CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/395,701, entitled “Buoyant Board Having a Propulsion System,” filed August 5, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present technology relates to buoyant boards.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Buoyant boards such as surfboards, paddleboards, etc. are sometimes equipped with a propulsion unit to provide thrust to the buoyant board and thereby reduce user effort during operation of the buoyant board. In some cases, the buoyant board may additionally have a hydrofoil to provide lift thereto, notably raising a running surface of the surfboard from the water to reduce drag.

[0004] While these features are useful, they also add a degree of difficulty to the operation of the buoyant board and therefore require a greater skill level from a user compared to conventional non-powered buoyant boards. As such, an inexperienced user may face a steep learning curve in order to adequately operate such powered buoyant boards.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a buoyant board with a propulsion system that addresses at least some of these drawbacks.

SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art. [0007] According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a buoyant board comprising: a board body; a propulsion system connected to the board body, the propulsion system including a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the buoyant board; and a handlebar assembly pivotably connected to the board body, the handlebar assembly being pivotable about a pivot axis between a lowered position and a raised position, the pivot axis extending through a proximal end portion of the handlebar assembly, the handlebar assembly comprising: a central handle configured to be grasped by a rider of the buoyant board, the central handle defining a distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; and first and second handlebars movably connected to the central handle, the first and second handlebars being movable between respective retracted and deployed positions, the first and second handlebars being configured to be grasped by the rider of the buoyant board, wherein, in the deployed positions of the first and second handlebars, the first and second handlebars are positioned on opposite sides of the central handle.

[0008] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments, the telescoping subassembly comprises an actuating handle operable by the rider of the buoyant body, the actuating handle being movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly comprises a base housing; and the telescoping subassembly further comprises: at least one telescoping pole at least partly received in the base housing and slidable relative to the base housing, the actuating handle being connected to the at least one telescoping pole for sliding the at least one telescoping pole relative to the base housing; and at least one slider received in the base housing and operatively connected to the actuating handle, the at least one slider being connected to the at least one telescoping pole to move together with the at least one telescoping pole, the at least one slider being slidable between a plurality of slider positions corresponding to different lengths of the handlebar assembly, the at least one slider selectively engaging the base housing at the plurality of slider positions to set the length of the handlebar assembly. [0011] In some embodiments, at least part of the at least one slider is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the actuating handle being operable to selectively move the at least part of the at least one slider between the engaged and disengaged positions; in the disengaged position of the at least part of the at least one slider, the at least one slider being slidable between the plurality of slider positions; and in the engaged position of the at least part of the at least one slider, the at least part of the at least one slider engaging the base housing in response to the at least one slider being moved to any of the plurality of slider positions to fix the at least one slider relative to the base housing at a given one of the slider positions corresponding to a given length of the handlebar assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments, an aperture is defined between the actuating handle and the central handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle.

[0013] In some embodiments, the board body defines a recess for at least partially receiving the handlebar assembly in the lowered position thereof.

[0014] In some embodiments, in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly, the handlebar assembly is generally flush with an upper surface of the board body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; and in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly: the handlebar assembly is retained in the lowered position by the latch being in the latched position; and the handlebar assembly is movable from the lowered position in response to the latch being moved to the unlatched position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the latch is biased toward the latched position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the board body defines a recess for at least partially receiving the handlebar assembly in the lowered position thereof; in the latched position of the latch and with the handlebar assembly being in a position other than the lowered position thereof, the latch prevents the handlebar assembly from entering the recess.

[0018] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises an actuating handle connected to the latch for moving the latch between the latched and unlatched positions. [0019] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; and the actuating handle is configured to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are pivotable between the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are operatively connected such that the first and second handlebars are synchronously pivotable between the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0022] In some embodiments, each handlebar of the first and second handlebars comprises a plurality of gear teeth; and the gear teeth of the first handlebar are meshed with the gear teeth of the second handlebar to cause synchronous pivoting of the first and second handlebars between the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0023] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises a locking handle that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the first and second handlebars in the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0024] In some embodiments, an aperture is defined between the locking handle and the central handle in both the locked and unlocked positions of the locking handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle.

[0025] In some embodiments, the locking handle is movable toward the central handle as the locking handle moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0026] In some embodiments, the locking handle comprises a first mating feature and a second mating feature; each handlebar of the first and second handlebars comprises a third mating feature and a fourth mating feature respectively; in the retracted positions of the first and second handlebars, the first and second mating features engage the third mating feature of a respective handlebar of the first and second handlebars in response to the locking handle being moved to the locked position; and in the deployed position of the first and second handlebars, the first and second mating features engage the fourth mating feature of the respective handlebar of the first and second handlebars in response to the locking handle being moved to the locked position.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first mating feature is a plurality of first teeth; the second mating feature is a plurality of second teeth; the third mating feature is a plurality of first recesses that receives a first subset of a corresponding one of the first teeth and the second teeth in response to the first and second handlebars being in the retracted positions and the locking handle being in the locked position; and the fourth mating feature is a plurality of second recesses that receives a second subset of the corresponding one of the first teeth and the second teeth in response to the first and second handlebars being in the deployed positions and the locking handle being in the locked position.

