INFLATABLE STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD AND BUILT-IN INFLATION PUMP

Abstract

An inflatable stand-up paddle board (SUP) and a built-in inflation pump are provided. The inflation pump includes a pump body incorporated into a body of the SUP, an inflation assembly, and inflation and deflation valves in communication with an air chamber of the SUP. The body of the SUP includes first and second surfaces and a lateral confining band extending in a circumferential direction of the SUP and covering edges of the first and second surfaces. A mounting space may extend through the air chamber and the inflation pump may be mounted within the mounting space.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Applications CN202220843771.7, filed Apr. 12, 2022 in China; CN202220919071.1, filed Apr. 19, 2022 in China; CN202222819285.4, filed Oct. 24, 2022 in China; and CN202222888232.8, filed Oct. 31, 2022 in China, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with example embodiments relate

2. Description of the Related Art

Stand-up paddle board (SUP) surfing is a sport that has become popular around the world in recent years, combining surfing with a conventional paddleboard. Stand-up paddle boards can be used in oceans, lakes, and rivers for exploration, flat-water paddling, racing, surfing, riptide, yoga on paddleboard, fishing, and life-saving sports.

The SUP is the main tool used SUP surfing. In order to improve the portability of the SUP, an inflatable SUP has been developed, and by deflating and folding the inflatable SUP, the volume of the SUP can be effectively reduced, and it can be made more convenient to carry. However, a conventional inflatable SUP is mostly flat on the bottom thereof—the portion that is meant to be underwater. Thus, water division and directional control mainly rely on the use of a tail rudder installed at the bottom of the SUP, and the resulting water division and directional control are themselves somewhat poor.

Additionally, in a high-pressure inflated state, an outer surface of the stand-up paddle board is easily affected by internal air pressure and sunlight exposure, resulting in deformation and arching of the stand-up paddle board. When a user deflates and folds the stand-up paddle board into a small volume, the outer surface of the stand-up paddle board is easily affected by folding and creases, which will greatly reduce the pressure-bearing capacity of the stand-up paddle board, affect the service life of the stand-up paddle board, and reduce the safety performance.

Furthermore, built-in air pumps used in the inflatable stand-up paddle boards on the market have common characteristics of low inflation efficiency, time-consuming and complex structure. Additionally, it is generally necessary to carry an external inflation pump together with the SUP, resulting in inconvenient carrying and easy omission. Finally, many pumps have no exhaust function, and thus the SUP can only be exhausted and discharged manually, resulting in inconvenient operation and low working efficiency.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments may address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, example embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

An inflation pump comprising: a pump body configured to be incorporated into a stand-up paddle board (SUP), an inflation assembly disposed within the pump body, an inflation port configured to transmit air therethrough to inflate the SUP, an exhaust channel configured to transmit air therethrough to deflate the SUP, an exhaust hole in communication with the exhaust channel, and a deflation valve mounted on the exhaust hole.

The deflation valve comprises a deflation valve rod connected to the exhaust hole, a deflation valve cover connected to a first end of the deflation valve rod and hermetically covering the exhaust hole, and an elastomer mounted between a second end of the deflation valve rod and the pump body.

The inflation pump may further comprise: an air inlet in the pump body and in communication with the inflation assembly, an air inlet valve rod connected to the air inlet, an elastic member mounted between a first end of the air inlet valve rod and the pump body, and an air inlet valve cover connected to a second end of the air inlet valve rod, wherein the air inlet valve cover hermetically covers the air inlet.

The inflation pump may further comprise: a power connector mounted on the pump body, a mounting recess provided on a surface of the pump body, wherein the power connector, the air inlet, and the exhaust hole are all arranged at a bottom of the mounting recess, and a detachable waterproof cover hermetically connected to an open end of the mounting recess.

The inflation pump may further comprise: a button switch mounted to the pump body such that pressing the air inlet valve rod causes the air inlet valve rod to contact the button switch.

The inflation pump may further comprise: a mounting sleeve configured to be arranged on the SUP and comprising an air vent, wherein: the pump body is mounted within the mounting sleeve, and the inflation port is in communication with the air vent; an upper annular sealing gasket connected to an upper end of the mounting sleeve, wherein the upper annular sealing gasket covers an upper edge of the pump body and is configured to be hermetically connected between the SUP and an upper end surface of the pump body; and a lower annular sealing gasket connected to a lower end of the mounting sleeve, wherein the lower annular sealing gasket covers a lower edge of the pump body and is configured to be hermetically connected between the SUP and a lower end surface of the pump body.

The inflation pump may further comprise: a pressure sensor mounted in the pump body, and a pressure pipe connected to the pressure sensor and, in communication with the inflation port.

The inflation assembly comprises: an electric motor, an inflation cylinder, the inflation port disposed at a first end of the inflation cylinder, a piston disposed within the inflation cylinder and comprising a suction hole formed therein, a one-way valve sheet mounted on the piston and covering the suction hole, and a transmission mechanism for driving the piston to reciprocate connected between the piston and the electric motor.

A pump structure comprising: a pump body configured to be incorporated into a stand-up paddle board (SUP); an inflation flow channel disposed within the pump body; an exhaust flow channel disposed within the pump body; an inflation unit mounted on the inflation flow channel in the pump body; and an exhaust unit mounted on the exhaust flow channel in the pump body.

The exhaust unit comprises an exhaust pump and an exhaust valve, a first end of the exhaust flow channel is in communication with an outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an exhaust port; a second end of the exhaust flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms a discharge port; and the exhaust valve is mounted to the discharge port.

The exhaust valve comprises: an exhaust valve rod mounted at the discharge port, and an exhaust valve cover connected to the exhaust valve rod, the exhaust valve cover hermetically sealing the discharge port.

The pump structure may further comprise: an elastic member mounted between the exhaust valve rod and the pump body; a positioning rib disposed on the exhaust valve rod; and a sliding groove formed in an edge of the discharge port and connected to the positioning rib.

The pump structure further comprises an exhaust key switch disposed in the exhaust flow channel and in contact with the exhaust valve cover such that pressing the exhaust valve rod causes the exhaust key switch to activate the exhaust pump; and the exhaust valve rod and the discharge port are positioned such that pressing the exhaust valve rod opens the discharge port.

The pump structure may further comprise: an accommodation cavity disposed in the exhaust flow channel and comprising an air vent formed in a bottom thereof; a partition mounted at a top of the accommodation cavity; a plurality of flow guide plates uniformly distributed on a side wall of the accommodation cavity, each flow guide plate comprising a first end connected to the side wall of the accommodation cavity and a second end inclined in a direction toward a center of the accommodation cavity; an outflow port disposed on the partition wherein an exhaust blade is mounted in the accommodation cavity.

Vertical flow guide plates are arranged on two sides of the outflow port on the partition.

A first end of the inflation flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an inflation port; a second end of the inflation flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an intake port; and the pump structure further comprises: an intake valve mounted on the intake port, and a one-way inflation valve mounted on the inflation port.

The intake valve comprises: an intake valve rod mounted at the intake port, and an intake valve cover connected to the intake valve rod, the intake valve cover hermetically sealing the intake port; an elastic body mounted between the intake valve rod and the pump body, a positioning strip disposed on the intake valve rod, and an avoidance groove formed in an edge of the intake port and connected to the positioning strip; the pump structure further comprises an inflation key switch disposed in the inflation flow channel, such that pressing the intake valve rod causes the intake valve cover to contact the inflation key switch.

The pump structure may further comprise: a waterproof cover connected to a groove formed around the intake port and to a groove formed around the discharge port.

An inflatable stand-up paddle board, comprising: a paddle board body comprising: an outer surface defining therein an air chamber, a mounting space extending through the air chamber in a thickness direction of the paddle board body, and an air inlet providing communication between the mounting space and the air chamber; and an air pump disposed in the mounting space and hermetically sealed to the paddle board body, the air pump comprising an air outlet that in fluid communication with the air chamber via the air inlet.

The outer surface comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral confining band extending in a circumferential direction of the paddle board body, the lateral confining band covering peripheral edges of each of the first surface and the second surface, such that the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral confining band, together, define the air chamber therein.

The paddle board body further comprises a connection sheet, comprising a first connection sheet and a second connection sheet, connected to the first surface and to the second surface, thereby defining the mounting space therein; the air pump comprises a pump housing; a first end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to a side face of the pump housing, and a second end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to an outer side of the first surface; and a first end of the second connection sheet is hermetically connected to a side face of a bottom of the pump housing, and a second end of the second connection sheet is hermetically sealed to an outer side of the second surface; and the first connection sheet is spaced apart from the second connection sheet thereby forming the air inlet therebetween.

The first end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to the side face of the pump housing at a height in a range of one-half to two-thirds of a total height of the air pump.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise: a first reinforcement member extending circumferentially around an opening of the mounting space, wherein: at least one of the first surface and the second surface is attached to the first reinforcement member, and the first reinforcement member covers at least a part of an upper surface of the pump housing and one of the first end of the first connection sheet and the first end of the second connection sheet, thereby hermetically sealing the air pump to the paddle board body.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise: a second reinforcement member covering the first reinforcement member and extending circumferentially around the opening of the mounting space, the second reinforcement member hermetically sealing the first surface to at least a part of the upper surface of the pump housing.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise: a third reinforcement member covering the first reinforcement member and hermetically sealing the second surface to the air pump.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise an isolating material sheet the isolating material sheet disposed in the air chamber and extending in the thickness direction of the paddle board body, the isolating material sheet being connected to an inner side of the first surface and an inner side of the second surface and extending in a loop within the air chamber, thereby dividing the air chamber into a first air chamber and a second air chamber within the first air chamber; and a bi-directional valve disposed in the isolating material sheet and enabling communication between the first air chamber and the second air chamber.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise an air valve enabling communication between the second air chamber and an exterior of the paddle board body.

