US20070178783A1

US20070178783A1 - Wave rider with connector strap and signal light

Info

Publication number: US20070178783A1
Application number: US11/344,517
Authority: US
Inventors: Alyssa Hansen; Amy Hansen; Kaycee Johnsen; Nicholas Johnsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-31
Filing date: 2006-01-31
Publication date: 2007-08-02

Abstract

A boomerang shaped wave rider board, specifically designed to be used by children and young adolescents in the whitewater portion of a breaking wave is disclosed. The board has a pair of elastic connectors on each side to enable two or more boards to be connected in parallel so that riders can ride in tandem. The board also has a remote signaling device so that a person on shore can signal to a rider in the water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field of wave riding boards, in particular, to a wave riding board particularly shaped for smaller riders, and having a connecting strap to enable tandem riding by a plurality of riders with similarly enabled boards.
2. Background of the Prior Art
It is well known to use a substantially planar body to ride waves. Because the waves usually are found in surf adjacent a shoreline, such sport is generally referred to as “surfing” and the bodies used as “surfboards”. Normally, a “surfer”, as the board riders are called, stands upright on the board, and steers it by the positioning of feet and placement of weight relative to the board as it is being propelled by a wave.
Prior art surfboards are generally comprised of a fiberglass outer covering on a preshaped foam center core. Such construction is relatively expensive because of the amount of hardwood required, caused in part by the materials used and at least in part by the fact that generally the outer surface is not a mold surface so that considerable finishing is required. When prior art surfboards are reduced to a small size for carrying a kneeling passenger, such as employed in the presently preferred embodiment, they do not provide sufficient buoyancy to support an average teenage or adult passenger. In addition, because of the hard surface of prior art surfboards such devices are impractical to use safely in the kneeling position over more abrasive and less yieldable surfaces such as sand or snow covered ground. In addition, the hulls of the prior art do not permit the board to be ridden backwards or sidewards, and if any turning is attempted the board will flip over or “wipe out.”
Body boards are well known, typically having a board-shaped hull including one or more downwardly projecting stabilizers, an upper deck surface for supporting a rider, and a restraining device such as a strap for keeping the board connected to the rider in the event of a wipeout. These devices are typically used for surfing, downhill skiing, as well as being towed behind a vehicle with the rider holding a tow rope. Body boards that are to be towed are mounted from a prone or kneeling position in the water, by holding the towline with one hand and grasping the board with the other as towing is initiated. Once planing ensues, the rider assumes a kneeling position; then, while again holding the line with one hand, restraining devices are put on with the other hand, after which both hands are free to hold the towline.
While the prior art may be effective to describe surfboards and flotation devices for adults, none is specifically configured for use by children. None of the prior art examples disclose body board that can be attached to a similarly equipped board, wherein the board is sized and configured especially for use by children and adolescents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a boomerang shaped wave rider board, specifically designed to be used by children in the whitewater portion of a breaking wave near the shoreline. The board has a pair of connectors on each side to enable two boards to be attached in parallel by a flexible cord so that riders can ride in tandem. The board also has a remote signaling device so that a person on shore can signal to a rider in the water.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wave rider board that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wave rider board having a boomerang shape for hydrodynamic efficiency. A related object of the present invention is to provide a wave rider board made of lightweight material that is sturdy and buoyant. A further related object of the present invention is to provide a wave rider board with a cover for a comfortable ride.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave rider board that can be connected to a similarly equipped board. A related object of the present invention is provide a wave rider board with a rubber tether for attaching to another board. A further related object of the present invention is to provide a wave rider board with a quick-release connection for attaching boards together.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wave rider board having a signal-receiving device to enable remote signaling to a rider on such board. A related object is to provide a remote transmitter to enable a signal to be sent to the board.
The various features of novelty that characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a wave rider board according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an illustration of flexible connection tether according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a wave rider board, indicated generally as 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Board 10 comprises a body 14 having a substantially boomerang shape comprising a nose section 17 and split tail sections 20, 21. The body 14 should be capable of floating in water. In a preferred embodiment, the body 14 is made of a polyethylene material having a high percentage of closed cell construction. In a most preferred embodiment, the body 14 is constructed of at least 86% closed cell polyethylene. The body 14 is covered with a fabric material, such as neoprene. In some embodiments, a neoprene type material is used to cover the top deck 23 of the body only, with a different material that allows water to pass through the material covering the sides and bottom.
On one or both of the tail sections 20, 21, a flat connector piece 26 is provided. The connector piece 26 may comprise a soft surface, such as the loop portion of a hook and loop type fastener. A flexible connector tether, shown generally as 30 in FIG. 2, can be used to connect board 10 to another similarly equipped board. In general the tether 30, sometimes referred to as a rubber leash, is fabricated of a continuous rubber piece. The leash 30 comprises a flat element 33 with a complementary fastening means 36, such as the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener for attaching to connector piece 26. The leash 30 includes an elongated rubber cord portion 39 attached to the flat element 33 on one end and having an aperture 42 on the remaining end for attaching the leash 30 to the board 10. While the length of the elongated rubber cord portion 39 is not critical, it should be approximately 3 to 4 feet in length to prevent interference between two boards attached in parallel and to allow boards to occupy different elevations on the same wave.
In practice, the tether 30 is attached to a first board 10 using a leash plug (not shown) that goes through the aperture 42 and into the body 14 of board 10. While such leash plugs are known in the art, the standard length of such plugs is shorter than preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the leash plug should penetrate completely through the board 10. The tether 30 can be attached to a second board by fastening the flat element 33 onto connector piece 26. The tether 30 is sized and configured to enable two or more boards to be connected in parallel.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the board 10 is also provided with an indicator device 45, such as a light in the nose section 17, connected to a signal-receiving device. A remote transmitter (not shown) can send a signal to the signal-receiving device in the board 10 that causes the indicator 45 to signal a rider. In use, a parent or other person having the transmitter can signal the user of the board by causing an indicator light to light up. Other indicators, such as sound transmission devices, can also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the range for the signal transmitter should be about 50 yards.
The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A wave rider board, comprising:

a rigid floatation body;

a flexible tether attached to said body to enable said rigid body to be releasably connected to a similarly equipped wave rider board; and

an indicator device operatively connected to a signal-receiving device.

2. The wave rider board of claim 1, wherein said rigid body is substantially boomerang-shaped having a nose portion and split tail sections

3. The wave rider board of claim 1, said rigid body further comprising a fabric covering around said body.

4. The wave rider board of claim 3, wherein said fabric covering comprises neoprene.

5. The wave rider board of claim 1, said rigid body further comprising a connector piece.

6. The wave rider board of claim 5, wherein said connector piece comprises at least a portion of a hook and loop fastener.

7. The wave rider board of claim 6, wherein said connector piece comprises the loop portion of said hook and loop fastener.

8. The wave rider board of claim 1, said flexible tether further comprising a substantially rubber leash having a fastening means.

9. The wave rider board of claim 8, wherein said fastening means comprises at least a portion of a hook and loop fastener.

10. The wave rider board of claim 9, wherein said fastening means comprises the loop portion of said hook and loop fastener.

11. The wave rider board of claim 1, wherein said indicator device comprises a light.

12. The wave rider board of claim 1, wherein said indicator device comprises a sound generation device.