[0028] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly comprises a hinge defining the pivot axis; and friction forces at the hinge prevent the handlebar assembly from falling freely from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0029] In some embodiments, the friction forces at the hinge slow movement of the handlebar assembly from the raised position to the lowered position caused by gravity.

[0030] In some embodiments, the propulsion unit is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0031] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further comprises a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; the telescoping subassembly comprises an actuating handle operable by the rider of the buoyant body, the actuating handle being movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly; the handlebar assembly further comprises a locking handle that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the first and second handlebars in the retracted and deployed positions thereof; and an aperture is defined between (i) the central handle and (ii) the actuating handle and the locking handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle. [0032] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are disposed on opposite sides of the aperture.

[0033] In some embodiments, the actuating handle and the locking handle are disposed atop each other.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a buoyant board including a board body; a propulsion system connected to the board body, the propulsion system including a propulsion unit for providing thrust to the buoyant board; and a handlebar assembly pivotably connected to the board body, the handlebar assembly being pivotable about a pivot axis between a lowered position and a raised position, the pivot axis extending through a proximal end portion of the handlebar assembly, the handlebar assembly including a central handle configured to be grasped by a rider of the buoyant board, the central handle defining a distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; and a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly.

[0035] In some embodiments, the telescoping subassembly comprises an actuating handle operable by the rider of the buoyant body, the actuating handle being movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly.

[0036] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly includes a base housing; and the telescoping subassembly further includes at least one telescoping pole at least partly received in the base housing and slidable relative to the base housing, the actuating handle being connected to the at least one telescoping pole for sliding the at least one telescoping pole relative to the base housing; and at least one slider received in the base housing and operatively connected to the actuating handle, the at least one slider being connected to the at least one telescoping pole to move together with the at least one telescoping pole, the at least one slider being slidable between a plurality of slider positions corresponding to different lengths of the handlebar assembly, the at least one slider selectively engaging the base housing at the plurality of slider positions to set the length of the handlebar assembly. [0037] In some embodiments, at least part of the at least one slider is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the actuating handle being operable to selectively move the at least part of the at least one slider between the engaged and disengaged positions; in the disengaged position of the at least part of the at least one slider, the at least one slider being slidable between the plurality of slider positions; and in the engaged position of the at least part of the at least one slider, the at least part of the at least one slider engaging the base housing in response to the at least one slider being moved to any of the plurality of slider positions to fix the at least one slider relative to the base housing at a given one of the slider positions corresponding to a given length of the handlebar assembly.

[0038] In some embodiments, an aperture is defined between the actuating handle and the central handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle.

[0039] In some embodiments, the board body defines a recess for at least partially receiving the handlebar assembly in the lowered position thereof.

[0040] In some embodiments, in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly, the handlebar assembly is generally flush with an upper surface of the board body.

[0041] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further includes a latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; and in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly: the handlebar assembly is retained in the lowered position by the latch being in the latched position; and the handlebar assembly is movable from the lowered position in response to the latch being moved to the unlatched position.

[0042] In some embodiments, the latch is biased toward the latched position.

[0043] In some embodiments, the board body defines a recess for at least partially receiving the handlebar assembly in the lowered position thereof; and in the latched position of the latch and with the handlebar assembly being in a position other than the lowered position thereof, the latch prevents the handlebar assembly from entering the recess.

[0044] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further includes an actuating handle connected to the latch for moving the latch between the latched and unlatched positions. [0045] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further includes a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; and the actuating handle is configured to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly.

[0046] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly includes a hinge defining the pivot axis; and friction forces at the hinge prevent the handlebar assembly from falling freely from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0047] In some embodiments, the friction forces at the hinge slow movement of the handlebar assembly from the raised position to the lowered position caused by gravity.

[0048] In some embodiments, the propulsion unit is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0049] In some embodiments, the buoyant board further includes first and second handlebars movably connected to the central handle, the first and second handlebars being movable between respective retracted and deployed positions, the first and second handlebars being configured to be grasped by the rider of the buoyant board; and in the deployed positions of the first and second handlebars, the first and second handlebars are positioned on opposite sides of the central handle.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are pivotable between the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are operatively connected such that the first and second handlebars are synchronously pivotable between the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0052] In some embodiments, each handlebar of the first and second handlebars includes a plurality of gear teeth; and the gear teeth of the first handlebar are meshed with the gear teeth of the second handlebar to cause synchronous pivoting of the first and second handlebars between the retracted and deployed positions thereof. [0053] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further includes a locking handle that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the first and second handlebars in the retracted and deployed positions thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments, the telescoping subassembly includes an actuating handle operable by the rider of the buoyant body, the actuating handle being movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly.

[0055] In some embodiments, the actuating handle and the locking handle are disposed atop each other.

[0056] In some embodiments, an aperture is defined between the locking handle and the central handle in both the locked and unlocked positions of the locking handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle.