The inflatable stand-up paddle board may further comprise: a fourth reinforcement member extending circumferentially around the paddle board body, wherein the fourth reinforcement member is attached to an outer surface of the lateral confining band, an upper side of the fourth reinforcement member is connected to the first surface, and a lower side of the fourth reinforcement member is connected to the second surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of example embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board in an inflated state according to an example embodiment of a first example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board in an inflated state without a protruding part according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a gap in a first surface in a deflated state according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a gap in a first surface in an inflated state according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a gap in a second surface in an inflated state according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable stand-up paddle board of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable stand-up paddle board of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to another example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up board;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to a further example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up board;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are schematic diagrams of example distributions of a single protruding part in an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up board;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are schematic diagrams of example distributions of a plurality of protruding parts in an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to an example embodiment of the first example inflatable stand-up board;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of a canoe provided with a gap in a deflated state and an overall perspective view according to an example embodiment of a first example process;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are perspective views of an arch bridge and sectional views of structures of different protruding parts according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to an example embodiment of a second example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a first reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are a perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a second reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a perspective view and a partial perspective view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a second reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein the second reinforcement member covers part of the surface of a stand-up paddle board body;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a perspective view and a partial perspective view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a second reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein two second reinforcement members are provided on both a first surface and a second surface;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are a perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a first reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein the first reinforcement member is a lateral reinforcement sheet;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are a perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a first reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein the first reinforcement member comprises an outer reinforcement sheet and a lateral reinforcement sheet;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are a perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a first reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein the first reinforcement member is a first inner reinforcement sheet;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are a perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, of an inflatable stand-up paddle board attached with a first reinforcement member according to example embodiment of the second example inflatable stand-up paddle board, wherein the first reinforcement member comprises a second inner reinforcement sheet and a lateral reinforcement sheet;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to an example embodiment of a third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are sectional views of an air pump and a mounting space region of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a single air chamber according to an example embodiment of the third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an overall structure of an air pump according to an example embodiment of a first example air pump;

FIG. 25 is a sectional diagram of an air pump according to an example embodiment of the first example air pump, particularly illustrating an inflation airflow channel of the air pump in an inflation state;

FIG. 26 is another sectional diagram of the air pump according to an example embodiment of the first example air pump, particularly illustrating a deflating airflow channel of the air pump in a deflation state;

FIG. 27 is a perspective sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a single air chamber according to an example embodiment of the third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 28 is a perspective sectional view of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with double air chambers according to an example embodiment of the third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 29 illustrates a sectional view of an air pump region of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with double air chambers according to an example embodiment of the third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIGS. 30A and 30B are perspective views of an inflatable stand-up paddle board with a transparent viewing window according to an example embodiment of the third example inflatable stand-up paddle board;

FIG. 31 is a schematic structural diagram of a mounting state of an example embodiment of an air pump according to a second example air pump;

FIG. 32 is a schematic structural diagram of a pump body according to a second example air pump;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the pump body according to a second example air pump;

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure according to a second example air pump;

FIG. 35 is a schematic structural diagram of an inflation assembly according to a second example air pump;

FIG. 36 is a schematic structural diagram of an example embodiment of a third example air pump;

FIG. 37 is a schematic structural diagram of a use state of an example embodiment of the third example air pump;

FIG. 38 is a cutaway view of an example embodiment of the third example air pump;

FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of an example embodiment of the third example air pump;

FIG. 40 is a cutaway view of an exhaust flow channel of an example embodiment of the third example air pump; and

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of the exhaust flow channel of an example embodiment of the third example air pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to example embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the example embodiments may have different forms and may not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

It will be understood that the terms “include,” “including”, “comprise, and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be further understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections may not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Various terms are used to refer to particular system components. Different companies may refer to a component by different names—this document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

Matters of these example embodiments that are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which these example embodiments pertain may be omitted.

In the description of the example embodiments, it should be noted that orientations or position relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner” and “outer” are based on orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations or positional relationships in which an apparatus or element is customarily placed in use, These orientations and terms are only for convenience of description, rather than indicating or implying that apparatuses or elements referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in the specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting.

In the description of the example embodiments, it should also be noted that the terms “setup”, “connected”, and “connection” should be understood in a broad sense, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited. For example, a connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or integrated connection; may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; and may be a direct connection, an indirect connection by means of an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the terms mentioned above in the example embodiments should be understood in specific situations.

First Example Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP)

According to a first example embodiment, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an SUP 1, comprising: a SUP body 10 and a protruding part 20. The stand-up paddle board body 10 extends in a longitudinal direction (as shown in an X-direction in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the body 10 comprises a first surface 11 and a second surface 12. In a thickness direction (as shown in a Y-direction in FIGS. 1 and 2), the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are arranged opposite each other, i.e. on two opposite sides of the body 10. As an example, the first surface 11 faces up in the thickness direction to carry a user, and the second surface 12 is used to contact a water surface.

The first surface 11 and the second surface 12 each extend in the longitudinal direction X, where the longitudinal direction X is a lengthwise direction of the stand-up paddle board body 10, and wherein the thickness direction Y is a thickness direction of the body 10, the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction being non-parallel. According to one or more example embodiments, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 2, the longitudinal direction X may be normal or substantially normal to the thickness direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, a drop-stitch fabric 101 is arranged between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, and a surface covering material of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is a laminated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) soft mesh material, but is not limited to this, and can also be any of various other materials containing fabric and a high strength.

The SUP 1 further comprises at least one protruding part 20. The protruding part 20 extends along the longitudinal direction X of the body 10, and the protruding part 20 protrudes from the second surface 12. When the SUP 1 moves in the water, the second surface 12 is used to contact a surface of the water, and the protruding part 20 protrudes from away from the second surface 12 in the thickness direction Y, and thus extends below the surface of the water. During the movement of the SUP 1, the protruding part 20 is disposed in the water and can facilitate control of a direction of the stand-up paddle board 1, enhance the handling performance of the SUP 1, improve the water breaking ability of the SUP, and serve to divide the water.

The SUP body 10 further comprises a lateral confining band 13, the lateral confining band 13 extending along a circumferential direction (shown as a B-direction in FIG. 1) of the body 10 and covering a peripheral edge of the first surface 11 and a peripheral edge of the second surface 12. As an example, the lateral confining band 13 may be sealed to the outer circumferences of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, for example, by means of high-frequency ironing to achieve a seal. The first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the lateral confining band 13 jointly define a SUP air chamber 14 of the stand-up paddle board body 10. As an example, referring to FIG. 2, the SUP air chamber 14 may contain therein the drop-stitch fabric 101 arranged between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The drop-stitch fabric 101 may facilitate maintaining the stability of the air chamber 14 after inflation, and the drop-stitch fabric being provided in the air chamber may improve the structural strength of the inflatable SUP to resist bending of the inflatable SUP during use. In addition, one or more sealing layers may also be arranged outside the drop-stitch fabric 101 to prevent gas spillage from the air chamber 14 and improve the safety performance of the SUP 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first surface 11 comprises a first part 110a and a second part 120a opposite the first part 110a, the first part 110a and the second part 120a being separated by a gap 111 extending in the longitudinal direction X. The SUP 1 further comprises a connecting sheet 30a. As an example, the connecting sheet 30a may be a laminated PVC soft mesh material extending in the longitudinal direction X and having a width of about 1 cm to 8 cm. The connecting sheet 30a connects edges of the first part 110a and the second part 120a in a transverse direction (shown the a Z-direction in FIG. 1) to close the gap 111, such that the first part 110a and the second part 120a of the first surface 11 are sealed by the connecting sheet 30a, that is, the edges of the first part 110a and the second part 120a abut against each other and are then connected by the connecting sheet, so that the connecting sheet 30 and the first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the lateral confining band 13 jointly enclose the SUP air chamber 14. The body 10 is configured when the air chamber 14 is in an inflated state, and the second surface 12 defines a protruding part 20 protruding outward.

Referring to FIG. 4, the protruding part 20 and the gap 111 are symmetrically arranged on two opposite sides of the body 10—the protruding part 20 is provided at a projection position on the second surface 12 at a position corresponding to a position at which the gap 111 is provided on the first surface 11. The protruding part 20 and the second surface 12 may be integrally formed. The transverse direction Z is a widthwise direction of the body 10, and the transverse direction Z intersects with the longitudinal direction X and the thickness direction Y. As an example, referring to FIG. 4, the transverse direction Z, the longitudinal direction X, and the thickness direction Y may all be normal to each other.

An example preparation process may comprise: cutting out the gap 111 on the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the first surface 11, according to a shape of the protruding part that is to be formed. The laminated PVC soft mesh material with the width of about 1 cm to 8 cm is used to connect the edges of the gap 111 together such that the edges are sealed. An outer circumference of the drop-stitch fabric 101 is sealed with the laminated PVC soft mesh material of about 5 cm to 16 cm by heat sealing or adhesive sealing so as to form the SUP air chamber 14. Since the edges of the first part 110a and the second part 120a at the gap 111 in the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the first surface 11 abut against each other and are connected by the connecting sheet 30a, the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12 protrudes outward to form the protruding part 20 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6A when the inflatable SUP is in the inflated state, and the protruding part 20 is integrally formed with the side outer surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12.

According to example aspects of the first example embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5, the second surface 12 may comprise a first part 110b and a second part 120b opposite the first part 110b, the first part 110b and the second part 120b being separated by a gap 111 extending in the longitudinal direction X. The SUP 1 further comprises a connecting sheet 30b. As an example, the connecting sheet 30b is a laminated PVC soft mesh material extending in the longitudinal direction X and having a width of about 1 cm to 8 cm. The connecting sheet 30b connects edges of the first part 110b and the second part 120b to cover the gap 111 in the transverse direction Z, so as to be sealed with two sides of the gap 111, forming an outer surface of the protruding part 20, and the SUP body 10 is configured when the SUP air chamber 14 is in the inflated state, the connecting sheet 30 protrudes outward to form the protruding part 20. The first surface 11, the outer surface of the protruding part 20 (i.e. the connecting sheet 30), the second surface 12, and the lateral confining band 13 enclose the SUP air chamber 14. As an example, referring to FIG. 5, the gap 111 and the protruding part 20 are located in a middle of the second surface 12 in the transverse direction Z, and extend in the longitudinal direction X.

An example preparation process may further comprise: punching the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101, close to the second surface 12, into irregular strips according to a required angular shape, thus, forming the gap 111. Then the laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e. the connecting sheet 30b) having the width of about 1 cm to 8 cm is used to connect edges of the first part 110b and the second part 120b corresponding to the gap 111 of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12 together in sequence according to the positioning, such that the edges are sealed. It should be noted that, the connecting sheet 30b is sealed with the edges of the first part 110b and the second part 120b corresponding to the gap 111 in the transverse direction Z, which is equivalent to a fixed-width connecting sheet 30b being attached to the middle of the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12, so that a width of the side of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12 is greater than a width of the side of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the first surface 11.

After the connecting sheet 30a and the first surface 11, the second surface 12, and the lateral confining band 13 jointly form the body 10, the protruding part 20 as shown in FIG. 6B is formed in the position corresponding to an additional connecting sheet 30b on the side surface of the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12 when the inflatable SUP is in the inflated state, i.e. the connecting sheet 30b serving as the outer surface of the protruding part 20.

As shown in FIG. 5 and in combination with FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the body 10 may further comprise first reinforcement members 102a, 102b are connected to the edges of the first parts 110a, 110b and second parts 120a, 120b in the transverse direction Z and are attached to outer sides of the connecting sheets 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction X.

As an example, referring to FIG. 6A, the connecting sheet 30a is located on the outer side of the drop-stitch fabric 101, and two side edges of the gap 111 in the transverse direction Z are sealed. The edges of the first part 110a and the second part 120a are sealed by the connecting sheet 30a. At least one layer of first reinforcement member 102a is attached to the outer side of the connecting sheet 30a, i.e. the side away from the first surface 11, and the at least one layer of first reinforcement member 102a has a thickness of about 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and a width of 3 cm to 20 cm, and is attached to the outer side of the connecting sheet 30b by heat sealing or adhesive sealing.

As an example, referring to FIG. 6B, the gap 111 is located on the side close to the second surface 12, the connecting sheet 30b connects two side edges of the corresponding gap 111 along the two side edges of the transverse direction Z, i.e. the edges of the first part 110b and the second part 120b. At least one layer of first reinforcement member 102b is attached to the outer side of the connecting sheet 30b, i.e. the side away from the second surface 12, and the at least one layer of first reinforcement member 102b has a thickness of about 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and a width of 3 cm to 20 cm, and is attached to the outer side of the connecting sheet 30b by heat sealing or adhesive sealing.

