This invention relates to paddleboards and, more especially, this invention relates to inflatable paddleboards.

When an inflatable paddleboard is used, especially at high speeds of travel or in adverse weather conditions, increased forces act upon the paddleboard. These increased forces act to deform the shape of the paddleboard, which in turn adversely affects the efficiency of operation of the paddleboard and its predictability.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided an inflatable paddleboard comprising a body having an upper surface for receiving a person and a lower surface for engaging water, and the inflatable paddleboard being such that:

(i) the inflatable paddleboard comprises stiffening means;

(ii) the stiffening means is located on the upper surface of the body;

(iii) the stiffening means extends longitudinally of the body and thereby stiffens the body in a longitudinal direction; and (iv) the inflatable paddleboard includes adjuster means which is able to act on the stiffening means to cause within the stiffening means a compression force which resists upward bending of the body by waves, and which is also able to alternatively act on the stiffening means to cause within the stiffening means a tension force which causes or enhances an upward curve in a front portion of the body.

The inflatable paddleboard of the present invention is advantageous in that the adjuster means enables the stiffening means to provide both of two alternative possibilities. The first alternative possibility is where the adjuster means is able to act on the stiffening means to cause within the stiffening means the compression force which resists upward bending of the body by the waves. This type of stiffening for the inflatable paddleboard may be preferred by some persons in appropriate water conditions. The second alternative possibility is where the adjuster means is also able to act on the stiffening means to cause within the stiffening means the tension force which causes or enhances the upward curve in the front portion of the body. An upward curve, or an enhanced upward curve if the inflatable paddleboard is constructed normally to have an upward curve, may be preferred by some persons in various water conditions. Thus the inflatable paddleboard of the present invention is able to provide a person with two possible constructions, which can be chosen as desired, and which are both able to enhance performance and/or stability of the inflatable paddleboard in dependence upon water and weather conditions. The enhanced performance and stability may be the result of resisting deformation forces which may act on the inflatable paddleboard at higher speeds of travel and/or in adverse weather conditions. The inflatable paddleboard is thus able to be adjusted to operate with optimum efficiency and with a greater degree of predictability than would be the case without the stiffening means.

The inflatable paddleboard may be one in which the adjuster means acts on the stiffening means by adjusting the length of the stiffening means, in which adjustment to increase the length of the stiffening means causes the compression force which is within the stiffening means and which resists the upward bending of the body by the waves, and in which adjustment to decrease the length of the stiffening means causes the tension force which is within the stiffening means and which causes or enhances the upward curve in the front portion of the body.

The inflatable paddleboard may be one in which the adjuster means is a screw adjuster means, in which the adjuster means is rotated in a first direction to increase the length of the stiffening means, and in which the screw adjuster means is rotated in a second and opposite direction to decrease the length of the stiffening means.

Typically, the stiffening means will be a removable stiffening means. This facilitates the inflation and deflation of the inflatable paddleboard for transportation and storage. If desired however the stiffening means may permanently be attached to the inflatable paddleboard. The stiffening means may include an elongate stiffening member. Other constructions for the stiffening means may be employed.

The elongate stiffening member may have a first end for engaging with first locating means positioned on the body, and a second end for engaging with second locating means positioned on the body and remote from the first locating means.

The first locating means may be a first member which upstands from the upper surface of the body, and which has a first aperture for receiving the first end of the elongate stiffening member. The first aperture may be a blind bore. Other types of first aperture may be employed so that, for example, the first aperture may be a slot or a blind bore with a bayonet fixing. When the elongate stiffening member is used under a compression load, the first aperture may simply be a blind bore. When the elongate stiffening member is used under a tension load, the first aperture will normally include an anchor means, for example a bayonet fitting. Other types of first locating means may be employed.

The second locating means may be a second member which upstands from the upper surface of the body, and which has a second aperture for receiving the second end of the elongate stiffening member. The second aperture may be a slot. Other types of second aperture may be employed so that, for example, the second aperture may be a blind bore. Other types of second locating means may be employed.

The inflatable paddleboard may include third locating means positioned between the first and second locating means. The third locating means may be a third member which upstands from the upper surface of the body, and which has a third aperture for receiving the elongate stiffening member. The third aperture may be a through bore. Other types of third aperture may be employed so that, for example, the third aperture may be in an upstanding hook.

The elongate stiffening member may be a hollow tube. Other types of elongate stiffening member may be employed so that, for example, the elongate stiffening member may be a solid rod. The elongate stiffening member is preferably circular in cross section but it may have other cross sectional shapes if desired, for example square, octagonal or hexagonal.

The inflatable paddleboard may be one in which the screw adjuster means is positioned on the first end of the elongate stiffening member.

The inflatable paddleboard may include locking means for locking the stiffening means in position.