[0057] In some embodiments, the locking handle is movable toward the central handle as the locking handle moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0058] In some embodiments, the locking handle includes a first mating feature and a second mating feature; each handlebar of the first and second handlebars comprises a third mating feature and a fourth mating feature respectively; in the retracted positions of the first and second handlebars, the first and second mating features engage the third mating feature of a respective handlebar of the first and second handlebars in response to the locking handle being moved to the locked position; and in the deployed position of the first and second handlebars, the first and second mating features engage the fourth mating feature of the respective handlebar of the first and second handlebars in response to the locking handle being moved to the locked position.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first mating feature is a plurality of first teeth; the second mating feature is a plurality of second teeth; the third mating feature is a plurality of first recesses that receives a first subset of a corresponding one of the first teeth and the second teeth in response to the first and second handlebars being in the retracted positions and the locking handle being in the locked position; and the fourth mating feature is a plurality of second recesses that receives a second subset of the corresponding one of the first teeth and the second teeth in response to the first and second handlebars being in the deployed positions and the locking handle being in the locked position.

[0060] In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly further includes a telescoping subassembly for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly defined between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the handlebar assembly; the telescoping subassembly includes an actuating handle operable by the rider of the buoyant body, the actuating handle being movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly to set the length of the handlebar assembly; the handlebar assembly further includes a locking handle that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the first and second handlebars in the retracted and deployed positions thereof; and an aperture is defined between (i) the central handle and (ii) the actuating handle and the locking handle to allow the rider to grasp the central handle.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first and second handlebars are disposed on opposite sides of the aperture.

[0062] For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientation such as forwardly, rearward, upwardly, downwardly, left, and right, are as they would normally be understood by a user of the buoyant board disposed thereon in a normal riding position. Terms related to spatial orientation when describing or referring to components or sub-assemblies of the buoyant board, separately from the buoyant board should be understood as they would be understood when these components or sub-assemblies are mounted to the buoyant board, unless specified otherwise in this application.

[0063] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned objects and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned objects may not satisfy these objects and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. [0064] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

[0066] Fig. 1 is a perspective view, taken from a top, front, left side, of a buoyant board according to an embodiment of the present technology, showing a handlebar assembly thereof in a lowered position and with a propulsion system thereof removed for clarity;

[0067] Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1;

[0068] Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1;

[0069] Fig. 4 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1;

[0070] Fig. 5 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, shown with the propulsion system thereof in a retracted position;

[0071] Fig. 6 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, shown with the propulsion system thereof in a deployed position;

[0072] Fig. 7 is a perspective view, taken from a top, front, left side, of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, showing the handlebar assembly in a raised position;

[0073] Fig. 8 is a perspective view, taken from a top, rear, right side, of the buoyant board of Fig. 7;

[0074] Fig. 9 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 7;

[0075] Fig. 10 is a rear elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 7; [0076] Fig. 11 is a perspective view, taken from a top, front, left side, of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, showing the handlebar assembly in a raised position and in a fully extended state;

[0077] Fig. 12 is a left side elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 11;

[0078] Fig. 13 is a rear elevation view of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, showing the handlebar assembly in a raised position, in a fully extended state and with handlebars thereof in deployed positions;

[0079] Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the handlebar assembly of the buoyant board of Fig. 1;

[0080] Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 14;

[0081] Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly taken along line 15A-15A in Fig. 14;

[0082] Fig. 15B is a detailed view of part of the cross-section of Fig. 15A;

[0083] Fig. 16 is a perspective view, taken from a top, front, left side, of a cross-section of part of the buoyant board of Fig. 1, showing a latching system of the handlebar assembly;

[0084] Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 14 with an upper portion of a base housing thereof removed to expose underlying components;

[0085] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 17 taken along line 18-18 in Fig. 17;

[0086] Fig. 19 is a detailed view of part of the cross-section of Fig. 18;

[0087] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 17 taken along line

20-20 in Fig. 17;

[0088] Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 14, with the upper portion of the base housing removed and telescoping poles removed to exposed underlying components;

[0089] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 14 when the handlebar assembly is in a fully extended state; [0090] Fig. 23 is a top plan view of part of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 14, shown with a handle housing removed, a lower portion of a base housing removed and part of an upper portion of the base housing;

[0091] Fig. 24 is a bottom plan view of the part of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 23;

[0092] Fig. 25 is a detailed view of part of Fig. 23;

[0093] Fig. 26 is a detailed view of part of Fig. 24;

[0094] Fig. 27 is a bottom plan view of part of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 23, shown with left and right handlebars thereof in deployed positions; and

[0095] Fig. 28 is a top plan view of part of the handlebar assembly of Fig. 23, shown with the left and right handlebars thereof in the deployed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] A buoyant board 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the buoyant board 10 is a surfboard. The buoyant board 10 may be any other suitable type of buoyant board in other embodiments (e.g., a wakeboard, a paddleboard, etc.). As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the buoyant board 10 has a propulsion system 50 suspended therebeneath for providing propulsion to the buoyant board 10. In this example, the propulsion system 50 is a lift-propulsion system, sometimes referred to as an “eFoil”, for riding by an operator.