When the SUP body 10 is in the inflated state, the body 10 may extend in the transverse direction in a V-shape. As an example, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the protruding part 20 serves as a central axis of the body 10, and the body 10 on both sides of the protruding part 20 is angled upward in the thickness direction Y relative to the protruding part 20. Thus, the body 10 is angled upward along two sides of the transverse direction Z, so as to form a V-shaped structure in which the first surface 11 of the body 10 is recessed inward in the thickness direction Y, and the second surface 12 protrudes outward in the thickness direction Y. This structure is configured such that when the second surface 12 comes into contact with a surface of the water, the protruding part 20 aids in water breaking and direction control.

According to an aspect of the first example embodiment, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the protruding part 20 may be comprise the connecting sheet 30b. As an example, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connecting sheet 30b extends in the longitudinal direction X, and comprises a middle part 31 and two edge parts 32. The connecting sheet 30b is provided outside the drop-stitch fabric 101 close to the second surface 12, the two edge parts 32 of the connecting sheet 30b are sealed with the second surface 12, and the middle part 31 and the second surface 12 jointly define a first auxiliary air chamber 15. The first auxiliary air chamber 15 is in fluid communication with the air chamber 14 and is formed when the SUP body 10 is in the inflated state, the first auxiliary air chamber 15 defining the protruding part 20.

An example preparation process may include cutting out a piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e. the connecting sheet 30) having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm, and attaching the connecting sheet 30 to the second surface 12 of the body 10 by adhesive sealing or heat sealing. The connecting sheet 30 is sealed with the second surface 12, enclosing the first auxiliary air chamber 15, which is inflated to form the protruding part 20.

Referring to FIG. 8, the protruding part 20 may be a second auxiliary air chamber 16 independent of the air chamber 14 and may be provided on the second surface 12. The second auxiliary air chamber 16 may be protruding when in the inflated state, and thus, the second auxiliary air chamber 16 defines protruding part 20. As an example, referring to FIG. 8A, the second auxiliary air chamber 16 extends in the longitudinal direction X. Referring to FIG. 8B, part of a side wall of the second auxiliary air chamber 16 is attached to the outside of the second surface 12.

A preparation process may include cutting out a piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e. the connecting sheet 30) having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm, and sealing the connecting sheet to form the second auxiliary air chamber 16 by heat sealing or adhesive sealing. The second auxiliary air chamber 16 may then be provided on the second surface 12 by heat sealing or adhesive sealing.

Referring to FIG. 7, the body 10 may further comprise at least one second reinforcement member 103. The second reinforcement member 103 is attached to an inner side of the connecting sheet 30 in the longitudinal direction X, and is V-shaped in FIG. 7. Thus, the second reinforcement member 103 is sealed to part of the middle part 31 of the connecting sheet 30 and to the outside of the second surface 12 to be arranged between the connecting sheet 30 and the second surface 12 in the transverse direction Z. There may be a single second reinforcement member 103 along one edge of the first auxiliary air chamber 15, or there may be a pair of second reinforcement members 103, each extending in longitudinal direction X, on opposite interior sides of the first auxiliary air chamber 15 in the transverse direction Z, as shown in FIG. 7B.

As an example, referring to FIG. 7B, the two second reinforcement members 103 are provided, and the V-shaped second reinforcement members 103 are arranged between the connecting sheet 30 and the second surface 12, which can not only improve the sealing performance of the protruding part 20 formed by the connecting sheet 30 and the second surface 12, but can also improve the service life of the protruding part 20, and enhance the strength of an inner seam of the connecting sheet 30 and the second surface 12.

It should be noted that, the reinforcement members of example embodiments are not limited to the above-described structure, referring to FIG. 7B and FIG. 8B. It is also possible that at least one layer of laminated PVC soft mesh material having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and a width of 7 cm to 20 cm is provided above a sealing layer at an outer perimeter of the air chamber 14 of the SUP 1, the width being 3 cm to 6 cm more than the sealing layer; and the reinforcement member covering all side faces of the SUP 1 by heat sealing or adhesive sealing, respectively forming a reinforcement layer on an outer side wall of the air chamber of the SUP 1, and can have a structure that improves the wear resistance of the SUP 1 and prolongs the service life.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the body 10 may further comprise a second reinforcement member 103, different from that described with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B. The second reinforcement member 103 of FIGS. 8A and 8B is attached to an outer side of the protruding part 20, extends in the longitudinal direction X, and is additionally connected to a side wall of the protruding part 20 and the second surface 12 in the transverse direction Z.

As an example, referring to FIG. 8B, two second reinforcement members 103 are provided, the connecting sheet 30 forms the second auxiliary air chamber 16 by heat sealing or adhesive sealing, and the second auxiliary air chamber 16 forms the protruding part 20 after inflation, that is, the protruding part 20 is formed by the connecting sheet 30 by heat sealing or adhesive sealing. A circumferential side wall of the protruding part 20 is fitted to an outward side of the second surface 12, the second reinforcement member 103 extends in the longitudinal direction X, the second reinforcement member 103 is arranged between the outer circumferential side wall of the protruding part 20 and the second surface 12, and two end parts of the second reinforcement member are respectively connected to the outer circumferential wall of the protruding part 20 and the second surface 12, so that the connection strength of the protruding part 20 and the second surface 12 is improved, and the protruding part 20 can be more firmly attached to the second surface 12.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, a gap 111 is formed along a longitudinal central axis of the first surface of the body 10, and a corresponding protruding part is formed on the second surface 12 in a location corresponding to the location of the gap 111. The protruding part 20 extends in the longitudinal central axis of the second surface 12, and is integrally formed therewith. Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the body 10 is provided with two gaps 111, and two corresponding protruding parts formed on the second surface 12. The two protruding parts 20 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the second surface 12. It should be noted that, the number of the protruding parts 20 is not limited, and when at least two protruding parts 20 are provided, the at least two protruding parts 20 may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the second surface 12.

As an example, the protruding part 20 extends in the longitudinal direction X, and referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A, the length of the protruding part 20 extends from a head of the body 10 to a tail of the body 10. Referring to the alternative arrangement of FIG. 9B and FIG. 10B, one end of the protruding part 20 extends to the head of the body 10, and the other end thereof is located in the middle of the body 10. Referring to the alternative arrangement of FIG. 9C and FIG. 10C, one end of the protruding part 20 is located in the middle of the body, and the other end thereof extends to the tail of the body 10. It should be noted that, the protruding part 20 of example embodiments is not limited to the above structure, the protruding part 20 may be located in any position of the body 10, the protruding part 20 may also be in any number, and the structure of the protruding part 20 that is capable of dividing water and controlling the direction may be provided.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, the SUP 1 mentioned above may further comprise an air valve hole 40. As an example, the air valve hole 40 extends in the thickness direction Y-direction, and the air valve hole 40 is used to accommodate an air valve therein (not shown in the figures), so that the air valve is sealed to the body 10.

Specifically, an air valve hole 40 with a bore diameter of 3 cm to 5 cm may be dug from an upper layer of the drop-stitch fabric 101 of the SUP 1, that is, a side close to the first surface 11; one or more sealing layers may be respectively arranged on the drop-stitch fabric 101, the bore diameter of each sealing layer at the position where the air valve hole 40 is formed may be consistent with the bore diameter dug in the drop-stitch fabric 101, and the stacking deviation is 0 to 3 mm; and the sealing layer, the reinforcement layer and the air valve hole may be stacked together in concentric circles by heat sealing or adhesive sealing to form the sealing of the air valve.

An example preparation process for a SUP 1 may include pasting a foamed non-slip mat with a soft hardness of 35 Pa to 60 Pa above the first surface 11 of the body 10, thereby increasing a friction under user's feet, and being also softer and more comfortable. Two or more stainless steel D-rings may be provided in a middle area of the first surface 11 of the SUP body 10 to fix a seat, providing the user with a seat fixation device for rest. Four or more elastic rope connectors may be provided at a front end of the first surface 11 of the SUP body 10, and form a storage area with an elastic rope, which is convenient for the user to place items. Two handles may be provided in the middle and the tail of the SUP body 10, allowing the user to carry and transport easily.

According to one or more example embodiments, a protruding part 20 protruding to the water surface is formed on the second surface 12 of the SUP 1 that is in contact with the water surface to improve the ability of the SUP 1 to divide water and control the direction. The protruding part 20 is formed on the second surface 12 mainly by means of fitting the two side edges of the gap 111, i.e. the edges of the first part 110 and the second part 120, with the connecting sheet 30 after the gap 111 is formed on the first surface 11; by means of connecting the two side edges of the gap 111, i.e. the edges of the first part 110 and the second part 120, with the connecting sheet 30 after the gap 111 is formed on the second surface 12; and by attaching the connecting sheet 30 on the second surface 12 to form the first auxiliary air chamber 15, or arranging on the second surface 12 the second auxiliary air chamber 16 independently of the air chamber 14, so that the protruding part acts as a keel during the movement of the SUP 1 in the water.

Referring to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, an example preparation process for a water dividing device of a canoe 2 is described. Upper and lower pieces of the drop-stitch fabric 101 are cut out, a gap 111 in a set shape is formed, the upper piece of the drop-stitch fabric 101, i.e. the edges of the gap 111 on the side close to the first surface 11, is connected by a laminated PVC soft mesh fabric having a width of 1 cm to 5 cm according to positioning points, and then the lower piece of the drop-stitch fabric 101, i.e. the edges of the gap 111 on the side close to the second surface 12, is connected by a laminated PVC soft mesh fabric having a width of 1 cm to 5 cm according to positioning points. Then an outer edge of the entire drop-stitch fabric 101 is sealed with the laminated PVC soft mesh material in 5 cm to 16 cm by heat sealing or adhesive sealing (i.e. the lateral confining band 13), that is, the first surface 11, the second surface 12 and the lateral confining band 13 form the SUP air chamber 14. After inflation, the outer side of the connecting sheet 30 is partially or completely covered by the laminated PVC soft mesh material having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm, the width being 3 cm to 6 cm more than the connecting sheet 30.

As an example, referring to FIG. 6, since the body 10 takes the extension direction of the protruding part 20 as the central axis, the body 10 on both sides of the protruding part 20 can be moved upward in the thickness direction Y relative to the protruding part 20, so as to form a V-shaped structure. Therefore, referring to FIG. 12, an arch structure, serving as an arch bridge 3, may also be formed. As an example, referring to FIG. 12B, the second surface 12 is provided with two gaps 111, and the rims of the gaps 111 are fitted by the two connecting sheets 30, so that two protruding parts 20 are formed on the first surface 11. Referring to FIG. 12C, the first surface 11 is provided with two gaps 111, and the rims of the gaps 111 are connected by the two connecting sheets 30, so that two protruding parts 20 are formed on the first surface 11. It should be noted that, the arch bridge 3 is not limited to the above-described structure, and a single or a plurality of protruding parts 20 may be used to form the structure of the arch bridge 3.