The locking means may be a cam locking means. Other types of locking means may be employed.

Typically, the stiffening means will extend along a longitudinal axis of the inflatable paddleboard. If desired, the stiffening means may extend such that it is off the longitudinal axis.

The stiffening means may extend from a front portion of the body towards a rear portion of the body. The extent to which the stiffening means extends from the front portion of the body may vary as may be desired. Thus, for example, the stiffening means may extend from the front portion of the body towards a centre portion of the body, or it may extend further, for example over three quarters of the length of the body or further to extend over the entire length of body. Alternatively, if desired, the stiffening means may extend from the rear portion of the body towards the front portion of the body.

The inflatable paddleboard may include fins on the lower surface of the body. The number and positioning of the fins may be as on known paddleboards. Thus, for example, there may be two fins on the rear of the inflatable paddleboard and a central fin.

Preferably, the inflatable paddleboard is an inflatable stand-up paddleboard. The inflatable paddleboard may alternatively be a lie-down inflatable paddleboard. The inflatable paddleboard may be one which is used for a variety of purposes.

The inflatable paddleboard may be made of a wide variety of materials. Preferably the inflatable paddleboard is made of polyvinyl chloride coated dropstitch material. Other materials for the inflatable paddleboard include, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane coated dropstitch material, polyurethane, or Hypalon coated dropstitch material, the Hypalon being a trade mark for a rubber/neoprene based material.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first inflatable paddleboard in use with a person standing on the inflatable paddleboard;

Figure 2 shows the inflatable paddleboard of Figure 1 and without the person; Figure 3 shows how the inflatable paddleboard is assembled with stiffening means forming part of the inflatable paddleboard;

Figure 4 illustrates how parts of the stiffening means are located on an upper surface of the inflatable paddleboard;

Figure 5 shows a second inflatable paddleboard in use with a person standing on the inflatable paddleboard;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are side views illustrating how the inflatable paddleboard shown in Figure 1 operates;

Figure 9 is a side view of the paddleboard shown in Figure 5 and is given for purposes of comparison with Figures 6, 7 and 8; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of alternative adjuster means that may be employed in the inflatable paddleboards shown in Figures 1 - 9, with the adjuster means being used with locking means for locking the stiffening means in position.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown an inflatable paddleboard 2 comprising a body 4 having an upper surface 6 for receiving a person 8, and a lower surface 10 for engaging water. The inflatable paddleboard 2 is such that it comprises stiffening means 12. The stiffening means 12 is located on the upper surface 6 of the body 4. The stiffening means 12 extends longitudinally of the body 4 and thereby stiffens the body 4 in a longitudinal direction.

The stiffening means 12 extends from a front portion 14 of the body 4 towards a rear portion 16 of the body 4. The inflatable paddleboard 2 includes adjuster means 18. The adjuster means 18 is able to act on the stiffening means 12 to cause within the stiffening means 12 a compression force which resists upward bending of the body 4 by waves. The adjuster means 18 is also able to alternatively act on the stiffening means 12 to cause within the stiffening means 12 a tension force which causes or enhances an upward curve in a front portion of the body 4.

The stiffening means 12 includes an elongate stiffening member 20. The elongate stiffening member 20 has a first end 22 for engaging with first locating means 24 positioned at the front portion 14 of the body 4. The elongate stiffening member 20 also has a second end 26 for engaging with second locating means 28 positioned remote from the first locating means 24.

The first locating means 24 is a first member 30 which upstands from the upper surface 6 of the body 4 and which has a first aperture 32 for receiving the first end 22 of the elongate stiffening member 20. The first aperture 32 is in the form of a blind bore.

The second locating means 28 is a second member 34 which upstands from the upper surface 6 of the body 4, and which has a second aperture 36 for receiving the second end 26 of the elongate stiffening member 20. The second aperture 36 is a slot.

The inflatable paddleboard 2 includes third locating means 38 positioned between the first and second locating means 24, 28. The third locating means 38 is a third member 40 which upstands from the upper surface 6 of the body 4, and which has a third aperture 42 for receiving the elongate stiffening member 20. The third aperture 42 is a through bore.

The elongate stiffening member 20 is a tube. The tube 20 is a hollow tube. The tube 20 may be made from carbon fibre, a glass reinforced plastics material, or a combination of a glass reinforced plastics material and carbon fibre.

The adjuster means 18 is a screw adjuster means 18 which acts on the stiffening member 20 by adjusting the length of the stiffening member 20. The adjuster means 18 is positioned as shown on the second end 26 of the elongate stiffening member 20. Thus the adjuster means 18 is formed as an integral part of the stiffening member 20. Adjustment of the adjuster means 18 is by rotating a screw threaded tube 44 which is accessed through the second aperture 36 in the form of the illustrated slot. Rotation of the tube 44 in a first direction causes the elongate stiffening member 20 to increase in length. Rotation of the tube 44 in a second and opposite direction causes the elongate stiffening member 20 to decrease in length.