[0097] As will be described in more detail below, in accordance with the present technology, the buoyant board 10 has a handlebar assembly 100 that can be moved between different positions and arranged differently according to a user’s preference and/or experience level for riding a board having a propulsion system. The handlebar assembly 100 can therefore facilitate riding of the buoyant board 10 for inexperienced users and can also accompany the user’s skill progression by providing a broad range of positions of the handlebar assembly 100 suitable for varying degrees of skill. [0098] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the buoyant board 10 has a buoyant board body 12 having upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 on respective upper and lower sides 18, 20 of the board body 12. In use, the rider of the buoyant board 10 is positioned on the upper surface 14 (e.g., standing, kneeling, sitting, lying down) to ride the buoyant board 10, whereas the lower surface 16 is configured to engage the surface of the water when the buoyant board 10 is underway (and the propulsion system 50 is in a retracted state as will be described further below). The board body 12 has a front end 22 and a rear end 24 defining a length of the buoyant body 12 therebetween. As shown in Fig. 2, a longitudinal center axis 25 of the watercraft 10 extends longitudinally between the front end 22 and the rear end 24 and bisects a width of the board body 12. In the present embodiment, the board body 12 has a length of about 2 meters and a beam of about 1 meter.

[0099] The board body 12 also defines a chamber (not shown) between the upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 of the board body 12 for receiving various components of the lift-propulsion system 50 therein. A removable access panel 89, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided to selectively close off part of the chamber from the upper side 18 of the board body 12. The removable access panel 89 can be secured in place on the board body 12 in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the removable access panel 89 is fastened via mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts) to the board body 12.

[00100] In this embodiment, the board body 12 is a molded plastic buoyant body (i.e., it is molded into shape from a plastic material). It is contemplated that the board body 12 could be made from different materials and using a different process. For example, the board body 12 could be made from a foam core covered with layers or sections of fiberglass, carbon fiber or another rigid material. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiments, the board body 12 has a generally rectangular shape. It is to be understood that the configuration of the board body 12 may be different in other embodiments.

[00101] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the buoyant board 10 has a plurality of handles 26 at various locations to allow the operator to hold onto the watercraft 10 such as for reboarding the watercraft 10 or hold the watercraft 10 during transport. The handles 26 may be positioned at different locations of the board body 12 in different embodiments. In other embodiments, the handles 26 may be omitted. [00102] With reference to Fig. 3, a flexible panel 97 is connected to the board body 12 on the lower side 20 thereof in order to accommodate the propulsion system 50 as will be explained in more detail below. The flexible panel 97 defines a slit 98 extending generally longitudinally. The flexible panel 97 may be made of any suitable flexible material. For instance, in this embodiment, the flexible panel 97 is made of rubber, an elastomer or other flexible and resilient material.

[00103] With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the lift-propulsion system 50 can selectively provide lift and propulsion to the watercraft 10 and is retractable. Notably, the retractable lift-propulsion system 50 can be conveniently and easily retracted or deployed at will to accommodate a desired operating mode of the rider of the buoyant board 10. In this embodiment, the lift-propulsion system 50 includes a mast 52 and a lift-propulsion assembly 60 connected thereto. The mast 52 connects the lift-propulsion assembly 60 to the board body 12. A proximal end of the mast 52 is pivotally connected to the board body 12. In particular, the mast 52 is pivotable about a pivot defining a pivot axis 58 extending transversely through the proximal end of the mast 52. The mast 52 is pivotable about the pivot axis 58 between a retracted position RP (Fig. 5), an intermediate deployed position (not shown) and a fully deployed position DP (Fig. 6). When the buoyant board 10 is underway (i.e., in movement) and the mast 52 is in the retracted position RP, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 does not provide any significant lift to the buoyant board 10 but can still provide thrust to the buoyant board 10. When the buoyant board 10 is underway and the mast 52 is in either the intermediate deployed position or the fully deployed position DP, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 provides lift to the buoyant board 10 and can also provide thrust to the buoyant board 10.

[00104] In the retracted position RP, the mast 52 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis 25 of the buoyant board 10. Moreover, in the retracted position RP, a majority of the mast 52 is disposed between the upper and lower surfaces 14, 16 of the board body 12. In the intermediate deployed position and the fully deployed position DP (Fig. 6), the mast 52 extends from the lower side 20 of the board body 12. In particular, in the intermediate and fully deployed positions, the mast 52 extends through the slit 98 of the flexible panel 97. As such, a distance between a distal end of the mast 52 and the lower surface 16 of the board body 12 is greater in the intermediate deployed position or the fully deployed position DP than in the retracted position RP. The fully deployed position DP corresponds to a lowest position of the distal end of the mast 52. As such, the distance between the distal end of the mast 52 and the lower surface 16 of the board body 12 is greater in the fully deployed position DP than in the intermediate deployed position.

[00105] With reference to Fig. 6, in the intermediate and fully deployed positions DP of the mast 52, the mast 52 is disposed at an angle a relative to a horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal center axis 25. The angle a measures less than 90° (i.e., is an acute angle) in both deployed positions. It is to be understood that the mast 52 acquires different transitory positions as it moves between the retracted position RP, the intermediate deployed position, and the fully deployed position DP. In some embodiments, the mast 52 may also be able to stay in any or all of these different positions. The mast 52 may thus have more intermediate deployed positions.