Second Example SUP

According to a first example embodiment, FIG. 13 illustrates an inflatable SUP, comprising: an SUP body 10. Referring to FIG. 14, the body 10 comprises a first surface 11 and a second surface 12, as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The body 10 also includes a drop-stitch cloth 101.

Referring to FIG. 14, the body 10 further comprises a lateral confining band 13 as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the inflatable SUP further comprises a first reinforcement member 50. The first reinforcement member 50 extends in the circumferential direction (as shown in the B-direction in FIG. 1), and is attached to the lateral confining band 13. For example, the first reinforcement member 50 is connected to the lateral confining band 13 by high-frequency welding or adhesive bonding or hot melting. The first reinforcement member 50 can effectively solve the problems of cracking and air leakage when the inflatable SUP collides with a sharp object in water or encounters the sharp object, and improve the safety performance of the inflatable SUP. When the inflatable SUP is folded into a small volume to carry, the first reinforcement member 50 can effectively decrease the crease of the inflatable SUP, improve the service life, reduce the weight of the inflatable SUP, and lower the production cost.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the inflatable SUP further comprises a second reinforcement member 60. The second reinforcement member 60 is provided at least on one of the first surface and the second surface. As an example, the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are respectively attached with the second reinforcement member 60. In a high-pressure inflation environment, the second reinforcement member 60 can effectively reduce the arch elongation deformation of a drop-stitch material 101 and improve the deformation ability of the inflatable SUP during use.

In some possible embodiments, the second reinforcement member 60 extends along a longitudinal direction X of the first surface 11 or the second surface 12. As an example, referring to FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B, when one second reinforcement member 60 is attached to the first surface 11, the second reinforcement member 60 is provided along a longitudinal central axis of the first surface 11. As an example, one second reinforcement member 60 is attached to an outer side of the first surface 11 in FIG. 15A away from the air chamber 14, the size of the second reinforcement member 60 completely covers the first surface 11, and the size of the second reinforcement member 60 in FIG. 16A covers part of the first surface 11. The second reinforcement member 60 in FIG. 16A is provided in a central axis of the body 10. After the inflatable SUP is inflated, the second reinforcement member 60 is attached to the surface of the body 10 in the central axis, which can prevent the inconsistency in the degree of protrusion on left and right side surfaces of the body 10, and facilitate maintaining the balance.

In some possible embodiments, referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, when at least two second reinforcement members 60 are attached to the first surface 11, the at least two second reinforcement members 60 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the first surface 11 in the transverse direction Z. As an example, two second reinforcement members 60 are attached to the outer side of the first surface 11 in FIG. 17A away from the SUP air chamber 14, the size of the second reinforcement member 60 covers part of the first surface 11, and a left and a right second reinforcement member 60 on the outer side of the first surface 11 are symmetrically arranged relative to the central axis of the first surface 11 in the transverse direction Z. The transverse direction (as shown in the Z-direction in FIGS. 17A and 17B) is a widthwise direction of the body 10. As an example, the transverse direction Z is normal to the first direction Y.

Referring to FIG. 15B, FIG. 16B and FIG. 17B, the second reinforcement member 60 may comprise a first surface reinforcement member 61 and a second surface reinforcement member 62, the first surface reinforcement member 61 being attached to the first surface 11, and the second surface reinforcement member 62 being attached to the second surface 12. In the first direction Y, the second surface reinforcement member 62 is attached to a projection position of the first surface reinforcement member 61 on the second surface 12. The first/second reinforcement member(s) can be connected to the first/second surface(s), respectively by a connection method of, for example, high-frequency welding, or adhesive bonding, or hot melting.

As an example, in the first direction Y, the first surface reinforcement member 61 and the second surface reinforcement member 62 are symmetrically arranged on two opposite sides of the body 10, and a stacking deviation of the first surface reinforcement member 61 and the second surface reinforcement member 62 is 0 to 10 cm. If the stacking deviation is reduced, after the second reinforcement member 60 is attached to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the inflatable SUP, it will not cause an outer surface of the body 10 to protrude under the extrusion of high-pressure gas due to the uneven distribution of the two surface reinforcement members, which affects the using performance of the inflatable SUP, and reduces the safety of the inflatable SUP.

An example a preparation process may include a front side (i.e. the first surface 11) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 being covered with one or more pieces of laminated PVC soft mesh cloth having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm by adhesive bonding or heat sealing, the distance deviation between a center line of the laminated PVC soft mesh cloth and the central axis of the body 10 being 0 to 5 cm, and the first surface reinforcement member 61 being formed. In the case of multiple pieces of laminated PVC soft mesh cloth, they are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the drop-stitch material 101 (i.e. the central axis of the body 10), the symmetry deviation ranging from 0 to 10 cm. A back side (i.e. the second surface 12) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 is covered with one or more pieces of laminated PVC soft mesh cloth having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm by adhesive bonding or heat sealing, the distance deviation between the center line of the laminated PVC soft mesh cloth and the central axis of the body 10 is 0 to 5 cm, the second surface reinforcement member 62 is formed, and the projection deviation of the second surface reinforcement member 62 and the first surface reinforcement member 61 ranges from 0 to 10 cm. An outer arc edge of the entire drop-stitch cloth 101 may be sealed with a laminated PVC soft mesh material having a width of 4 cm to 16 cm and a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm by heat sealing or adhesive bonding, that is, the lateral confining band 13, and finally the sealed SUP air chamber 14 is formed.

It should be noted that, the first reinforcement member 50 is not limited to the above structure, and any structure of a reinforcement sheet that can be attached to the outer surface of the body 10 may be used.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIG. 14A, the first reinforcement member 50 comprises an outer reinforcement sheet 51, the outer reinforcement sheet 51 extending in the circumferential direction (as shown in the B-direction in FIGS. 14A and 14B) and being attached to the outer surface of the lateral confining band 13 away from the air chamber 14. Referring to FIG. 14B, in the first direction Y, a first end 311 and a second end 312 of the outer reinforcement sheet 51 are respectively connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12.

An example preparation process includes the outer arc edge of the drop-stitch cloth 101 of the SUP using one piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material as the sealing layer (i.e. the lateral confining band 13) by adhesive bonding or heat sealing, then the lateral confining band 13 using one layer of laminated PVC soft mesh material as a reinforcement layer (i.e. the outer reinforcement sheet 51) by heat sealing or welding or adhesive bonding, the outer reinforcement sheet 51 covering the outer surface of the lateral confining band 13 away from the SUP air chamber 14, and the width of the outer reinforcement sheet 51 being 0.5 cm to 3 cm more than that of the lateral confining band 13.

As an example, an upper sheet and a lower sheet (i.e. the first surface 11 and the second surface 12) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 of the SUP are fixed together by sewing or hot melt hitting points, some of warping points on a bottom sheet extending out are equally distributed and then perform point alignment with a top sheet by sewing or hot melt hitting points, the laminated PVC soft mesh material having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm is sealed with the upper and lower sheets (i.e. the first surface 11 and the second surface 12) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 by high-frequency welding, an air valve is plugged into an air valve hole 40, and the lateral confining band 13 is finished with an adhesive seal.

In some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 18A, the first reinforcement member 50 comprises a lateral reinforcement sheet 52, the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 extending in the circumferential direction (as shown in the B-direction in FIGS. 18A and 18B) and being connected to the outer surface of the lateral confining band 13 away from the air chamber 14. Referring to FIG. 18B, two lateral reinforcement sheets 52 are provided. In the first direction Y, one side of the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 is connected to the outer surface on an adjacent side of the lateral confining band 13, i.e. the first surface 11, and the other side thereof is connected to the outer surface on an adjacent side of the SUP body 10, i.e. the second surface 12. It should be noted that, in some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 19A, the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 may also extend in the circumferential direction and may be indirectly connected to the outer surface of the outer reinforcement sheet 51 on the outer side of the lateral confining band 13.

As an example, in the first direction Y, a lower inner surface of an upper lateral reinforcement sheet 52 is connected to an upper outer surface of the lateral confining band 13, and an upper inner surface is connected to the outer surface of the first surface 11. An upper inner surface of a lower lateral reinforcement sheet 52 is connected to a lower outer surface of the lateral confining band, and the lower inner surface is connected to the outer surface of the second surface 12.

An example preparation process includes the outer arc edge of the drop-stitch cloth 101 of the SUP using one piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material as the sealing layer (i.e. the lateral confining band 13) by adhesive bonding or heat sealing, and a lateral reinforcement sheet 52 being provided at the edge of the lateral confining band 13 by adhesive bonding or heat sealing.

In some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 19A, the first reinforcement member 50 comprises the outer reinforcement sheet 51 and the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 extending in the circumferential direction (as shown in the B-direction in FIG. 19). Referring to FIG. 19B, as an example, the outer reinforcement sheet 51 is attached to the outer surface of the lateral confining band 13, and in the first direction Y, and the upper side and the lower side of the outer reinforcement sheet 51 are respectively connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. Two lateral reinforcement sheets 52 extend in the circumferential direction and are attached to the outer surface of the outer reinforcement sheet 51, one of the lateral reinforcement sheets 52 being connected to the first surface 11, and the other lateral reinforcement sheet 52 being connected to the second surface 12.

An example preparation process includes the outer arc edge of the drop-stitch cloth 101 of the SUP using one piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material as the sealing layer (i.e. the lateral confining band 13) by adhesive bonding or heat sealing. A lateral reinforcement sheet 52 is provided at the edge of the reinforcement layer (i.e. the outer reinforcement sheet 51) by adhesive bonding or heat sealing, then the outer reinforcement sheet 51 with the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 is provided on the lateral confining band 13 by adhesive bonding, and the width of the outer reinforcement sheet 51 is 0.5 cm to 3 cm more than that of the lateral confining band 13.

In some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 20A, the first reinforcement member 50 comprises a first inner reinforcement sheet 53, the first inner reinforcement sheet 53 extending in the circumferential direction and being attached to the inner surface of the lateral confining band 13 close to the air chamber 14. Referring to FIG. 20B, in the first direction Y, the first inner reinforcement sheet 53 is provided in the central axis of the lateral confining band 13. As an example, the first inner reinforcement sheet 53 is provided on an inner side of the lateral confining band 13, and is in direct contact with air in the air chamber 14. The first inner reinforcement sheet 53 being attached in the lateral confining band 13 can improve the ability of the body 10 to contain high-pressure gas without deformation, and prolong the service life of the inflatable SUP.

An example preparation process includes a laminated mesh strip (i.e. the first inner reinforcement sheet 53) in 2 cm to 15 cm being provided on a laminated mesh of the lateral confining band 13 along the central axis of the lateral confining band 13 by hot stamping, then the lateral confining band 13 being sealed with the upper and lower sheets (i.e. the first surface 11 and the second surface 12) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 by hot stamping, an air valve being plugged into an air valve hole 40, and the lateral confining band 13 being finished with an adhesive seal.

