via

corresponding screw threads. The retainer may be attached to the sleeve near an outer end thereof. The securing part of the reinforcing element may be attached to an outer end thereof.

In one embodiment, the body board is combined with at least one of the reinforcing elements.

In a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a reinforcing element adapted to be removably inserted into a cavity of a body board by a user.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing element comprises a securing part adapted to engage with a retainer on the body board. The securing part may engage with the retainer on the body board via corresponding screw threads. The securing part may be attached to an outer end of the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element may further comprise a seal to engage with the body board to prevent ingress of water into the cavity.

In a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided a set of reinforcing elements of the second broad aspect, having a range of rigidities and adapted to be

interchangeably used with the body board. Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a body board and reinforcing element in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the body board and reinforcing element of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the reinforcing element part way inserted into the cavity. ' Figure 3A and 3B shows details of a retainer on the body board and the securing part on the reinforcing element in the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an alternative to the configuration of Figures 3A and 3B.

Figure 5 shows a range of alternative cavity positions for embodiments of the invention. Figure 6 shows an assembled reinforcing element according to the currently most preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 shows details of a handle and seal of the reinforcing element of Figure 6

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Figure 8 shows details of the securing part of the reinforcing element of Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows details of the retainer in the body board v

adapted to receive the securing part of the reinforcing element of Figure 6.

Detailed Description of embodiments Embodiments of the current invention will now be described with reference to the Figures.

Referring first to Figure 1, body board 1 composed of an outer shell and inner foam core comprises a cavity 2.

Cavity 2 extends through the shell at an end 3 thereof to provide insertion access. End 3 also comprises a retainer. A reinforcing element 4 comprises a cylindrical rod made of fibreglass, carbon fiber or similar material as is known in the art. Attached to an outer end of reinforcing element 4 is a securing part adapted to engage with the retainer. Referring now to Figure 2, reinforcing element 4 is shown inserted part way into the cavity.

Referring now to Figure 3A, details of the reinforcing element and cavity are shown. Reinforcing element 4 comprises a cylindrical fibreglass rod 6 adapted to slide inside sleeve' 7 which lines the cavity, and a metal outer sleeve 10 at an outer end thereof. Sleeve 7 is composed of flexible plastic tubing glued to the foam core and is able to flex with the board at the same time as providing a durable and smooth surface to facilitate insertion and removal of reinforcing element 4. Near an outer end of the sleeve 7 is attached a retainer comprising stainless steel inner female screw thread 8 held in place by metal crimp clamp 9. Screwed into the fibreglass rod 6 with a male screw thread 11 is a stainless steel securing part 12 having a larger male screw thread 13 adapted to engage with the female screw thread 8 of the retainer. Securing, part 12 further comprises a seal 14 adapted to engage with the retainer so as to prevent ingress of water into the cavity, and a recessed slot 15 to allow tightening of the security part onto the retainer with an Allen key or other appropriate tool .

Referring now to figure 3B, the reinforcing element is shown in the secured position.

Referring now to figure 4, an alternative configuration is shown to that of Figures 3A and 3B. In this embodiment, the male screw thread 13a is at the opposite end of the reinforcing element, and engages with a corresponding female screw thread 8a at the innermost end of the sleeve 7a.

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Referring now to Figure 5 , there are shown examples of alternative orientations and positions of the cavity in different embodiments of the invention. Multiple cavities are also within the scope.

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Referring now to Figure 6, assembled reinforcing element 60 according to the currently most preferred embodiment of the invention comprises hollow reinforcing rod 61 with inner diameter 13 mm and outer diameter 16 mm, handle and5 seal assembly 70 with two O-ring seals 71 and 72, and

securing part 80. Referring to Figure 7, handle and seal assembly 70 comprises nylon coated stainless steel cable 73 with ends 73a and 73b that are crimped during

manufacture after insertion through handle holes 74a and0 74b in cap 74. The head of stainless steel bolt 75 rests inside recess 74c and passes the through the centre hole of the aluminium cap 74, and bolt 75 screws into thread 77 of aluminium rod engaging part 76. Rod engaging part 76 has circular cross section and comprises two O-ring seal5 channels 78 to receive O-rings 71 and 72, sized

appropriately to engage with the inside of a 19mm sleeve in the body board cavity, and a lower cylindrical section 79 sized to fit snugly inside the rod 61 at the outer end thereof, as viewed when installed in the body board.

0 Referring to Figure 8, aluminium securing part 80 has a rod engaging part 81 also sized to fit snugly inside the rod 61 at the inner end of rod 61, and hook-shaped spiral lock elements 82a and 82b. The spiral lock elements 82a and 82b engage with a retainer at an inner end of a sleeve5 lining the cavity in the board. Referring to Figure 9, sleeve 90 is an ordinary 19mm diameter polyethylene irrigation pipe lining the cavity. Sleeve 90 may be held in the cavity by heat fusion of the outer end thereof with a base of the body board. The retainer comprises

polyethylene end plug 91 (also as normally supplied for irrigation pipes) into which has been installed an

aluminium or stainless steel rivet 92 passing also through sleeve 90 fix the end cap and to provide an engaging bar for the spiral lock elements 82a and 82b. When the securing part of rod 61 is pushed up the sleeve and after engaging with bar provided by rivet 92, a quarter turn will cause spiral lock elements 82a and 82b to hook over the bar and be retained. Washer 94 spring-loaded with spring 93 urges the hooks to remain in the retained position. Removal involves the user pushing inwards on the handle and making a reverse quarter turn, whereby the reinforcing element can be pulled out.

There is thus provided a body board and removable

reinforcing elements that together can provide an enhanced sporting experience. It will be appreciated that the invention comprises in its various aspects a board adapted to receive removable reinforcing elements, a combined board and reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element itself, alone or as part of a set having a range of flexibilities, adapted to be used interchangeably in a body board.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the retainer shown can be varied or may not be needed, and the reinforcing element may not necessarily require a securing part, depending on the design of the board. Further, the body of the reinforcing element can be made from any effective rigidity material or shape.

Further still, the board may comprise more than one of the cavities for holding respective reinforcing elements. These and other modifications may be made without

departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims and summary.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to speci y the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.