Aquatic Body Board

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved aquatic body surfing board for use by a rider in prone position. The nose of the board has a substantially semi-circular or semi-elliptical outline that defines the maximum width of the board. The under surface of the board is provided with one or more longitudinal channels extending from the forward midsection of the board to the trailing end, wherein such channels provide stability and maneuverability to the board in the waves. The upper surface of the board optionally comprises a shallow concave depression sized to accommodate the width of the body of a user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/171,801, filed Apr. 22, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an aquatic body board for recreational use and more specifically to a board with improved stability and reduced drag.

BACKGROUND

A variety of body boards having specific features that improve handling and performance are known. In some body boards fins are attached to the bottom of the board to provide steering and stability. Also, several patents describe enhancing features disposed or formed on the top of the board. For example, Brown U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,034 teaches a scoop on the top surface of the front nose end that has a concave section on the deck of the board for enhanced gripping of a rider's arm. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,269 shows a pair of thumb grooves along two side edges of the top of the board while U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,470 to Sneddon describes elongated ridges extending diagonally across from one side edge of the top surface to the other edge of the top surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,779 to Stewart depicts a body board with top surface region of hourglass shape to better accommodate a human torso.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,098 to Acosta describes an aquatic body board with enhanced maneuverability, speed and comfort having a tapered upturned nose, a concave valley extending along the length of the top surface of the board to accommodate the body of the user, at least one concave channel extending the entire length of the board on the bottom surface and at least one fin to aid stability and maneuverability.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,399 to Blumenfeld discloses a body board consisting of a shaped panel of material that is buoyant in water having a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein the bottom of the shaped panel has one or more hour-glass shaped grooves extending through entire length of the panel such that the grooves are opened at each end.

Advantages of the body boards of the present invention will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes an aquatic body board for recreational use by a rider in prone or face-down position, wherein typical embodiments have an elongate board with a substantially planar top surface, an under surface, a frontal section, a midsection, a rear section, a rear edge and two side edges; wherein the frontal section is configured to describe a generally semi-circular or semi-elliptical outline that defines the maximum board width and wherein the minimum width of the midsection defines the minimum board width. The under surface is configured to describe one or more elongate channels or grooves disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate board such that the channels extend from a closed proximal end disposed within the midsection of the board to an open distal end extending through the rear edge of the board.

In certain preferred embodiments the under surface of the board is provided with two parallel elongate channels disposed in mirror image fashion on each side of the longitudinal-axis extending along the center of the board. Such channels provide and enhanced stability and maneuverability to the board in the water. In certain embodiments two elongate parallel channels are disposed in mirror image fashion on each side of the longitudinal-axis such that inner edges of each channel are facing and wherein the distance between the inner edges of the channels is equal to or greater than 10% of the minimum width of the board. In certain preferred embodiments the distance between the inner edges of the channels is equal to or greater than 20% of the minimum width of the board and in certain most preferred embodiments the distance between the inner edges of the channels is equal to or greater than 40% of the minimum width of the board.

In certain embodiments of the aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the under surface of the board at the frontal section is gently sloped or tapered toward the top surface and wherein the board is configured such that the proximal ends of the one or more channels do extend beyond into the sloped or tapered area of the frontal section.

In certain embodiments the upper surface of the board comprises a recess or recessed area or in the form of a shallow concave depression sized to accommodate the chest of a user wherein the recess or recessed area extends from an area generally in the forward midsection of the board through the rear end of the board such that the recess or recessed area is open at the rear end of the board.

In certain preferred embodiments the board has a smooth upper surface, a smooth under surfaces with edges contoured to provide a gently curved transition between the upper surface, the lower surface, the nose and the tail such that the board lacks any discernible sharp edges. In certain preferred embodiments the nose of the board has a semi-elliptical shape such that the major axis of the ellipse is disposed along the longitudinal x-axis of the board. In other preferred embodiments the nose of the board has a semi-elliptical shape such that the minor axis of the ellipse is disposed along the longitudinal x-axis of the board member. In all such preferred embodiments the left and right edges of the ellipsoidal nose defines the maximum width of the board.

In certain embodiments the board has on or more small opening extending through the thickness of the board member which are sized and shaped function to as anchor points for commercially available accessories such as gripping handles, retaining cords, leashes and the like.

The body boards of the present invention can be fabricated from any known suitable body board or surfboard materials by any known fabrication process. In certain preferred embodiments the board comprises a foamed or cellular core material covered with smooth layers composite polymer materials. In certain embodiments the foamed or cellular core material is a polyurethane and the composite polymer material is a fiberglass and polyester composite, while in certain other embodiments the foamed or cellular core material is a polyurethane and the composite polymer material is a fiberglass/epoxy resin composite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the top of an embodiment of a body board.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom an embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an orthogonal top view of an embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal bottom view of the embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an orthogonal side view of the embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional orthogonal view of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1 taken through an area near the center of the board.

FIG. 7 is a sectional orthogonal view of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1 taken through an area between the center and the tail end of the board.

FIG. 8 is a sectional orthogonal view of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1 taken through an area near the tail end of the board.

FIG. 9 is a sectional orthogonal view of the body board illustrated in FIG. 3 taken parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a body board having fins attached to the bottom surface.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom orthogonal view of a body board having two channels in the bottom surface.