[00106] With continued reference to Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 includes a hydrofoil 62 and a propulsion unit 64. The hydrofoil 62 is configured to provide lift to the buoyant board 10 while the propulsion unit 64 is configured to provide thrust to the watercraft 10. The lift-propulsion assembly 60 is connected to the distal end of the mast 52 such that, in the deployed positions of the mast 52, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 is distanced from the board body 12 and, in the retracted position RP of the mast 52, the lift-propulsion assembly 60 is proximate the board body 12. The position of the lift-propulsion assembly 60 relative to the mast 52 is such that the hydrofoil 62 provides lift to the watercraft 10 in the deployed positions of the mast 52 but not significantly in the retracted position RP, thereby allowing the rider to place the mast 52 in the retracted position RP when he/she does not desire to ride the watercraft 10 with lift provided by the hydrofoil 62. On the other hand, the propulsion unit 64 provides thrust to the watercraft 10 (on command from the operator) in all the positions of the mast 52, including the retracted position RP and the deployed positions. Therefore, the propulsion unit 64 can be operated to propel the watercraft 10 irrespective of the position of the mast 52.

[00107] The propulsion unit 64 includes a rotor (not shown) rotatable about a rotating axis. In this embodiment the rotor is a propeller having blades that, when rotated about the rotating axis, transform rotational power into linear thrust by acting upon water. It is contemplated that the propeller could be another type of rotor in other embodiments such as an impeller. The propulsion unit 64 also has a duct 74 surrounding the propeller so as to improve the efficiency of the propeller and increase safety. The lift-propulsion assembly 60 has an electric motor (not shown) for driving the propeller of the propulsion unit 64. In this embodiment, the electric motor can be made to drive a propeller shaft of the propeller in both directions about a rotating axis. Therefore, the propeller can provide forward or reverse thrust. An electrical assembly (not shown) is provided to work in conjunction with the electric motor. In particular, in this embodiment, the electrical assembly has a battery which stores energy for powering the electric motor and an inverter in electrical communication between the battery and the electric motor. The electrical assembly is supported by the board body 12. In particular, the electrical assembly is housed in the chamber defined by the board body 12. The part of the chamber enclosing the electrical assembly is accessible from the upper side 18 of board body 12, notably by removing the removable access panel 89.

[00108] The retractable lift-propulsion system 50 also has a throttle control (not shown) for use by the rider of the buoyant board 10. Notably, the throttle control is in communication with the electric motor to control driving of the propulsion unit 64 by the electric motor. The throttle control could be disposed on the handlebar assembly 100 that is connected to the board body 12. In other embodiments, the throttle control could be a handheld control that is held in the rider’s hand.

[00109] With reference to Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the hydrofoil 62 has a front foil 90 and a rear foil 92 disposed rearward of the front foil 90. When the mast 52 is in either of the deployed positions and the buoyant board 10 is underway moving forwardly above a certain speed, the hydrofoil 62 lifts the board body 12 completely out of the water thereby decreasing drag and allowing the buoyant board 10 to attain greater speeds. The front foil 90 has a greater lateral span than the rear foil 92. The front foil 90 has two wings extending laterally and being connected to one another at a center therebetween. The rear foil 92 has two wings, each extending laterally from a respective lateral side of the duct 74 of the propulsion unit 64 in opposite directions. The hydrofoil 62 and the propulsion unit 64 are connected to a frame of the lift-propulsion assembly 60. In particular, the front foil 90 is connected to a front end of the frame while the duct 74 of the propulsion unit 64 is connected to a rear end of the frame.

[00110] A more complete description of the lift-propulsion system 50 and its functionality can be found in International Patent Application Publication No. W02022/091035, published on May 5, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. [00111] It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the hydrofoil 62 could be omitted and only the propulsion unit 64 is provided connected to the mast 52.

[00112] The handlebar assembly 100 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 7 to 10. The handlebar assembly 100 has a base portion 110 connected to the board body 12 and a central handle 112 connected to the base portion 110. The central handle 112 is configured to be grasped by a rider of the buoyant board 10 in order to facilitate riding thereof. In this embodiment, the central handle 12 defines a distal end portion 104 of the handlebar assembly 100. The base portion 110 defines a proximal end portion 106 of the handlebar assembly 100, opposite the distal end portion 104. In this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 100 is generally laterally centered with respect to the board body 12 such that the longitudinal axis 25 bisects the handlebar assembly 100.

[00113] As mentioned above, the handlebar assembly 100 is movable to different positions to accommodate the rider of the buoyant board 10 according to his/her preference and/or experience level. Notably, the base portion 110 of the handlebar assembly 100 is pivotably connected to the board body 12 such that the handlebar assembly 100 is pivotable about a pivot axis 102 (Figs. 2, 9) between a lowered position (Figs. 1 and 2) and a raised position (Figs. 7 to 10). In this embodiment, the pivot axis 102 is defined by a hinge 96 of the base portion 110 and extends through the proximal end portion 106 of the handlebar assembly 100, disposed near the front end 22 of the board body 12. As can be seen, the pivot axis 102 extends generally laterally. In the lowered position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the handlebar assembly 100 is generally laid horizontal (i.e., generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis 25), and in the raised position, as illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, the handlebar assembly 100 extends upwardly from the upper surface 14 of the board body 12. More specifically, an angle 0 formed between the handlebar assembly 100 and the longitudinal axis 25 increases as the handlebar assembly 100 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position.