In some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 21A, the first reinforcement member 50 comprises the lateral reinforcement sheet 52 and a second inner reinforcement sheet 54 extending in the circumferential direction. Referring to FIG. 21B, as an example, the second inner reinforcement sheet 54 is attached to the inner surface of the lateral confining band 13. The lateral reinforcement sheet 52 comprises a first lateral reinforcement sheet and a second lateral reinforcement sheet, both of which extend in the circumferential direction and are attached to the outer surface of the lateral confining band 13, and in the first direction Y, the first lateral reinforcement sheet is connected to the first surface 11, and the second lateral reinforcement sheet is connected to the second surface 12.

An example preparation process includes a piece of laminated PVC soft mesh material serving as the sealing layer (i.e. the lateral confining band 13), a laminated mesh strip (i.e. the inner reinforcement sheet 53) in 2 cm to 15 cm being provided on a laminated mesh of the lateral confining band 13 along the central axis of the lateral confining band 13 by hot stamping, and a lateral reinforcement sheet 52 being provided at the edge of the lateral confining band 13 by adhesive bonding or heat sealing. Then the lateral confining band 13 with the inner reinforcement sheet 53 is sealed with the upper and lower sheets (i.e. the first surface 11 and the second surface 12) of the drop-stitch cloth 101 by hot stamping, an air valve is plugged into an air valve hole 40, and the lateral confining band 13 is finished with an adhesive seal.

In some example embodiments, referring to FIG. 13, the inflatable SUP mentioned above further comprises an air valve hole 40 and a non-slip mat 41. As an example, the air valve hole 40 extends in the first direction Y, and the air valve hole 40 is used to accommodate an air valve (not shown in the figures), so that the air valve is sealed with the SUP body 10. The non-slip mat 41 is provided on the first surface 11 in the longitudinal direction X, which can play a non-slip role, allowing the inflatable SUP to be easier to operate.

In an example embodiment, a laminated mesh material is attached to the outer surface of the SUP body 10 of the inflatable SUP, so as to improve the structural strength and deformation resistance and service life of the inflatable SUP. Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the following methods may be used: the second reinforcement members 60 are symmetrically arranged on the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 in the first direction Y relative to the body 10; and the first reinforcement members 50 are attached to the outer surface, the inner surface, and an upper rim and a lower rim of the lateral confining band 13. In the high-pressure inflation environment, the second reinforcement member 60 may reduce the arch elongation deformation of the drop-stitch material 101; when the inflatable SUP is folded into a small volume to carry, the second reinforcement member 60 and the first reinforcement member 50 may reduce the crease of the inflatable SUP; and at the same time, the first reinforcement member 50 and the second reinforcement member 60 located on the second surface 12, may solve the problems of cracking and air leakage when the inflatable SUP collides with a sharp object in water or encounters the sharp object. The service life of the inflatable SUP may be prolonged, the weight of the inflatable SUP may be reduced, the production cost may be lowered, and the safety performance of the inflatable SUP may be improved.

Third Example SUP

FIG. 22 illustrates an inflatable stand-up paddle board according to an example embodiment of a third example. With reference to FIG. 22, the SUP comprises: an SUP body 10 and an air pump 70. The body 10 comprises a stand-up paddle board air chamber 14 and a mounting space 80. Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting space 80 extends in a thickness direction Y of the body 10. As an example, the mounting space 80 runs through two surfaces of the body 10, forming two circular through hole in both surfaces. The air chamber 14 comprises an air inlet 211. The air inlet 211 communicates with the mounting space 80. As an example, with continued reference to FIG. 23, the air inlet 211 extends in the direction X, the mounting space 80 extends in the thickness direction Y, the air inlet 211 corresponds to an annular opening in a side wall of the mounting space 80, and the air inlet 211 communicates with the interior of the mounting space 80.

With continued reference to FIG. 22 and in conjunction with FIG. 23, the air pump 70 is provided within the side wall of the mounting space 80 and is hermetically connected to the body 10. The air pump 70 comprises an air outlet 221. The air outlet 221 is in fluid communication with the SUP air chamber 14 via the air inlet 211. Referring to FIG. 23A (an exhaust hole of the air pump is not shown), a position of the air outlet 221 corresponds to a position of the air inlet 211, such that when the air pump 70 inflates the air chamber 14, an airflow may enter the air chamber 14 directly from the air outlet 221 of the air pump 70 through the air inlet 211 by a shortest distance. As an example, referring to FIG. 23A, the air outlet 221 is located in a side wall of a pump housing 322 of the air pump 70, and the air outlet 221 extends in the direction X, with a portion of the air outlet 221 extending into the SUP air chamber 14. The air outlet 221 communicates with the air inlet 211, such that the air pump 70 is able to charge air directly through the air outlet 221 of the air pump 70 into the air inlet 211 after being powered on.

With reference to FIG. 27, the body 10 further comprises a first surface 11 and a second surface 12. The first surface 13 and the second surface 12 each extend in the lengthwise direction X. As an example, the lengthwise direction X is normal to the thickness direction Y. In the thickness direction Y, the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are located on opposite sides of the body 10. As an example, the first surface 11 faces upwardly to carry a user and the second surface 12 is used for contact with the water surface.

As an example, referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, a drop stitch fabric 101 is provided between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, and the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are covered with a laminated PVC soft mesh material, but not limited to this, and may also be covered with other fabric-containing high-strength materials.

With continued reference to FIG. 22, the body 10 further comprises a lateral confining band 13, and the lateral confining band 13 extends in a circumferential direction (as shown in a direction B in FIG. 1) of the SUP body 10. As an example, the lateral confining band 13 is hermetically connected to rims of each of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, in the thickness direction Y of the body 10, for example, by high-frequency welding or gluing or hot melting. The lateral confining band 13 is used to cover the peripheral edges of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to form the air chamber 14.

As an example, referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the air chamber 14 is provided with the drop stitch fabric 101 between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The drop stitch fabric 101 is able to facilitate keeping the stability of the air chamber 14 during movement of the body 10 after inflation. In addition, one or more sealing layers are provided on the outer side of the drop stitch fabric 101 to prevent air from escaping from the air chamber 14, thereby improving the safety performance of the inflatable SUP.

Referring to FIGS. 22, 23A, and 23B, the body 10 further comprises a connection sheet that extends in a circumferential direction (as shown in direction C in FIG. 22) of the mounting space 80, and the connection sheet is connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to form the mounting space 80. That is, the connection sheet is annular. As an example, with reference to FIGS. 23A, the pump housing 322 and the outer surfaces of the body 10, i.e., the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, are connected by the connection sheet. Referring to FIG. 23B, the annular connection sheet forms the side wall of the mounting space 80 before the air pump 70 is mounted in the mounting space 80. The connection sheet comprises a first connection sheet 1021 and a second connection sheet 1022, and the air pump 70 comprises the pump housing 322 that extends in the thickness direction Y. As an example, the pump housing 322 of the air pump 70 is of a cylindrical structure, and the side face of the pump housing 322 of the air pump 70 is located inside the side wall of the mounting space 80.

According to an example embodiment, a first end 1121 of the first connection sheet 1021 is hermetically connected to a side face of the pump housing 322 at a set height (as shown by the height of h1 in FIG. 23A), and a second end 1221 is hermetically connected to the outer side of one end 121 of the mounting space 80, that is, the second end 1221 is hermetically connected to the first surface 11 near the mounting space 80. A first end 1222 of the second connection sheet 1022 is hermetically connected to a side face of the bottom of the pump housing 322, and a second end 1122 is hermetically connected to the outer side of another end 122 of the mounting space 80, that is, the second end 1122 is hermetically connected to the second surface 12 near the mounting space 80. The first connection sheet 1021 is spaced apart from the second connection sheet 1022 to form the air inlet 211.

With reference to FIG. 23A, the set height of the pump housing 322 (as shown by the height of h1 in FIG. 23A ranges from one-half to two-thirds of the height of the air pump (as shown by the height of h2 in FIG. 23A). The first end 1121 of the first connection sheet 1021 is attached to the side face of the pump housing 322 at the set height to facilitate the mounting of the air pump 70 during production. When the body 10 is not yet inflated, a spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is not increased by the compression of the air chamber 14. If the first end 1121 of the first connection sheet 1021 is attached at an excessive height, the process of connecting the first connection sheet 1021 to the first surface 11 in order to fix the air pump 70 in the mounting space 80 will be more complicated, which is not conducive to improving the operation efficiency.

An example preparation process includes forming a hole (i.e., the mounting space 80) in the upper and lower layers (i.e., the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the body 10) of the drop stitch fabric 101 of the inflatable SUP, with a size of the mounting space 80 differing from the specification of the air pump 70 by −1 cm to 4 cm; taking a 6 cm to 16 cm wide, 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm thick the laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e., the first connection sheet 1021), bonding one side of the first connection sheet around the pump housing 322 in a circle with a bonding width of 1 cm to 3 cm, bonding the other side of the first connection sheet 1021 to the hole (i.e., the mounting space 80) at the front side (i.e., the first surface 11) of the drop stitch fabric 101, so as to form a top seal; taking a 3 cm to 6 cm wide, 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm thick the laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e., the second connection sheet 1022), and attaching one side thereof to the edge of the hole at the bottom side (i.e., the second surface 12) of the drop stitch fabric 101 by heat bonding or gluing, with a connection width of 1 cm to 2 cm; and attaching the other side to the side face of the pump housing 322 by gluing or heat bonding to form a bottom seal of the air pump 70.

According to one or more example embodiments, with continued reference to FIGS. 22, 23A and 23B, the body 10 may further a first reinforcement member 230 that extends in the circumferential direction (as shown in a direction C in FIG. 22) of an opening of the mounting space 80. At least one of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is attached with the first reinforcement member 230, the first reinforcement member 230 covers the first end 1121 of the first connection sheet 1021 or the first end of the second connection sheet 1022 and at least part of an upper surface of the pump housing 322 to hermetically connect the body 10 to the air pump 70. As an example, the first reinforcement member 230 may have an annular structure that extends in a circumferential direction of the opening of the mounting space 80.

The first surface 11 and the second surface 12 each are attached with the first reinforcement member 230, and the first reinforcement member 230 is attached to the outer side of the connection sheet, that is, the first reinforcement member 230 is attached to each of the upper and lower ends of the air pump 70 in the thickness direction Y. The first reinforcement member 230 is hermetically connected to the SUP body 10 and the air pump 70 to enhance the sealing performance of the first connection sheet 1021 and the second connection sheet 1022 with the first surface 11 and the second surface 12.

An example preparation process includes inflating the body 10, connecting the pump housing 322 and the upper and lower surfaces (i.e., the first surface 11 and the second surface 12) of the drop stitch fabric 101 by means of an annular laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e., the first reinforcement member 230), and connecting the back in the same manner, wherein the width beyond the mounting space 80 is between 2 cm and 6 cm, so as to form a first reinforcement layer (i.e., the first reinforcement member 230).

According to one or more example embodiments, with continued reference to FIGS. 22, 23A, and 23B, the body 10 may further comprise a second reinforcement member 240 that extends in a circumferential direction C of the mounting space 80. The second reinforcement member 240 comprises a second through hole 241. A position of the second through hole 241 corresponds to a partition of a first through hole 231, and communicates with the first through hole 231. That is, the second through hole 241, the first through hole 231, and the mounting space 80 communicate with one another. As an example, the second reinforcement member 240 is an annular structure that extends in the circumferential direction of the mounting space 80, the second through hole 241 is provided on outside of the first through hole 231, and a bore diameter of the second through hole 241 is smaller than that of the first through hole 231.