The stiffening means 12 extends along a longitudinal axis of the inflatable paddleboard 2. The stiffening means 12 also extends from the front portion 14 of the body 4 to a central portion 46 of the body 4.

The inflatable paddleboard 2 includes fins 48.

The inflatable paddleboard 2 is an inflatable stand-up paddleboard 2.

As can be appreciated from Figure 1 , the person 8 stands on the central portion 46 of the upper surface 6 of the body 4. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown an inflatable paddleboard 66 which is like the inflatable paddleboard 2 except that the stiffening means 12 extends from the rear portion 16 of the body 4 towards the front portion 14 of the body 4. Similar parts as in the inflatable paddleboard 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate operation of the inflatable paddleboard 2 as shown in Figures 1 - 4. Parts only of the inflatable paddleboard 2 have been shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Figure 9 is like Figure 7 but with the stiffening means 12 extending from the rear portion 16 of the inflatable paddleboard 66.

The paddleboards shown in Figures 6 - 9 all have the same illustrated left hand position. The paddleboards may be, for example, 120mm thick. Figure 6 illustrates that when deflected upwardly, the upper surface of the inflatable paddleboard will become shorter, and the lower surface of the inflatable paddleboard 2 will become longer.

Figure 7 illustrates how increasing the length of the stiffening means 12 causes a compression force which is within the stiffening means 12 and which is able to resist the upward bending force from waves. Figure 8 illustrates how reducing the length of the stiffening means 12 applies a tension force which is within the stiffening means 12 and which is able to induce an upward curve into the front portion 14 of the inflatable paddleboard 2. Figure 9 illustrates how the principles shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 are able to be applied to the inflatable paddleboard 66 with its rearward mounted stiffening means 12. Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown the left hand part of stiffening means 68. The stiffening means 68 includes an elongate stiffening member 70 which is in the form of a rod. The elongate stiffening member 70 has integral adjuster means in the form of a screw threaded extension member 72 which screws into a bore (not shown) in the elongate stiffening member 70. The extension member 72 has a head 74. The head 74 is able to be slid along a channel 76 into a recess 78. When in the recess 78, the head 74 and thus the left hand end of the entire elongate stiffening member 70 are located in position in second locating means 80. The extension member 72 is able to be screwed into and out of the bore in the elongate stiffening member 70 in order to adjust the length of the elongate extension member 70 and make it longer or shorter as required. When the elongate stiffening member 70 is at the required length, a lever 82 of locking means 84 is able to be operated. The locking means 84 is a cam operated locking means. The downward movement of the lever 82 causes a cam 86 to bear on the head 74 and maintain the head 74 in position. When the lever 82 is raised again to the position shown in Figure 10, then the cam 86 does not bear on the head 74 such as to hold the head 74 in position in the recess 78. The elongate stiffening member 70 can thus then be slid out from the second locating means 80 via the channel 76. The elongate stiffening means 70 can thus be removed from the remainder of its inflatable paddleboard, and this may be useful for inflation and deflation and storage of the inflatable paddleboard.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the inflatable paddleboard 2 may be used for purposes other than an inflatable stand-up paddleboard. When the inflatable paddleboard 2 is being used as an inflatable stand-up paddleboard 2, then the person 8 may use a paddle 50. If the inflatable paddleboard 2 is used with a person 8 lying on the upper surface 6 of the body 4, then the person 8 may use their hands.

As can best be seen from Figure 4, the various components of the stiffening means 12 are easily provided on the upper surface 6 of the body 4. More specifically, the first member 30 is able to be stuck in the position 52. The second member 34 is able to be stuck in the position 54 using a ring 56 which locates over a flange 58. The third member 40 is similarly located at a position 60 using a ring 62 which locates over a flange 64. Any suitable and appropriate adhesives may be employed. Figure 3 illustrates how the elongate stiffening member 20 is able to be inserted and removed through the third aperture 42 during assembly and dismantling of the adjuster means 18.

The inflatable paddleboard 2 may be made from a wide variety of materials. Other types of stiffening means and other types of adjuster means may be employed. Thus, for example, the adjuster means may alternatively be a cam arrangement. The cam arrangement may be an over centre cam arrangement. The inflatable paddleboard 2 may have more or less than the illustrated two fins 48. The first, second and third apertures 32, 34, 42 may be of different constructions to those shown. The first aperture 32 may include a bayonet fitting or other anchor means for positive location of the end of the elongate stiffening member 20. The stiffening means 12 may extend further towards the rear of the body 4 of the paddleboard 2. Thus, for example the stiffening means 12 may extend three quarters of the length of the body 4 or it may extend the entire length of the body 4. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.