[00114] In this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 100 is prevented from falling freely from the raised position to the lowered position by friction forces at the hinge 96. That is, the hinge 96 has sufficient friction in its articulation such that the friction forces at the hinge 96 slow the movement of the handlebar assembly 100 from the raised position to the lowered position caused by gravity (i.e., due to the weight of the handlebar assembly 100)

[00115] The buoyant board 10 can be ridden with the handlebar assembly 100 being in either of the lowered position and the raised position, as well as any intermediate positions between the lowered and raised positions. For instance, in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly 100, the rider can ride the buoyant board 10 by standing up and riding hands-free or by kneeling on the buoyant board 10 using the handles 26 on the sides of the buoyant board 10. In the raised position of the handlebar assembly 100, the rider can ride the buoyant board 10 in single-handed operation by grasping the central handle 112.

[00116] In this embodiment, as best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the upper surface 14 of the board body 12 defines a recess 116. The recess 116 has a shape that matches a shape of a periphery of the handlebar assembly 100 in order to receive the handlebar assembly 100 therein when the handlebar assembly 100 is in the closed position. It is contemplated that the recess 116 may be shaped to only receive part of the handlebar assembly 100 (e.g., the distal end portion 104 including the central handle 112). The recess 116, which is defined in part by a stepped surface 117 (Figs. 7, 8), has a height measured from the stepped surface 117 to the upper surface 14. In this embodiment, the height of the recess 116 corresponds to at least a majority of a thickness of the handlebar assembly 100. The thickness of the handlebar assembly 100 is measured vertically when the handlebar assembly 100 is in the lowered position. As such, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, in the lowered position, the handlebar assembly 100 is generally flush with the upper surface 14. This can make riding the buoyant board 10 more comfortable in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly 100 as stepping on the handlebar assembly 100 will not be substantially different to the rider than stepping on any other part on the upper side 20 of the buoyant board 10. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the recess 116 has portions 119 thereof that are disposed vertically lower than the stepped surface 116 such as to form additional recesses below the handlebar assembly 100 when the handlebar assembly 100 is in the lowered position. The portions 119 of the recess 116 may be used to store equipment on the buoyant board 10.

[00117] It is contemplated that the recess 116 could be omitted in some embodiments. As such, in some embodiments, the handlebar assembly 100 may not be flush with the upper surface 14 of the board body 12 in the lowered position. It is also contemplated that the handlebar assembly 100 be removable.

[00118] In this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 100 has a latching system to retain the handlebar assembly 100 in the lowered position. The latching system is actuatable by the rider to move the handlebar assembly 100 to the raised position. With reference to Figs. 14 to 16, in this embodiment, the latching system includes an actuating handle 134 operable by the rider of the buoyant board 10, and a latch 136 connected to the actuating handle 134. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, in this embodiment, the latch 136 is disposed on a lower side 123 of the handlebar assembly 100, while the actuating handle 134 is disposed on an upper side 121 of the handlebar assembly 100. The rider can actuate the actuating handle 134, which is visible and accessible when the handlebar assembly 100 is in the lowered position, to cause the latch 136 to move between a latched position and an unlatched position. When the handlebar assembly 100 is in the lowered position and the latch 136 is in the latched position, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the latch 136 retains the handlebar assembly 100 in the lowered position. Notably, the latch 136 engages a retaining member 137 of the board body 12 which prevents the handlebar assembly 100 from lifting up from the lowered position. In particular, a lower surface 139 of the retaining member 137 engages an end portion 138 of the latch 136 thereby preventing the handlebar assembly 100 from moving from the lowered position. As shown in Fig. 16, the latch 136 is biased toward the latched position via a spring 140 that is disposed inside a handle housing 142 of the handlebar assembly 100. The handle housing 142 forms the central handle 112 and contains various components of that enable operation of the handlebar assembly 100 as will be described further below. A post 143 of the latch 136 is mounted to an end of the spring 140, the other end of the spring 140 being supported by an inner surface of the handle housing 142, such that the spring 140 forces the latch 136 toward the latched position. Thus, in order to move the latch 136 to the unlatched position, the actuating handle 134 is moved toward the distal end portion 104 of the handlebar assembly 100, thereby overcoming the resistance of the spring 140 and sliding the end portion 138 of the latch 136 away from the lower surface 139 of the retaining member 137. As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, an aperture 115 is defined between the actuating handle 134 and the central handle 112, which allows the actuating handle 134 to have space to be moved toward the distal end portion 104 and also allows the rider to grasp the central handle 112. Once the latch 136 is in the unlatched position, the handlebar assembly 100 is movable from the lowered position. [00119] In this embodiment, the latching system is also designed to prevent the handlebar assembly 100 from being accidentally moved to the lowered position. In particular, when the handlebar assembly 100 is in a position other than the lowered position, the latch 136 prevents the handlebar assembly 100 from entering the recess 116 (and thus into the lowered position) if the latch 136 is in the latched position. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, the retaining member 137 also has an upper surface 145 which abuts the end portion 138 of the latch 136 when the rider attempts to move the handlebar assembly 100 to the lowered position with the latch 136 in the latched position. As such, the rider of buoyant board 10 has to actively actuate the actuating handle 134 to cause the latch 136 to move to the unlatched position in order to be able to then lower the handlebar assembly 100 into the recess 116 and thus into the lowered position. This can prevent the handlebar assembly 100 from accidentally pinching an object or the rider that might be in the way of the handlebar assembly 100 as it is lowered into the recess 116, notably as the rider must consciously actuate the actuating handle 134 in order to allow the handlebar assembly 100 into the lowered position.