The second reinforcement member 240 is provided on the first surface 11, and the second reinforcement member 240 is attached to the outer side of the first reinforcement member 230. That is, the second reinforcement member 240 is attached to a side of the first reinforcement member 230 away from the air pump 70 in the thickness direction Y. The second reinforcement member 240 is hermetically connected to the first surface 11 and the air pump 70 to enhance the sealing performance between the pump housing of the air pump 70 and the mounting space 80.

An example preparation process includes covering the first reinforcement layer (i.e., the first reinforcement member 230) with an annular layer of laminated mesh sheet (i.e., the second reinforcement member 40240 wherein the width beyond the mounting space 80 is between 2 cm and 10 cm, so as to form a second reinforcement layer (i.e., the second reinforcement member 240).

According to one or more example embodiments, with continued reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the body 10 may further comprise a third reinforcement member 90, the third reinforcement member 90 being provided on the second surface 12. As an example, the third reinforcement member 90 may be a circular structure with a diameter greater than the diameter of the mounting space 80. The third reinforcement member 90 is provided on the second surface 12. The third reinforcement member 90 is attached to the outer side of the first reinforcement member 230, that is, the third reinforcement member 90 is attached to a side of the first reinforcement member 230 away from the air pump 70 in the thickness direction Y. The third reinforcement member 90 is hermetically connected to the second surface 12 and the air pump 70 to enhance the sealing performance between the pump housing of the air pump 70 and the mounting space 80.

An example preparation process includes covering the first reinforcement layer (i.e., the first reinforcement member 230) with a layer of annular laminated mesh sheet (i.e., the third reinforcement member 90), wherein the width beyond the mounting space 80 is between 2 cm and 10 cm, so as to form a second reinforcement layer (i.e., the third reinforcement member 90).

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIG. 28, the SUP body 10 further comprises an isolating material sheet 116 that extends in the thickness direction Y of the body 10. The isolating material sheet 116 is provided in the air chamber 14, and the isolating material sheet 116 is hermetically connected to the inner side of the first surface 11 and the inner side of the second surface 12 to separate the air chamber 14 into a first air chamber 18 and a second air chamber 17. As an example, the isolating material sheet 116 is provided between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the body 10, one end of the upper side of the isolating material sheet 116 along the thickness direction is hermetically connected to a side of the first surface 11 facing the SUP air chamber 14, and the other end thereof is hermetically connected to a side of the second surface 12 facing the air chamber 14 so as to form the circular second air chamber 17. The first air chamber 18 surrounds an outside of the second air chamber 17.

According to one or more example embodiments, referring to FIG. 29, the isolating material sheet 116 comprises a bi-directional valve 161, and the bi-directional valve 161 enables the second air chamber 17 to communicate with the first air chamber 18, such that the first air chamber 18 and the second air chamber 17 within the body 10 may be isolated from each other, that is, when an air pressure in the first air chamber 18 is reduced, an air pressure in the second air chamber 17 may remain stable; and when inflating the first air chamber 18, there will also be an inflow of air into the second air chamber 17. The second air chamber 17 further comprises an air valve (not shown in the figure), which enables the second air chamber 17 to communicate with the external to achieve deflation or reinflation.

According to one or more example embodiments, with continued reference to FIG. 28, the body 10 may further comprise a fourth reinforcement member 130 that extends in the circumferential direction B. The fourth reinforcement member 130 is attached to the outer surface of a side of the lateral confining band 13 away from the air chamber 14. Referring to FIG. 29, the upper and lower sides of the fourth reinforcement member 130 are connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, respectively, in the thickness direction Y.

An example preparation process includes attaching a laminated PVC soft mesh material onto an outer curved edge of the drop stitch fabric 101 by gluing or heat bonding to serve as a sealing layer (i.e., the lateral confining band 13), and then attaching a layer of the laminated PVC soft mesh material to the lateral confining band 13 by gluing or heat bonding to serve as a reinforcement layer (i.e., the fourth reinforcement member 130), and covering the outer surface of one side of the lateral confining band 13 away from the SUP air chamber 14 with the fourth reinforcement member 130, wherein a width of the fourth reinforcement member 130 is 0.5 cm to 3 cm greater than a width of the lateral confining band 13.

As an example, with reference to FIG. 30A and in conjunction with FIGS. 23A and 23B, a through hole 201 is formed in the front of the drop stitch fabric 101 of an SUP 2, and aligning the threads of the drop stitch fabric 101 located between the top and bottom of the SUP (i.e., the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the body 10) by a manual operation, wherein a deviation of less than 2 cm is allowed for a size of the through hole 201 on the first surface 11 when aligning the threads located between the top and bottom of the SUP. A shortest distance between the edge of the through hole 201 and the curved edge of the body 10 may be 10 cm or more. It should be noted that the shape of the through hole 201 is not limited.

A laminated PVC soft mesh material having a width of 5 cm to 16 cm is end to end connected into a ring by gluing or heat bonding, and is connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 along the edge of the through hole 201 by heat bonding or gluing to form a sealing layer for the through hole 201 (i.e., a side wall 202 of through hole 201). The outer curved edge of the overall body 10 is sealed with a 5 cm to 16 cm of the laminated PVC soft mesh material (i.e., the lateral confining band 13) by a heat bonding or gluing process so as to form the SUP air chamber 14.

After inflation, a lower edge of the side wall 202 of the through hole 201 is covered with a laminated PVC soft mesh material having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and a width of 2 cm to 5 cm to form a reinforcement layer for a lower seam of the side wall 202, and an end-to-end joint of an annular seal sheet of the through hole 201 is reinforced by a reinforcement layer having a width of 2 cm to 6 cm by gluing or heat bonding. Referring to FIG. 30B, after inflation, an upper edge of the side wall 202 of the through hole is covered with a laminated PVC soft mesh material having a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and a width of 2 cm to 5 cm, and the hook side/the loop side of a hook and loop fasteners is sewn or heat-bonded on the laminated PVC soft mesh material to form a first fastener 203 for an upper seam on the side wall 202, and also for fixing a cover 204.

The bottom surface of the through hole 201 is covered with a transparent plastic sheet (i.e., a viewing window 205) by gluing, for example, a transparent PVC film, the size of the transparent plastic sheet is 2 to 5 cm wider than a tangent point between the side wall 202 of the through hole 201 and the second surface 12 after inflation. Then the soft PVC or the laminated PVC soft mesh material is glued to the edge of the viewing window 205 for reinforcement. The shape of the cover 204 conforms to the shape of the through hole 201, the back of the cover 204 is sewn with the loop side/the hook side of a hook and loop fasteners along the edge of the cover 204 to form a second fastener 206, which is used in conjunction with the hook and loop fastener (i.e., the first fastener 203) around the through hole 201.

With continued reference to FIG. 30A, a buckle 207 is provided on the back of the cover 204, and used to buckle the cover in place after the cover 204 is rolled up. As an example, an elastic cord 208 is fixed around the through hole 201. In use of the SUP 2 with a transparent viewing window, the fun of watching underwater can be increased while a function of storing items may be achieved, and the cover 204 may easily stop water from flowing into the viewing window 205.

According to one or more example embodiments, the mounting space 80 is formed on the SUP body 10 of the inflatable SUP and the air pump 70 is built in the SUP body 10 and hermetically connected to the SUP air chamber 14. This arrangement may simplify the structure of the built-in air pump 70 and reduce the production cost.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the pump housing 322 of an air pump 70 is hermetically connected to the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the body 10 by the connection sheet, and the air outlet 221 and the air inlet 211 of the air pump 70 correspond to each other in position such that the air outlet 221 and the air inlet 211 communicate with each other. Therefore, the connection structure of a built-in air pump of the SUP may be simplified, the production cost of the SUP may be reduced, the sealing performance of the SUP may be improved, and the SUP may have a simple structure and may be easy to operate.

First Example Air Pump

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, an air inlet port 321 is provided at an upper end of the pump housing 322 of the air pump 70, and an air inlet valve 2201 is mounted at a position corresponding to the air inlet port 321. The overall structure of the air inlet valve is not fully illustrated in FIG. 25, and its specific structure is similar to that of a deflation valve described below. The air inlet valve 2201 comprises a valve stem 2210, a valve cover 2211 and an elastic element 2212. The valve stem 2210 is mounted at the air inlet port 321 and the elastic element 2212 is mounted on the valve stem 2210. The valve cover 2211 is connected to the valve stem, and the valve cover 2211 may hermetically cover or open the air inlet. The air inlet port 321, the internal space of the pump housing 322, an inflation cylinder and the air outlet form an inflation airflow channel inside the air pump 70 for inflating the air chamber 14. Since the air inlet 211 communicates with the air chamber 14, the air pump 70 of this example embodiment is able to directly inflate the air chamber 14, thereby simplifying the connection structure of the built-in air pump 70 of the inflatable SUP, reducing the production cost of the inflatable SUP, improving its sealing performance, and making the inflatable SUP have a simple structure and easy to operate.

The air pump 70 comprises an inflation assembly. A circuit board 200 is mounted inside the pump housing of the air pump. A key switch 2001 for activating the inflation assembly is mounted on the circuit board 200, and a position of the key switch 2001 corresponds to the position of the valve stem 2210 of the air inlet valve 2201. The inflation assembly comprises an electric motor 325, an inflation cylinder 326, and a piston 327. The air outlet 221 is provided at one end of the inflation assembly; the piston 327 is fitted in the inflation cylinder 326; the piston 327 is provided with a suction hole 328 and provided with a one-way valve sheet 329 that may be used to cover the suction hole 328; and a drive mechanism for driving the piston 327 to reciprocate is connected between the piston 327 and the electric motor 325. The drive mechanism comprises a rotating shaft 330, a driving gear 331, a driven gear 332, a connecting plate 333, and a connecting rod 334. The rotating shaft 330 is rotationally mounted in the pump housing 322 of the air pump 70; both the driven gear 322 and the connecting plate 333 are mounted on the rotating shaft 330; and the driving gear 331 is mounted on an output shaft of the electric motor 325. The driving gear 331 and the driven gear 332 are in meshing transmission. The connecting rod 334 is connected to the piston 327. One end of the connecting rod 334 is provided with a connecting recess 335, and a connecting pin 336 is mounted on the connecting plate 333 and inserted in the connecting recess 335. The connecting pin 336 rotates with the connecting plate 333 to drive the connecting rod 334 and the piston 327 to reciprocate together. A partition 337 is provided at an end portion of the inflation cylinder, the partition 337 is connected to a one-way valve plate 338, and the partition 337 is provided with a plurality of through holes 339. The through holes 339 may be opened or covered by the one-way valve plate.

The air pump 70 is built in the inflatable SUP for use. When the air chamber 14 needs to be inflated, an inflation valve cover 223 is opened, a valve stem of the air inlet valve 2201 is pressed downward to drive the valve cover 223 to touch the key switch 2001 to activate the inflation assembly, such that the air chamber 14 may be inflated through the inflation airflow channel at a high inflation speed in a labor-saving and convenient way. After the inflation is completed, the valve stem of the air inlet valve 2201 is pressed again to restore to its original state and the key switch 2001 is disconnected to turn off the inflation assembly to seal the inflation airflow channel, and the inflation valve cover 223 is closed to seal the air inlet port 321.

