WATCH LEASH APPARATUS AND METHODS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to systems, devices and methods for tethering a person to a waterboard.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Tethers are used to attach a surfboard to a surfer to prevent the surfer from being separated from the surfboard after falling from the surfboard. Typically, the tether is attached at one end to the rear of the surfboard and at the other end to an ankle cuff worn by the surfer. The bodyboard leash is a leash system that connects to the nose area of a bodyboard and is designed to keep the board close to the rider at all times while riding waves in the ocean. Bodyboard leashes typically include a cuff which allows the leash to be connected to, e.g., a wrist or a bicep. Bodyboard leashes may be, for example, polyurethane cords which can be either straight or coiled. Conventionally, the tether is a flexible, non- elastic material that is long enough to provide the surfer freedom of movement. One shortcoming of a conventional tether is that, being inelastic, tremendous force can be exerted on the surfer's ankle as the surfboard is accelerated away from the surfer by the force of a wave. Such force may result in injury to the surfer. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture comprises a cuff configured to encircle an extremity of a user, the cuff comprising a waterproof timekeeping device; a non-rigid shock-absorbing member comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end flexibly coupled to the cuff and having at least two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to the cuff; a non-rigid substantially non-shock-absorbing

member comprising a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end coupled to the first distal end and having at least two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to the non-rigid shock-absorbing member; a connecting device configured for removable attachment to a waterboard, the connecting device coupled to the second distal end and having at least two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to the non-rigid substantially non-shock absorbing member.

Accordingly, the novel articles of manufacture provide a leash suitable for attachment, for example, to a bodyboard, surfboard, or other sports board, which may be attached via the cuff to a user's body (e.g., attached to a wrist, arm, ankle, leg, or elsewhere), the cuff comprising a waterproof timekeeping device. The novel articles of manufacture disclosed herein advantageously provide a tether that reduces the forces experienced by a user, such as, e.g., a bodyboarder, and advantageously provide a means for tracking time, e.g., during a waterboard session. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in a cuff- closed configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in a cuff-released configuration; and

Figure 3 is a close-up view of a cuff according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the terms proximal and distal are used in their directional/positional sense to indicate directed toward or closer to a user (proximal) and directed away or farther from the user (distal).

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific methods, materials, components, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates a watch leash 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Watch leash 100 includes a cuff 101 configured to encircle an extremity of a waterboard user, such as a surfer or bodyboarder, which extremity my be an arm or a leg. Preferably, the cuff may be adjustable to fit comfortably around an ankle, a thigh, a wrist or a bicep of the user. The cuff may be sewn or otherwise attached to a strap 101b, such as a nylon or neoprene strap for example. Strap 101b may include means for fastening and adjusting the cuff, such as a VELCRO fastener, for example. The cuff 101 may incorporate a waterproof timekeeping device 102. Waterproof timekeeping device 102 may be, for example, an analog or digital watch, a stopwatch, a countdown timer or other type of timekeeping device. In one embodiment, waterproof timekeeping device 102 may also incorporate a tide gauge. In embodiments, a watch leash 100 may further include a tide gauge in addition to a timekeeping device 102.

Watch leash 100 may also include a non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103. Non- rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 may have a proximal end 104 with a lanyard 105 to attach non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 to cuff 101. In one embodiment, non-rigid,

shock-absorbing member 103 may be fabricated as a coil from a plastic such as polyurethene, for example, or other such materials as are known in the art.

Non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 may have a plastic coating 106, as illustrated in Figure 1. Lanyard 105 may include, a swivel 107 fabricated from brass or other corrosion resistant material. Swivel 107 may be secured to cuff 101 with a loop 101c formed in strap 101b, such that non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 has at least two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to cuff 101. The proximal end of non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 may be secured to swivel 107 via a screw attachment 108, and protected by a molded elastomeric covering 109. In one embodiment (not illustrated), non- rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 may fabricated from a non-coiled elastomeric material to provide shock absorbing qualities.

In one embodiment, the distal end of non-rigid, shock-absorbing member 103 may have may be connected to a lanyard 110, which may be of the same or similar construction as lanyard 105, for attachment to a non-rigid, substantially non-shock-absorbing member 111, such that non-rigid shock-absorbing member 103 has at least two degrees of freedom or motion with respect to non-rigid, substantially non-shock-absorbing member 111. Non- rigid, substantially non-shock-absorbing member 111 may be a strap (e.g., a nylon strap) having a proximal end loop 112 configured to engage a swivel 113 in lanyard 110. Swivel 113 may be of the same or similar construction to swivel 107 in lanyard 105. Non-rigid substantially non-shock-absorbing member 111 may have a distal end with a loop 114 configured to capture a retaining loop 115, which may be a loop of woven nylon, for example. Loop 115 may be configured to engage an anchor pin 116. In one embodiment, anchor pin 116 may have a cylindrical or polygonal shank 117, tapered or otherwise configured for a friction fit to a mating receptacle in a waterboard such as a

surfboard or bodyboard. Alternately, shank 117 may be configured with splines, keys or other devices as are known in the art to achieve a locking fit with a matching receptacle in a waterboard.

Figure 2 illustrates watch leash 100 in a configuration with strap 101b released for fitting to a user.

Figure 3 is a close-up view of cuff 101 illustrating waterproof timekeeping device 102 mounted to strap 101b within fabric 101a.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.