| WO/2015/179030 | THERMOPLASTIC FIBER COMPOSITE WATER SPORTS BOARD AND FIN |
| JP3054362 | [Name of idea] Catamaran for windsurfing |
| WO/2002/000497 | GRIP PADS AND ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR FOR USE THEREWITH |
| WO2005028294A1 | 2005-03-31 | |||
| WO1997027100A1 | 1997-07-31 | |||
| WO1990003306A2 | 1990-04-05 | |||
| WO2002072405A2 | 2002-09-19 |
| GB2167016A | 1986-05-21 | |||
| EP0119747A1 | 1984-09-26 | |||
| US4894035A | 1990-01-16 | |||
| AU2003204628A1 | 2005-01-06 | |||
| AU3681584A | 1986-06-19 | |||
| US6334799B1 | 2002-01-01 | |||
| FR2848464A1 | 2004-06-18 | |||
| EP1350543A1 | 2003-10-08 |
| 1. | ; A surfboard with a. narrowed waist having a wider area (when viewed in plan ) in front of and behind the mid section, and norrowing to each end.The narrow waist ("hour glass shape") allow the surfboard to be turned using the shape of the side rail (edge) and thus minimising or negating the need for fins.The nose and tailof board are similar in shape, turning upwards at each end to enable the rider to surf forewards or backwards more easily than with conventional surfboards. |
| 2. | A surfbord as claimed in 1. including channels in underside, shaped with a parabolic curve radiating from the central area of board toward outer edges toward each end. These channels thus create ridges which are more pronounced at the wider sections toward front and rear,as the middle of the underside of board has minimal channel depth.Thιe channels and ridges assist with the boards traction in the water to give surfer more control while turning. |
| 3. | A surfboard as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this day. |
| 4. | A surfboard with a narrowed waist. |
| 5. | A surfboard with a channel or number of channels directing water flow from under mid section of board toward the outer edge at back (tail area)of board. |
| 6. | A surfboard with a ridge or number of ridges (and/or channels) on underside of board.(and/or on underside edge of rail), becoming more pronounced toward either or both ends of the surfboards(and or near the central line of the underside ,toward either or both ends of board) which act to direct water flow from under the middle of the board (or from the underside of the mid section close to the rail) to the outer edge near the back toward the side of the board, whilst moving in a forward direction. This would act to direct water (and surfboard respectively) in a similar way to how a fin (or number of fins) would direct water to assist the rider to control turns and manoeuvre board. As viewed from the underside, the ridge(s) and or channel(s) would tend to develop from near the middle of the underside of the board, and curve outward(tcnding to favour a parabolic curve) to both sides near the back(and/or front), with the exception of ridge(s) or channel(s) that would be straight and follow the central line of the surfboard on the underside(or straight ridge(s)and/or channel(s) that direct water to outer edges of board). |
Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to surfboards and more particularly to a surfboard having a narrow waist, and lacking fins.
Background of the Invention
Conventional surfboards have one or more fins located in the tail section. These fins provide a certain degree of stability but detract from the surfboard's ability to be surfed backwards. The fins may also interfere with some aerobatic or acrobatic capabilities of the board.
Objects and Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the invention to provide a surfboard having a narrowed waist and lacking fins.
It is another object of the invention to. provide a surfboard having an intermediate concave section in the side rails.
It is another object of the invention to provide a surfboard which can be surfed both forward and backward. Accordingly, there is provided a surfboard having a narrowed wast and lacking fins.
In preferred embodiments, a central portion of the rail is, to some degree, concave.
Brief Description of the Drawing Figures
Figure i is a top plan view of a surfboard made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Only half of the top plan is shown.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the board depicted in Figure i; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the surfboard depicted in Figure i illustrating the central concave portion that defines a central flow channel;
i
Figures 4(a)-(h) are transverse cross sections also indicating their longitudinal position with respect to the plan view illustrated in this figure;
Figures 5(a)-(h) are cross sections of the concave portion of the rail illustrating various suitable embodiments;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and Figure η illustrates two bottom plan views depicting the utilisation of auxiliary channels.
Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Invention
As shown in Figure i, a surfboard io comprises a construction such as a conventional construction with a foam core to which a fibreglass or other • composite exterior is applied. As shown in the plan view of Figure l, the rounded front of the surfboard Ii is similar to the rear of the surfboard 12. It need not be identical. The board is characterised by a narrowing waist portion 13. The narrowing waist 13 creates lateral lobes 14, 15, Thus, the degree of concavity of the waist 13 in plan view is determined by the dimension Y. The dimension V may be determined by a number of factors including the length of the board, the type of waves that are to be ridden and the board rider's preferences.
As shown in Figure 2, the board has a generally uniform rocker or bottom curvature 21. It may be flatter in the middle. In addition, the board is characterised by a certain degree of nose lift "h" and tail lift "g". In some embodiments, the nose lift "h" is greater than equal to one half of the tail lift "g". It can also be seen in Figure 2 that the thickness at each end of the board 22, 23 is generally less than the thickness 24 in the middle of the board. Figure 2 also illustrates that the board lacks fins. In alternate embodiments, front or rear fins may be required to provide optional and enhanced stability or turning ability.
