Abstract: A traction surface for a water board has been developed comprising: a traction pad formed of a molded clear thermo plastic elastomer (TPE) material, and an upper surface of the pad having a roughened texture. The upper surface of the pad may include a center ridge extending a length of the pad and substantially parallel to a centerline of the board. Further, the upper surface may include a back step at a rear of the pad and a plurality of interlaced ribs and grooves extending substantially parallel to a centerline of the board. The grooves may be spaced apart at substantially the spacing of the toes of a foot of an adult male. In addition, the pad may include a bottom surface having a lip extending around a perimeter of the bottom surface. Moreover, injection molding may form the pad.

Abstract: A traction surface for a water board has been developed comprising: a traction pad formed of a molded clear thermo plastic elastomer (TPE) material, and an upper surface of the pad having a roughened texture. The upper surface of the pad may include a center ridge extending a length of the pad and substantially parallel to a centerline of the board. Further, the upper surface may include a back step at a rear of the pad and a plurality of interlaced ribs and grooves extending substantially parallel to a centerline of the board. The grooves may be spaced apart at substantially the spacing of the toes of a foot of an adult male. In addition, the pad may include a bottom surface having a lip extending around a perimeter of the bottom surface. Moreover, injection molding may form the pad.

Abstract: A fin for an recreational device including: a rigid fin core having opposite sides, at least one edge and a base; at least one registration post on each of the opposite sides of the core, and a flexible material at least partially covering the core, wherein the flexible material include leading and trailing fin edges extending outward from the edge of the core and the flexible material is flush with an end surface of each of the at least one registration post.

Abstract: A fin for an recreational device including: a rigid fin core having opposite sides, at least one edge and a base; at least one registration post on each of the opposite sides of the core, and a flexible material at least partially covering the core, wherein the flexible material include leading and trailing fin edges extending outward from the edge of the core and the flexible material is flush with an end surface of each of the at least one registration post.

Abstract: A tail protector is disclosed that provides a soft bumper attached to the rear edge of a surfboard, or other water sport board, or snowboard. The tail protector is to protect a surfer struck by the edge of the tail section of the surfboard and protects the tail section of the board from damage. The tail protector is a strip of deformable plastic material that wraps around the tail of the board and is adhesively attached to the board. The tail protector does not extend to the bottom of the board so as to not interfere with the performance of the board.

Abstract: A protective tip cover is provided for a tip of a snowboard, surfboard, bodyboard, windsurfing board, or other sport board. It includes an integral body of energy absorbing elastomeric plastic having a channel-shaped cross-section interior surface and a rounded exterior surface front portion, and an external top and bottom. Disposed within the channel-shaped interior is a tie coat for tieing an adhesive to the body, and a pressure sensitive adhesive--preferably in the form of a double-faced tape--with a first face engaging the tie coat. The adhesive has properties which will provide secure adhesion of the body to a sport board. A release sheet engages the adhesive and when removed the tip cover can be secured to the sport board nose or tail. The protective tip cover when used with a snowboard is abrasion resistant (e.g. an abrasion resistance according to ASTM D 1044 (H-22 Wheel) of less than 10, typically about 3) and retains its energy absorbing and abrasion resistance properties at temperatures below 0.

Abstract: A surfboard fin intermediate ha a rigid body element with flexible material (e.g. rubber) covering the leading and trailing edges, with a protective material--such as aluminum foil tape--readily removably secured to the flexible material on a small part of the body element to substantially completely cover the flexible material to protect it during manufacture of a surfboard with the fin attached, such as during sanding. The fin with protective material is placed so that the base engages the bottom of a surfboard, resin impregnated fiberglass rope or roving is applied to the base of the fin and the surfboard bottom spaced from the flexible material, and then resin impregnated fiberglass cloth is applied to the fin and bottom surface of the surfboard. After the resin dries, most of the fiberglass cloth exterior of the fin is cut away with a blade, and then any unwanted portions of the fiberglass cloth associated with the fin are sanded away. Then the protective material is removed from the fin, e.g.

Abstract: A surfboard has one or more (e.g. three) fins extending from its bottom surface. Each fin is a rigid plastic body element (e.g. Shore D hardness of at least about 78) with curved leading and trailing edges, a base, and side walls. The edges intersect in a rounded tip, and the leading edge curves back toward the rear of the surfboard. The leading and trailing edges, but not the sides, of the fin rigid bodies are covered with a soft flexible material (e.g Shore A hardness of about 40-100), such as rubber, urethane, or silicone. The flexible elastomeric material has sufficient thickness, softness, and flexibility to protect a surfer impacted by a leading or trailing edge of the fin, and to act as a rudder (provide anti-cavitation action) to provide some board steerability by the surfer shifting his or her weight.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to the user upon impact with the nose portion of the board. Tip covers may be used for any type of surfboard, including those used for wind surfing. The cover comprises a relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), generally V-shaped member provided with a gently rounded apex portion and a pair of rearwardly extending wing portions which merge into side surfaces of the board. Where used with a wind surfing surf board, the tip cover has a substantially flat bottom and gradually curved top. Upper and lower surfaces of the board may be provided with slots extending from the juncture of the wing portions toward the apex. An after market kit is also provided for enhancing the safety of existing boards. The kit includes a surfboard tip cover, suitable primer and adhesive, applicators and installation instructions.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to a surfer or bystander upon impact with the nose portion of the board. Tip covers may be used for any type of surfboard, including those used for wind surfing. The cover comprises an integral relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), member provided with a gently rounded apex portion, a main body portion, and upper and lower extensions. The extensions facilitate attachment of the tip cover to the upper and lower surfaces of the board, while providing the versatility to allow the safety tip to be used with a wide variety of different nose width and thickness boards.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to the user upon impact with the nose portion of the board. The cover comprises a relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), generally V-shaped member provided with a gently rounded apex portion and a pair of rearwardly extending wing portions which merge into side surfaces of the board. Upper and lower surfaces of the board are provided with slots extending from the juncture of the wing portions toward the apex. An after market kit is also provided for enhancing the safety of existing boards. The kit includes a surfboard tip cover, suitable primer and adhesive, applicators and installation instructions.