Abstract: A kneeboard formed of upper and lower polymeric shells about a core material and having a internal, generally vertical stiffener to impart strength to the kneeboard and to provide a low profile strengthened kneeboard.

Abstract: A swim fin having a foot section with a foot cavity, a soft rubber foot pocket, and a blade section composed of blended cured layers of rubber sheet materials of selected durometer hardness. The swim fin is prepared by placing layers of sheet materials of different durometer hardness about a foot last and compression and heat molding the layers to form a molded, multiple layered, integral swim fin of selected durometer hardness.

Abstract: A wakeboard having rear and front center fins and a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel, canted rear and front asymmetric side fins to provide enhanced rider control and performance of the wakeboard during maneuvers.

Abstract: A wakeboard binding and system with a baseless beam support. The binding includes a shaped metal or plastic beam, bent or formed to define a baseless U-shaped cavity between the beam sides. The baseless beam support secures, by fasteners, the sheet material to form the boot enclosure between the upper inner flange of the beam and lower separate strips.

Abstract: A variable flexible bodyboard, which includes therein, at least one variable, flexible stringer rod. The stringer rod composed of a material to impart stiffness to the body of the bodyboard, such as a fiber-resin material, and a material to impart flexibility to the front nose area of the bodyboard, such as a polyethylene material.

Abstract: An adjustable, seat-planar hydroplane apparatus of an inflatable, pneumatic inner tube with a central opening and a flexible cover encasing the tube and forming a smooth hydroplane bottom surface over the opening with an adjustable flexible strip detachably secured at the one, the other, or both ends, or in an intermediate overlap section which adjustably forms a top, taut plane surface, a draped seat in the opening, or may be removed and installed as desired.

Abstract: A pull-on wakeboard binding which includes a heel receptacle with an outer rear surface, and a pull-on strap which is secured longitudinally and centrally to the rear exterior surface of the heel receptacle. The pull-on strap includes an upper open loop to be grasped by a user to assist in the pulling on of the binding and a secured first and second strap section to form an open load-transfer intermediate loop between the sections.

Abstract: An adjustable wakeboard binding for use on a wakeboard comprising sheet material to form a heel assembly and a forefoot assembly of a boot-like enclosure. The binding is adjustable to a desired tension and foot size of a user by the use of hook and loop-type fastener materials.

Abstract: A soft wakeboard for use behind watercraft, the wakeboard having a central torsion box with front and rear fin blocks, to secure front and rear fins thereto, and strengthened foam core blocks on either side to provide a foam core material. A closed-cell foam top skin layer and a smooth, polymer bottom skin layer are shaped and bonded to the contoured core material. Vertically extending fins are secured to the fin blocks and extend from the bottom skin layer.

Abstract: A body or sports board having a continuous strip rail extending over the width of bevelled side, nose and side and optionally, also over the tail surfaces.

Abstract: A wakeboard binding which includes a single piece, adjustable, binding overlay elastomeric sheet material, with a pair of spaced apart extended arms, the binding adapted to be secured over the top surface of a heel and toe receptacle which form a boot-like enclosure.

Abstract: A wakeboard binding having a boot or foot enclosure with a heel receptacle, the heel receptacle having an extended, central, pull-on strap secured to the exterior of the heel receptacle material, with the extended strap forming an upper pull-on loop, an intermediate load transfer loop, and a lower anchor loop to be secured to a support plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports or body board for use in gliding or sliding on a fluid surface, such as water or snow and/or both. The board is designed with a step deck rail along the length of both sides of the board to decrease rail drag and to increase performance, speed and maneuverability. The step deck rails are created by removing mass, through routing or other shaping, a preferred depth and width along the outside line of the board. The side rails can be created in a variety of shapes, depths and thicknesses as desired by the manufacturer for a particular use. Mass may be removed from either the top or bottom of the side rail or both as desired, and the width, bevel angle, depth and thickness of the step rail or rails may vary as desired.

Abstract: A sports board, particularly a body board, for surfing purposes, which board is a preformed, preshaped foam board composed of closed-cell foam material, with an inner core of low density foam material and an outer core of foam material of greater density than the inner core. The board has a top and bottom surface and two sides, the sides containing outwardly extending angular side rails thereon, extending from one to the other end of the board, and around the front of the board. The board includes an integral thermoplastic polymer film material heat-laminated only to the bottom surface of the board, and to the lower side rail surface of the board. The polymer film material provides a low-frictional bottom surface and lower side rail surface and provides for enhanced mechanical stiffening of the board.

Abstract: A method for applying a decal or graphic design to a foam substrate is provided. A decal or graphic design comprising polyethylene is provided on a web of carrier paper that is collected on a spool. The web is drawn through a hot stamp press equipped with a crowned silicone head that is heated to about 375.degree. F. The head presses the web to the substrate with a pressure of about 20 psi and a dwell of about 7 seconds, after which the web is removed from the substrate and is automatically advanced to the proper position for the next decal or graphic design to be applied.

Abstract: An improved aquatic sports board is provided. The rail of the board is equipped with a plurality of apertures which are arranged in a pattern along the length of the rail. The apertures serve to reduce the drag on the bodyboard as it moves through the water.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a cross-linked, rigid, polyethylene, foam sheet product, which method comprises heating at least one surface of a cross-linked, polyethylene, foam sheet material, to a temperature sufficient to cause a slight surface post-expansion of the foam sheet material, contacting the heated, post-expanded, foam surface with a cold metal element, to form a cross-linked, polyethylene, foam sheet product of the desired, accurate thickness, or having a desired three-dimensional design on the cross-linked, foam sheet material.