[00120] With reference to Fig. 14, in this embodiment, the handlebar assembly 100 also has a plurality of mounts 160 disposed on the upper side 121 of the handlebar assembly 100. In particular, the mounts 160 are apertures defined by a base housing 113 which defines the base portion 110. The apertures 160 are shaped to receive corresponding anchors having a same shape as the periphery of the apertures 160 (e.g., hexagonal). This can allow accessories to be optionally mounted to the handlebar assembly 100. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the board body 12 also has similar mounts 162.

[00121] With reference to Figs. 11 to 13, the handlebar assembly 100 also has a telescoping subassembly 130 for adjusting a length of the handlebar assembly 100 defined between the proximal end portion 106 and the distal end portion 104. The base housing 113 of the handlebar assembly 110, defining the base portion 110, receives therein some of the components of the telescoping subassembly 130. The telescoping subassembly 130 includes two telescoping poles 132 that are received in the base housing 113 and are slidable relative thereto. The telescoping poles 132 are parallel to each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal center axis 25. The actuating handle 134, which is used to move the latch 136 as described above, also forms part of the telescoping subassembly 130 and is movable to selectively lock and unlock the telescoping subassembly 130 to set the length of the handlebar assembly 100. Notably, the actuating handle 134 is connected to the telescoping poles 132 for sliding the telescoping poles 132 relative to the base housing 113.

[00122] It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, a single telescoping pole 132 could be provided.

[00123] As shown in Figs. 17 to 19 and 21, the telescoping subassembly 130 also includes a slider 144 received in the base housing 113 and connected to the telescoping poles 132 to move together with telescoping poles 132. Notably, as shown in Fig. 17, the slider 144 is fastened to the telescoping poles 132 via fasteners 146. The slider 144 is slidable between a plurality of slider positions corresponding to different lengths of the handlebar assembly 100. In particular, as will be described in greater detail below, the slider 144 selectively engages the base housing 113 at different slider positions to set the length of the handlebar assembly 100.

[00124] With reference to Fig. 21, the slider 144 is operatively connected to the actuating handle 134 via two actuating poles 154 that extend within the respective telescoping poles 132. The actuating poles 154 extend parallel to the longitudinal center axis 25 and are disposed on either side thereof. Each actuating pole 154 is connected, at a distal end thereof, to the actuating handle 134 to move together therewith and, at a proximal end thereof, the actuating pole 154 is connected to a corresponding slider actuator 156 (best shown in Fig. 19). When the slider actuators 156 are moved, the slider actuators 156 selectively actuate the slider 144 in order to cause two engaging portions 176 (one of which is shown in Fig. 15B) of the slider 144 to either engage or disengage a structure of the handlebar assembly 100 to respective allow or disallow moving the slider 144 from its set position.

[00125] In particular, when the actuating handle 134 is moved toward the distal end portion 104, the actuating poles 154 cause the slider actuators 156 to move in unison toward the distal end portion 104. Thus, with reference to Fig. 19, when the slider 144 is engaged in its current position (i.e., not removable therefrom) and the slide actuators 156 move toward the distal end portion 104, a sloping surface 158 of each slider actuator 156 causes a corresponding spring 172 received in one of two recesses 173 defined by respective posts 174 of the slider 144 to compress further. Upon being compressed, the springs 172, which are seated in the recesses 173 and are supported by a base 170 of the slider 144 (from which the posts 174 project), push on the base 170 to force the slider 144 toward a lower portion 185 of the base housing 113 of the handlebar assembly 100. With reference to Fig. 15B, this causes the two engaging portions 176 of the slider 144 to move from respective engaged positions (illustrated in Fig. 15B) to disengaged positions.

[00126] In their engaged positions, the engaging portions 176 are received in respective recesses 178 defined by an upper portion 187 of the base housing 113. As shown in Figs. 15A and 23, the upper portion 187 of the base housing 113 defines two rows of recesses 178 for receiving the engaging portions 176 of the slider 144 such as to set different fixed slider positions. As shown in Fig. 15 A, when the engaging portions 176 are received in the two recesses 178 that are closest to the proximal end portion 106 of the handlebar assembly 100, the handlebar assembly 100 is in a retracted state such that the length of the handlebar assembly 100 is at its minimum.

[00127] Returning to Fig. 15A, in their disengaged positions, the engaging portions 176 are moved toward the lower portion 185 of the base housing 115 and therefore disengage the respective recesses 178. The slider 144 is therefore slidable longitudinally to any of the slider positions according to the rider’s desired length of the handlebar assembly 100. The slider 144 is slid to the different slider positions by pulling or pushing on the central handle 112 which causes the telescoping poles 132 to move together with the slider 144 such that a portion of the telescoping poles 132 is either pulled out from the base housing 113 or pushed into the base housing 113. As shown in Fig. 22, when the slider 144 engages the recesses 178 that are furthest from the proximal end portion 106, the handlebar assembly 100 is in its fully extended state, corresponding to its length being set to its maximum. The engaging portions 176 are moved back to their engaged positions when the actuating handle 134 is moved back to its original position.