The air pump 70 according to this example embodiment has a function of inflating the air chamber 14 of the inflatable SUP, and the air pump 70 may also help deflate the air chamber 14 of the inflatable SUP. Referring to the air pump 70 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the air pump 70 is provided with an air outlet port 222 at the upper end of the pump housing 322, and a deflation valve 2202 is mounted at a position corresponding to a position of the air outlet port 222. A bottom of the pump housing 322 of the air pump 70 is provided with an exhaust hole 224 which communicates with the air chamber 14. The exhaust hole 224, an exhaust pipe 24 and the air outlet port 222 form a deflation airflow channel in the air pump 70 for discharging air from inside the air chamber 14. The deflation valve 2202 comprises a valve stem 2210, a valve cover 2211 and an elastic element 2212. The valve stem 2210 is connected to the air outlet port 222; the valve cover 2211 is connected to one end of the valve stem 2210; the elastic element 2212 is mounted on the valve stem 2210, and the valve cover 2211 may hermetically cover or open the air outlet port 222. The elastic elements in the air inlet valve 2201 and the deflation valve 2202 are springs. When the air chamber 14 needs to be deflated, the valve cover 2211 of the deflation valve 2202 is opened and the valve stem 2210 is pressed to open the deflation air flow channel, and then air inside the air chamber 14 may be discharged outwardly through the deflation air flow channel, which is convenient to operate. The valve cover 2211 of the deflation valve 2202 is closed after the deflation is completed.

Second Example Air Pump

FIGS. 31-35 illustrate a second example air pump in an SUP. The air pump according to an example embodiment includes a pump body 402 built in the SUP 401, where an inflation assembly 403 is arranged in the pump body 402 and is provided with an inflation port 405 for inflating the SUP 401. An exhaust channel 406 for deflating the SUP 401 is mounted in the pump body 402. The pump body 402 is provided with an exhaust hole 407 in communication with the exhaust channel 406, and a deflation valve is mounted on the exhaust hole 407. An air chamber 404 is provided in the SUP 401, and the inflation port 405 is in communication with the air chamber 404. The exhaust channel 406 is in communication with the air chamber 404. An air passing cavity 408 is provided in the pump body 402, and the exhaust channel 406 and the inflation assembly 403 are both mounted in the air passing cavity 408.

A mounting sleeve 410 is arranged on the SUP 401; the pump body 402 is fit to the mounting sleeve 410; and the mounting sleeve 410 is provided with an air vent 411. The inflation port 405 is in communication with the air vent 411; the air vent 411 is in communication with the air chamber 404; and the exhaust channel 406 is in communication with the air chamber 404 by means of the air vent 411. An annular sealing gasket 412 is connected to each of an upper end and a lower end of the mounting sleeve 410; the annular sealing gasket 412 covers an end edge of the pump body 402; and the annular sealing gasket 412 is hermetically connected between the SUP 401 and an end surface of the pump body 402.

As shown in FIG. 33, the deflation valve includes a deflation valve rod 413, a deflation valve cover 414, and an elastomer 415, where the deflation valve rod 413 is connected to the exhaust hole 407. The deflation valve cover 414 is connected to one end of the deflation valve rod 413; the elastomer 415 is mounted between the other end of the deflation valve rod 413 and the pump body 402; and the deflation valve cover 414 hermetically covers the exhaust hole 407. The pump body 402 is provided with an air inlet 416 for supplying air to the inflation assembly 403; an air inlet valve rod 417 is connected to an air inlet; an elastic member 418 is mounted between one end of an air inlet valve rod and the pump body 402; the other end of the air inlet valve rod is connected to an air inlet valve cover 419; and the air inlet valve cover 419 hermetically covers the air inlet 416. The elastomer 415 and the elastic member 418 may both be springs.

With reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, a power connector 420 is mounted on the pump body 402. A mounting recess 421 is provided on a surface of the pump body 420. The power connector 420, the air inlet 416, and the exhaust hole 407 are all arranged at the bottom of the mounting recess 421; a detachable waterproof cover 422 is hermetically connected to an opening end of the mounting recess 421; and a sealing ring is connected between the waterproof cover 422 and the mounting recess 421.

A button switch 423 is mounted in the pump body 402; a position of the button switch 423 corresponds to the position of the air inlet valve rod 417, and the air inlet valve rod 417 is pressed to make the air inlet valve rod 417 touch the button switch 423. A pressure sensor is mounted in the pump body 402; the pressure sensor is connected to a pressure pipe; and the pressure pipe is in communication with the inflation port 405. A circuit board 424 is mounted in the pump body 402, and the button switch 423 and the pressure sensor are both mounted on the circuit board 424.

The inflation assembly additionally includes an electric motor 425, an inflation cylinder 426, and a piston 427, where the inflation port 405 is arranged at one end of the inflation cylinder 426. The piston 427 is fit into the inflation cylinder 426 and is provided with a suction hole 428. A one-way valve sheet 429 is mounted on the piston 427 and covers the suction hole 428, and a transmission mechanism for driving the piston 427 to reciprocate is connected between the piston 427 and the electric motor 425. The transmission mechanism includes a rotating shaft 430, a driving gear 431, a driven gear 432, a connecting disc 433, and a connecting rod 434. The rotating shaft 430 is rotatably mounted in the pump body 402, the driven gear 432 and the connecting disc 433 are both mounted on the rotating shaft 430; the driving gear 431 is mounted on an output shaft of the electric motor 425; and the driving gear 431 and the driven gear 432 are in meshing transmission with each other. The connecting rod 434 is connected to the piston 427; one end of the connecting rod 434 is provided with a connecting slot 435; a connecting pin 436 is mounted on the connecting disc 433; the connecting pin 436 is inserted into the connecting slot 435; and the connecting pin 436 rotates together with the connecting disc 433, so as to push the connecting rod 434 and the piston 427 to reciprocate together. A partition 437 is arranged at an end of the inflation cylinder 426; a one-way valve plate 438 is connected to the partition 437; a plurality of through holes 439 are provided in the partition 437; and the one-way valve plate 438 covers the through holes 439.

The pump body 402 is directly built in the SUP 401, and may be directly started during inflation, and the inflation assembly 403 generates air flow to inflate the SUP 401 through the inflation port 405, such that inflation is effort-saving and convenient with a fast inflation speed. Moreover, the pump body 402 is built in an SUP body, and may be carried together with the SUP body. When it is desired to deflate the SUP 401, the deflation valve is opened, and air in the SUP 401 can be exhausted outwards by means of the exhaust channel 406, such that operation is convenient and rapid. The inflation pump is built in the SUP 401, and may be carried together with the SUP 401; and the exhaust channel 406 is arranged on the inflation pump, such that it is unnecessary to additionally provide an exhaust hole in the SUP 401, thereby simplifying a structure of the SUP 401.

Third Example Air Pump

FIGS. 36 through 41 illustrate example embodiments of a third example air pump. According to an example embodiment, a built-in pump structure, including an exhaust function, for use with an SUP, is provided. The example embodiment includes a pump body 502 built to an SUP 501. A mounting sleeve 503 is arranged on the SUP 501, the pump body 502 is adapted and connected to the mounting sleeve 503, an inflation unit and an exhaust unit are mounted in the pump body 502, an inflation flow channel and an exhaust flow channel are arranged in the pump body 502, the inflation unit is mounted on the inflation flow channel, and the exhaust unit is mounted on the exhaust flow channel.

The exhaust unit comprises an exhaust pump 504 and an exhaust valve 505. Opposite ends of the exhaust flow channel are in communication with an outer surface of the pump body 502 to form an exhaust port 506 and a discharge port 507, and the exhaust valve 505 is mounted at the discharge port 507. Opposite ends of the inflation flow channel are in communication with the outer surface of the pump body 502 to form an inflation port 508 and an intake port 509, an intake valve 510 is mounted on the pump body 502 in a location corresponding to the location of the intake port 509, and a one-way inflation valve is mounted at the inflation port. An annular vent notch 511 is provided on the mounting sleeve 503 of the SUP 501, and the inflation port 508 and the exhaust port 506 are both in communication with the annular vent notch 511. The pump body 502 is provided with grooves corresponding to the intake port 509 and the discharge port 507, and opening ends of the grooves are connected to a waterproof cover 512.

The exhaust valve 505 comprises an exhaust valve rod 513 and an exhaust valve cover 514. The exhaust valve rod 513 is mounted at the discharge port 507; the exhaust valve cover 514 is connected to the exhaust valve rod 513; and the exhaust valve cover 514 hermetically covers the discharge port 507. An elastic member 515 is mounted between the exhaust valve rod 513 and the pump body 502; a positioning rib 516 is arranged on the exhaust valve rod 513; an edge of the discharge port 507 is provided with a sliding groove; and the sliding groove is adapted and connected to the positioning rib 516. The elastic member 515 may be a spring; an exhaust key switch 517 is mounted in the exhaust flow channel; the exhaust key switch 517 is arranged in a location corresponding to a location of the exhaust valve cover 514; the exhaust valve rod 513 is pressed to open the discharge port 507; and the exhaust valve cover 514 touches the exhaust key switch 517 to activate the exhaust pump 504 for exhausting.

The exhaust pump 504 comprises a drive motor 518 and an exhaust blade 519 mounted on an output shaft of the drive motor 518. An accommodation cavity 520 is provided in the exhaust flow channel, and the exhaust blade 519 is mounted in the accommodation cavity 520. An air vent 521 is provided at a bottom of the accommodation cavity 520; a partition 522 is mounted at a top of the accommodation cavity 520; and a number of flow guide plates 523 are uniformly distributed on a side wall of the accommodation cavity 520. One end of each flow guide plate 523 is connected to the side wall of the accommodation cavity 520; the other end of the flow guide plate 523 is inclined in a direction close to a center of the accommodation cavity 520; a flow guide channel 524 is formed between the flow guide plate 523 and the side wall of the accommodation cavity 520; and an outflow port 525 is provided on the partition 522 corresponding to the flow guide channel. Vertical flow guide plates 526 are arranged on two sides of the outflow port 525 on the partition 522. The exhaust flow channel comprises an intake portion 527 and a discharge portion 528; the exhaust pump 504 is mounted between the intake portion 527 and the discharge portion 528; the accommodation cavity 520 is provided on the intake portion 527; the discharge portion is closely connected to the intake portion 527; and side edges of the vertical flow guide plates 526 are closely attached to an inner wall of the discharge portion 528.

The intake valve comprises an intake valve rod 529 and an intake valve cover 530. The intake valve rod 529 is mounted at the intake port 509; the intake valve cover 530 is connected to the intake valve rod 529; and the intake valve cover 530 hermetically covers the intake port 509. An elastic body 531 is mounted between the intake valve rod 529 and the pump body 502; the elastic body 531 may be a spring; a positioning strip 532 is arranged on the intake valve rod 529; an edge of the intake port 509 is provided with an avoidance groove; and the avoidance groove is adapted and connected to the positioning strip 532. An inflation key switch 533 is mounted in the inflation flow channel, and the inflation key switch 533 is arranged in a location corresponding to a location of the intake valve cover 530. The intake valve rod 529 is pressed such that the intake valve cover 530 touches the inflation key switch 533.