As shown in Figure 3, the underside of the board 31 evidences a centrally located concave rail section 32 in the side rails, The lowest surface 32 of the concave portion is lower than the underside 33 of the surfboard. It may project below the underside 33 by 5-5omm although it will be understood that this
maximum drop from the underside may taper from a maximum near the middle of the rail 34 toward a minimum at the longitudinal extremes of the central concave section of the rail 35, 36- Note that the rail preferably does not extend beyond the maximum width of the front and rear lobes 37, 38. The area between the rails 32 defines a central "hour glass" shaped channel 39 that may be flatter than the rails.
As shown in Figure 4, the geometry of the board 10 is explained with reference to various transverse cross sections 4(a)-4(h). As depicted in cross sections 4(a) and 4Q1), the front and rear of the board 41, 42 are fairly conventional in cross section. Figure 4(b) illustrates that there is a certain amount of deck roll off 43 that is located between the front 42 and the maximum width at the first lobe "a". Figure 4(c) shows a cross section close to the maximum front lobe "a". Note that the side rail 44 now extends below the bottom surface 45 and creates a small concave area 46. As shown in Figure 4(d), the concave area 46(a) is more pronounced in the region between the maximum front lobe width "a" and the narrowed waist "y". The extreme tip of the rail 47 is also somewhat blunted with respect to the rail tip depicted in Figure 4(c). At the mid point of the board or the narrowest waist portion "y" the concave area 46(b) of the rail is even more pronounced and at this point the rail reaches its maximum elevation below the lower surface 45. At this point the interior "grab" depth of the rail may reach a distance of 5-5omm. As shown in Figure 4(1), the mid point between the waist and the rear lobe is similar in cross section to Figure 4(d), the mid point between the front lobe and the waist. Similarly, the cross section shown in Figure 4(g) is similar to that depicted in Figure 4(c),
Although a particular concave rail configuration has been shown by way of example with reference to Figures 4(c)-4(g), it will be understood that other concave rail geometries are suitable for implementation with a board as presently disclosed. Figure 5(a)-5(h) illustrate a variety of typical rail geometries that could be substituted for the rail geometry depicted in Figure 4(e), that is generally representative of the maximum extent of rail concavity. Figure $(a) illustrates a mild concave portion Sl and a fairly sharp rail tip 52 which is turned down and out from a relatively flat deck 53. The upper surface of the rail 54 being gently rounded. As shown in Figure s(b), the concavity 55
is more pronounced and the rail tip 56 is somewhat sharper and turned in. The outer grab radius of the rail 57 also "turns under" more than the embodiment depicted in Figure 5(a). As shown in Figure 5(0) the concavity 58 is well pronounced and the rail includes a sharp edge 59 located between two flat portions 60, 61 that define the underside of the rail. Figure 5(d) illustrates a rail having a concave portion 61 and a lateral flat portion 62 that are separated from one another by an edge 63. Figure s(e) illustrates an enlarged, large radius concave portion 64 with a moderate edge roll 65 extending between the deck 66 and the lower edge 67 of the. rail. Figure 5(1) illustrates a tapered rail 68 that narrows to an edge 69 and that incorporates a modest concave portion 70. Figure s(g) illustrates a rail 71 with a more aggressive concave section 72. Notice that the rail's edge 73 is "turned in" or directed inwardly toward the centre line of the board. Figure 5(h) illustrates a rail 74 having a generally flat bottom 75 characterised by a pair of lateral edges 76, 77, The interior edge 77 is located between the flat portion 75 and the concave area 78.
As shown in Figure 6, the teachings of the present invention may be applied to a board having two narrowed waist portions 6l, 62 along each longitudinal edge. The teachings made in Figures 4 and 5 with reference to the rail geometry can be applied to one of the waists 61, 62 or both of them,
As shown in Figure 7, additional channels or chines may be provided on the under surface 90 of a board 10 made in accordance of the teachings of the present invention. Figure 7(a) illustrates curved channels 91 that create multiple flow paths that originate in a central region 92 of the board and extend, symmetrically toward the side edges 93 that form the rear of the board, These channels or chines 91 enhance the board's turning ability and compensate for the board's minimisation or lack of fin area. Figure 7(b) illustrates straight channels 94 which extend from the mid line of the board 95 toward the side edges 96 at the rear of the board. While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to a variety of details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of teaching example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention. It. will be appreciated that the many constructional
features may be combined in various ways with each other and with convention surfboard features to yield a novel surface board design.
As shown in Figure 8,the geometry of the surfboard is explained with reference to various transverse Cross sections 8(a)-8(j). As depicted in cross section 8(f) the underside of the side rail 81 adopts a more conventional shape where channel depth and "sharpness" of edge rail are minimized to allow "release" as may be desired by some surfing styles. The channel depth and "sharpness" of edge rail increase as they approach 82 and 83.In Figure 9 depicts the underside of board, shaded areas 91-98 indicate possible position of channels thus creating ridges at areas indicated 9(a)-9(j).Note flatter mid area 9(k).