[00128] With reference to Figs. 13 and 23 to 28, the handlebar assembly 100 also has left and right handlebars 150 that are movably connected to the central handle 112 and are configured to be grasped by the rider of the buoyant board 10. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the left and right handlebars 150 could be omitted. The handlebars 150 are retractable, namely being movable relative to the central handle 112 between respective retracted and deployed positions. In the retracted positions of the handlebars 150, illustrated in Figs. 23 to 26, the handlebars 150 extend generally towards the proximal end portion 106 of the handlebar assembly 110 and is therefore generally parallel to the lateral side edges of the base housing 113. In the deployed positions of the handlebars 150, illustrated in Fig. 13, the left and right handlebars 150 are positioned on opposite sides of the central handle 112. In particular, in their deployed positions, the left and right handlebars 150 extend leftward and rightward from the handle housing 142.

[00129] As best shown in Fig. 26, each handlebar 150 has a grasping portion 190 that is generally elongated and an operating portion 192 extending from the grasping portion 190. The operating portion 192 extends at an angle relative to the grasping portion 190 and is shorter than the grasping portion 190. The grasping portion 190 defines a free end 151 of the corresponding handlebar 150, while the operating portion 192 defines a pivoting end 153 of the corresponding handlebar 150. Notably, in this embodiment, the handlebars 150 are pivotable between the retracted and deployed positions. In particular, the pivoting ends 153 form in part respective pivots 155 that allow the handlebars 150 to pivot about pivot axes 165 extending through respective ones of the pivoting ends 153.

[00130] In this embodiment, the handlebars 150 are operatively connected to each other such that the handlebars 150 are synchronously pivotable between their retracted and deployed positions. To that end, in this example, each handlebar 150 has a gearing member 194 extending from the respective pivoting end 153. The gearing members 194 have gear teeth 195 distributed about an approximately 90° circumferential span of each gearing member 194. As shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the gear teeth 195 of the left handlebar 150 are meshed with the gear teeth 195 of the right handlebar 150 to cause the synchronous pivoting of the handlebars 150 between the retracted and deployed positions thereof. As such, the handlebars 150 are mirror images of each other as they move between the retracted and deployed positions.

[00131] As shown in Figs. 24 and 26, the handlebar assembly 100 has a locking handle 200 that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the handlebars 150 in their retracted and deployed positions. In this embodiment, the actuating handle 134 and the locking handle 200 are disposed atop each other. As such, the aperture 115 is also defined between the locking handle 200 and the central handle 112 in both the locked and unlocked positions of the locking handle 200 to allow the rider to grasp the central handle 112. In this embodiment, the locking handle 200 is movable toward the central handle 112, namely toward the distal end portion 104, as the locking handle 200 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 16, the locking handle 200 is biased by a spring 205 received in the handle housing 142 toward the locked position.

[00132] In order to perform its locking function, in this embodiment, the locking handle 200 has left and right mating features 202, 204 for engaging the matching mating features 206, 208 of each handlebar 150. In this embodiment, the mating features 202, 204 are respective left and right pluralities of teeth 202, 204, and the mating features 206, 208 of the handlebars 150 are respective recesses 206, 208. Different types of mating features are also contemplated. In the retracted positions of the handlebars 150, when the locking handle 200 is in the locked position, one or more of the left and right teeth 202, 204 engage a corresponding one or more of the recesses 206 defined by the handlebars 150. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 25, a single recess 206 is provided on each handlebar 150, namely being defined on a bottom side of the corresponding gearing member 194. As such, one of the left teeth 202 and one of the right teeth 204 engages the corresponding recess 206 such that a surface of each of the teeth 202, 204 blocks a corresponding tooth 207 (defining at least in part the corresponding recess) formed on the bottom side of the gearing member 194 from moving. As such, the handlebars 150 are retained in the retracted positions by the locking handle 200.

[00133] When the locking handle 200 is moved toward the central handle 112 (i.e., toward the distal end portion 104), the teeth 202, 204 disengage the recesses 206 thereby allowing the handlebars 150 to be moved to the deployed positions. The rider then releases the locking handle 200 which causes a different subset of the teeth 202, 204 to engage recesses 208 defined by the operating portions 192 of the handlebars 150. The handlebars 150 are thereby locked in the deployed positions.

[00134] The handlebars 150 can be deployed or retracted in the extended and retracted states of the telescoping subassembly 130.

[00135] As will be appreciated from the above, the handlebar assembly 100 provides versatility to the buoyant board 10 as it can accommodate different types of riding styles, notably in accordance with a user’s experience level. For instance, a rider can use the buoyant board handsfree (i.e., in the lowered position of the handlebar assembly 100 for an experienced rider), single- handed (raised and/or extended with handlebars 150 retracted), and two-handed with the handlebars 150 deployed.

[00136] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.