According to one or more example embodiments the inflation unit may be analogous to that described above with respect to the first or second example air pump. Alternately, according to one or more example embodiments, the inflation unit may be an existing inflation unit utilizing an existing piston type inflation structure in which: a piston is mounted in an inflation cylinder, a piston rod is connected to the piston, and the piston rod is driven by an electric motor to reciprocate, such that the piston reciprocates in the inflation cylinder to inflate the SUP, and the one-way inflation valve is mounted at an end of the inflation cylinder. A transmission mechanism is connected between the electric motor and the piston rod to convert rotation of an output shaft of the electric motor into reciprocating movement of the piston rod. For example, the output shaft of the electric motor is drivingly connected to a drive disk, the drive disk is connected to a push column, a connecting groove is provided on the piston rod, and the push column is connected to the connecting groove. The conversion can be achieved by means of the transmission mechanism having such a structure. A mounting cavity is provided in the pump body, the inflation flow channel and the exhaust flow channel are both arranged in the mounting cavity, a flow channel path of the inflation flow channel is the intake port, the mounting cavity and the inflation cylinder, and a flow channel path of the exhaust flow channel is the intake portion, the accommodation cavity, the discharge portion and the discharge port.

The pump body 502 is built into the SUP 501 for use, and when it is necessary to inflate the SUP 501, the inflation unit is activated to inflate the SUP 501, and an airflow enters the SUP 501 through the inflation flow channel. When it is necessary to deflate the SUP 501, the exhaust unit is activated to exhaust the SUP 501, and an airflow is discharged outwards through the exhaust flow channel. The pump body 502 is built into the SUP 501, can inflate and exhaust the SUP 501, may be carried together with the SUP 501, and may provide convenient and rapid inflation and exhaust.

Although the present utility model has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments of the present utility model, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above contents are further detailed descriptions of the present utility model with respect to specific embodiments, and it cannot be assumed that the specific embodiments of the present utility model are limited to these descriptions. Various changes may be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art in terms of form and details, including some simple deduction or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model.

Although the present utility model has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments of the present utility model, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above contents are further detailed descriptions of the present utility model with respect to specific embodiments, and it cannot be assumed that the specific embodiments of the present utility model are merely limited to these descriptions. Various changes may be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art in terms of form and details, including some simple deduction or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model.

It may be understood that the example embodiments described herein may be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example embodiment may be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other example embodiments.

While example embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An inflation pump comprising:

a pump body configured to be incorporated into a stand-up paddle board (SUP),

an inflation assembly disposed within the pump body,

an inflation port configured to transmit air therethrough to inflate the SUP,

an exhaust channel configured to transmit air therethrough to deflate the SUP,

an exhaust hole in communication with the exhaust channel, and

a deflation valve mounted on the exhaust hole.

2. The inflation pump according to claim 1, wherein:

the deflation valve comprises: a deflation valve rod connected to the exhaust hole, a deflation valve cover connected to a first end of the deflation valve rod and hermetically covering the exhaust hole, and an elastomer mounted between a second end of the deflation valve rod and the pump body.

3. The inflation pump according to claim 1, further comprising:

an air inlet in the pump body and in communication with the inflation assembly,

an air inlet valve rod connected to the air inlet,

an elastic member mounted between a first end of the air inlet valve rod and the pump body, and

an air inlet valve cover connected to a second end of the air inlet valve rod, and hermetically covering the air inlet.

4. The inflation pump according to claim 3, further comprising:

a power connector mounted on the pump body,

a mounting recess provided on a surface of the pump body, wherein the power connector, the air inlet, and the exhaust hole are all arranged at a bottom of the mounting recess, and

a detachable waterproof cover hermetically connected to an open end of the mounting recess.

5. The inflation pump according to claim 3, further comprising:

a button switch mounted to the pump body such that pressing the air inlet valve rod causes the air inlet valve rod to contact the button switch.

6. The inflation pump according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting sleeve configured to be arranged on the SUP, and comprising an air vent, wherein the pump body is mounted within the mounting sleeve and the inflation port is in communication with the air vent;

an upper annular sealing gasket connected to an upper end of the mounting sleeve, wherein the upper annular sealing gasket covers an upper edge of the pump body and is configured to be hermetically connected between the SUP and an upper end surface of the pump body; and

a lower annular sealing gasket connected to a lower end of the mounting sleeve, wherein the lower annular sealing gasket covers a lower edge of the pump body and is configured to be hermetically connected between the SUP and a lower end surface of the pump body.

7. The inflation pump according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor mounted in the pump body, and

a pressure pipe connected to the pressure sensor and, in communication with the inflation port.

8. The inflation pump according to claim 1, wherein:

the inflation assembly comprises: an electric motor, an inflation cylinder, the inflation port being disposed at a first end of the inflation cylinder, a piston disposed within the inflation cylinder and comprising a suction hole formed therein, a one-way valve sheet mounted on the piston and covering the suction hole, and a transmission mechanism for driving the piston to reciprocate connected between the piston and the electric motor.

9. A pump structure comprising:

a pump body configured to be incorporated into a stand-up paddle board (SUP);

an inflation flow channel disposed within the pump body;

an exhaust flow channel disposed within the pump body;

an inflation unit mounted on the inflation flow channel in the pump body; and

an exhaust unit mounted on the exhaust flow channel in the pump body.

10. The pump structure according to claim 9, wherein:

the exhaust unit comprises an exhaust pump and an exhaust valve,

a first end of the exhaust flow channel is in communication with an outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an exhaust port;

a second end of the exhaust flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms a discharge port; and

the exhaust valve is mounted to the discharge port.

11. The pump structure according to claim 10, wherein:

the exhaust valve comprises: an exhaust valve rod mounted at the discharge port, and an exhaust valve cover connected to the exhaust valve rod, the exhaust valve cover hermetically sealing the discharge port.

12. The pump structure according to claim 11, further comprising:

an elastic member mounted between the exhaust valve rod and the pump body;

a positioning rib disposed on the exhaust valve rod; and

a sliding groove formed in an edge of the discharge port and connected to the positioning rib.

13. The pump structure according to claim 11, wherein:

the pump structure further comprises an exhaust key switch disposed in the exhaust flow channel and in contact with the exhaust valve cover such that pressing the exhaust valve rod causes the exhaust key switch to activate the exhaust pump; and

the exhaust valve rod and the discharge port are positioned such that pressing the exhaust valve rod opens the discharge port.

14. The pump structure according to claim 10, further comprising:

an accommodation cavity disposed in the exhaust flow channel and comprising an air vent formed in a bottom thereof;

a partition mounted at a top of the accommodation cavity;

a plurality of flow guide plates uniformly distributed on a side wall of the accommodation cavity, each flow guide plate comprising a first end connected to the side wall of the accommodation cavity and a second end inclined in a direction toward a center of the accommodation cavity;

an outflow port disposed on the partition

wherein an exhaust blade is mounted in the accommodation cavity.

15. The pump structure according to claim 14, wherein:

vertical flow guide plates are arranged on two sides of the outflow port on the partition.

16. The pump structure according to claim 10, wherein:

a first end of the inflation flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an inflation port;

a second end of the inflation flow channel is in communication with the outer surface of the pump body and thereby forms an intake port; and

the pump structure further comprises: an intake valve mounted on the intake port, and a one-way inflation valve mounted on the inflation port.

17. The pump structure according to 16, wherein:

the intake valve comprises: an intake valve rod mounted at the intake port, and an intake valve cover connected to the intake valve rod, the intake valve cover hermetically sealing the intake port; an elastic body mounted between the intake valve rod and the pump body, a positioning strip disposed on the intake valve rod, and an avoidance groove formed in an edge of the intake port and connected to the positioning strip;

the pump structure further comprises an inflation key switch disposed in the inflation flow channel, such that pressing the intake valve rod causes the intake valve cover to contact the inflation key switch.

18. The pump structure according to 16, further comprising:

a waterproof cover connected to a groove formed around the intake port and to a groove formed around the discharge port.

19. An inflatable stand-up paddle board, comprising:

a paddle board body comprising: an outer surface defining therein an air chamber, a mounting space extending through the air chamber in a thickness direction of the paddle board body, and an air inlet providing communication between the mounting space and the air chamber; and

an air pump disposed in the mounting space and hermetically sealed to the paddle board body, the air pump comprising an air outlet that in fluid communication with the air chamber via the air inlet.

20. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 19, wherein the outer surface comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral confining band extending in a circumferential direction of the paddle board body, the lateral confining band covering peripheral edges of each of the first surface and the second surface, such that the first surface, the second surface, and the lateral confining band, together, define the air chamber therein.

21. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 20, wherein:

the paddle board body further comprises a connection sheet, comprising a first connection sheet and a second connection sheet, connected to the first surface and to the second surface, thereby defining the mounting space therein;

the air pump comprises a pump housing;

a first end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to a side face of the pump housing, and a second end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to an outer side of the first surface; and

a first end of the second connection sheet is hermetically connected to a side face of a bottom of the pump housing, and a second end of the second connection sheet is hermetically sealed to an outer side of the second surface; and

the first connection sheet is spaced apart from the second connection sheet thereby forming the air inlet therebetween.

22. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 21, wherein the first end of the first connection sheet is hermetically sealed to the side face of the pump housing at a height in a range of one-half to two-thirds of a total height of the air pump.

23. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 21, further comprising:

a first reinforcement member extending circumferentially around an opening of the mounting space, wherein: at least one of the first surface and the second surface is attached to the first reinforcement member, and the first reinforcement member covers at least a part of an upper surface of the pump housing and one of the first end of the first connection sheet and the first end of the second connection sheet, thereby hermetically sealing the air pump to the paddle board body.

24. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 23, further comprising:

a second reinforcement member covering the first reinforcement member and extending circumferentially around the opening of the mounting space, the second reinforcement member hermetically sealing the first surface to at least a part of the upper surface of the pump housing.

25. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 24, further comprising:

a third reinforcement member covering the first reinforcement member and hermetically sealing the second surface to the air pump.

26. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 20, further comprising:

an isolating material sheet; the isolating material sheet disposed in the air chamber and extending in the thickness direction of the paddle board body, the isolating material sheet being connected to an inner side of the first surface and an inner side of the second surface and extending in a loop within the air chamber, thereby dividing the air chamber into a first air chamber and a second air chamber within the first air chamber; and a bi-directional valve disposed in the isolating material sheet and enabling communication between the first air chamber and the second air chamber.

27. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 26, further comprising an air valve enabling communication between the second air chamber and an exterior of the paddle board body.

28. The inflatable stand-up paddle board according to claim 20, further comprising:

a fourth reinforcement member extending circumferentially around the paddle board body,

wherein the fourth reinforcement member is attached to an outer surface of the lateral confining band, an upper side of the fourth reinforcement member is connected to the first surface, and a lower side of the fourth reinforcement member is connected to the second surface.