This invention refers to an improvement developed to device destined for retracting the leash of a surfboard. The leashes for attaching the surfer to the surfboard have long length in order to allow freedom of movements and maneuvers, as well as the free movement of the surfer after s/he has fallen on the water. This fact makes the leash to extend out the board, being dragged in the water, which may compromise the maneuver. Another disadvantage of this system is that due to the inertness of the surfboard's movement, when the surfer falls on the water the leash is tensed, therefore stretching and causing a back effect ("jolt") that may injure the surfer's leg or even move the board against the surfer's body, causing a strong impact. Another disadvantage is that the leash can roll around the surfer's body, thus implying risks. Therefore, this invention has as object to improve the device destined to automatically maintain the length of the leash as short as possible, efficiently resolving the disadvantages mentioned in the state of the art. The retracting device comprises an arched cover mounted with a rotary movement onto a flat base, and which has an inner spool to which the leash is attached, which is attached to a strip that wraps the surfer's ankle. Between the spool and the base are mounted elastic means that cause the rotation of the spool in the direction of return of the leash. The cover has an outlet for the release of the leash. An axle centrally attached to the cover allows the spool to spin, as well as a free rotation of the base, which is duly attached to the surfboard. A screw is threaded to the axle with a washer to maintain the base mounted with a rotary movement in the cover, thus sealing the device. A de-twister is attached to the free end of the leash, and duly attached to the strip that wraps the surfer's ankle.

Alternatively, the device may present opposite thread eyes in order to allow its attachment to the ankle strip, thus inverting its position, where then the leash's free end is attached to the board through the de-twister. A tall protector may be used in this option, between the end of the leash and the board, destined to impede the direct contact of these elements. This protector may be

made of elastic material or, otherwise, the leash can be flexible as a manner to avoid the "jolt" when the leash extends up to its end.

The improvement to automatic retraction device of surfboard's leash object of this invention presents the following advantages over the conventional systems:

- gain in the surfer's performance, since the leash remains permanently inside the device, thus not being dragged in the water, nor requiring the surfer's attention concerning the position of the leash while paddling on the board, while moving the foot to drop the wave, and in air maneuvers;

- it is quite practical, since the device releases automatically releases the feash in case of movements in which the surfer demands more length of the leash, through the traction force applied thereto;

- it increases the surfer's security, since the elastic means provided in the leash impede the so-calted "jolt" effect, thus not causing discomforts to the surfer;

- it avoids risks of accidents related to a loose leash that may roll around the members or neck of the surfer;

- it makes it more comfortable to surf, since it does not need the constant act of moving the feash that is fallen by the side of the surfer;

- it facilitates the surfboard's transportation, which will not longer will have the leash hanging and the ankle strip dragged, thus exempting the proctess of rolling the leash around the surfboard;

- it is reduced in size, of tow cost, easy to assemble and install in any type of surfboard, even in the surfboards currently available.

The improvement developed in the leash's automatic retraction device proposed in this invention can be best understood through the following detailed description, based on the drawings attached hereto, as listed below:

Figure 1 - side breakdown view of the device; Figure 2 - cross-section view of the device; Figure 3 - side view of the device mounted on the board; Figure 4 -front view of one option of the device mounted to the ankle strip; Figure 5 - perspective of the surfboard's tail protector.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the improvement to leash's automatic retraction device, which comprises an arched cover (1 ) mounted with a rotary movement onto a flat base (2), and which has an inner spool (3) to which the leash (4) is attached, which is attached to a strip (not illustrated) that wraps the surfer's ankle. Between the spool (3) and the base (2) are mounted elastic means (5) that cause the rotation of the spool in the direction of return of the leash (4). The cover (1) has an outlet (11) for the release of the leash. An axle (12) centrally attached to the cover (1) allows the free spinning of the spool (3). The base (2) has a central hole (21) that serves as a bearing for the cover's axle (12), also allowing it to spin freely. A screw is threaded to the axle (12) with a washer (6) to maintain the base (2) mounted with a rotary movement in the cover (1), thus sealing the device. A de-twister (7) is attached to the free end of the leash (4), and duly attached to the strip that wraps the surfer's ankle.

The elastic means (5) are preferably a traction spring, specially of the blade-type, having an end that fits in a groove of the cover's axle (12), while its opposite end fits to a groove in the spool (3).

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative option of the device, presenting the base with opposite thread eyes (22) in order to allow its attachment to the ankle strip C ⁸ ). where the leash's (4) free end is attached to the board (B) through the de-twister (7). A tail protector (9) may be used in this option, between the end of the leash (4) and the board (B), destined to impede the direct contact of these elements. This protector (9) may be made of elastic or rigid material. In this second alternative the leash shall then be flexible, in order to avoid the "jolt" when the leash extends up to its end.