FIG. 13 is a bottom orthogonal view of a body board having a single channel in the bottom surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a view from the upper surface of a typical embodiment of a body board 100 and FIG. 2 is illustrated a view from the underside of the body board 100. The upper surface of the board is configured to define a shallow concave depression 109 sized to accommodate the width of the body of a user disposed across the majority of the width of the board and extending from the forward midsection of the board through the trailing end of the board such that the channel is open at the tail end of the board. The underside of the board is provided with two essentially parallel channels 103 and 104 disposed in mirror image fashion on each side of the center longitudinal axis of the board. The channels 103 and 104 is have closed proximal ends 107 and 108 respectively. The channels 103 and 104 are disposed near the midsection of the board wherein the channels extend completely through the rear end of the board such that the distal ends 105 and 106 of the channels are open. The body board 100 further comprises a hole or opening 110 extending through the thickness of the board, which is positioned near the frontal section (nose) 101 of the board and is configured to be suitable for the attachment of a tow rope or leash 115, and other openings or holes 111, 112, 113 and 114 extending through the thickness of the board and disposed along and parallel to the outer edges of the frontal section or nose 101 of the board wherein the openings are suitable for the attachment of a grip handles 116 and 117.

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are illustrated an orthogonal top view and an orthogonal bottom view respectively of the body board 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the substantially semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape defined by the edges of the body board nose 101 is clearly depicted. Also depicted in FIG. 3 are the features defined as the maximum board width labeled W1, the minimum board width labeled as W2 and the board length labeled L. In FIG. 3 is further illustrated the parallel channels 103 and 104 in the bottom surface of the board. In typical embodiments of the invention the maximum board width W1 is from about 1.1 to 2.0 times the minimum board width W2, in certain other embodiments the maximum board width W1 width is from about 1.2 to 1.8 times the minimum board width W2, while in other certain preferred embodiments the maximum board width W1 is from about 1.3 to 1.6 times the minimum board width W2. Also, in typical embodiments of the invention the board length L is from about 1.1 to 3.0 times the maximum board width W1, and in certain embodiments the board length L is from about 1.2 to 2.5 times the maximum board width W1, while in certain preferred embodiments the board length L is from about 1.5 to 2.0 times the maximum board width W1.

In FIG. 5 is illustrated an orthogonal side view of the embodiment of the body board illustrated in FIG. 1 that clearly shows the variation in the depth of the channel 104 from the closed proximal channel end 107 to the open distal channel end 105. An important functional feature of the body boards of the present invention is the variation in depth of the channels in the bottom surface of the boards wherein the minimum channel depth is at the closed proximal end of the channel and the maximum channel depth is at the open distal end of the channel. In typical embodiments the maximum depth of the channels at the tail end of the board is from about 5% of the maximum board thickness to greater than 50% of the maximum board thickness. In certain embodiments the maximum depth of the channels at the tail end of the board is from about 10% of the maximum board thickness to about 50% of the maximum board thickness, while in certain preferred embodiments the maximum depth of the channels at the tail end of the board is from about 15% of the maximum board thickness to about 40% of the maximum board thickness. Also in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 the underside 120 of the board 100 at the frontal 101 is gently sloped or tapered toward the top surface of the board. In all such embodiments, wherein the frontal section or nose of the board is so configured, the overall dimensions are rendered such that the proximal ends of channels in the bottom surfaces are closed and do not extend into the sloped or tapered area of the frontal section.

The cross sectional orthogonal views illustrated by FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 clearly show the variation in depth of the channels 103 and 104 in the body board 100. FIG. 6 is a sectional orthogonal view taken through an area near the center of the board while FIG. 7 is a sectional orthogonal view taken through an area between the center and the tail end of the board and FIG. 8 is a sectional orthogonal view taken through an area near the tail end of the board. In FIG. 9 is depicted a sectional orthogonal view of the body board 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the section is taken parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board and cuts through the channel 104 showing the variation in depth. This FIG. 9 also clearly illustrates the concave depression 109.

In FIG. 10 is illustrated a top perspective view of an embodiment of a body board 200 wherein the upper surface of the board is configured to define a shallow concave depression 205 sized to accommodate the width of the body of a user disposed across the majority of the width of the board and extending from the forward midsection of the board through the trailing end of the board such that the channel is open at the tail end of the board. This embodiment of body board 200 also comprises skegs or fins 210 attached to the bottom surface at the tail end. In FIG. 11 is illustrated a bottom perspective view of the body board 200 as illustrated in FIG. 10 wherein is clearly shown that the attachment points the fins 210 to the bottom surface of the board 200 are between the channels 206 and 207 and the edges of the tail end of the board. Also, in this and other such embodiments the skegs or fins 210 as well as the longitudinal axes of the channels 207 and 208 are disposed to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board 200.

FIG. 12 is a bottom orthogonal view of a body board 400 configured to define two channels 410 and 411 in the bottom surface. In this embodiments and other similar embodiments the closed channel proximal ends 412 and 413 are disposed in the frontal section of the board forward of the points 415 that define the maximum width of the board 400 and the channels extend through the tail of the board and are open at channel distal ends 416 and 417.

FIG. 13 is a bottom orthogonal view of a body board 500 having a single channel 510 in the bottom surface wherein the closed channel proximal end 511 is disposed at in the frontal section of the board near points 515 that define the maximum width of the board 500 and the channel extends through the tail of the board and is open at channel distal end 512.

Additionally, the body boards of the present invention can be conveniently fabricated in different sizes to accommodate different sized users without compromising function. Therefore, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, that would be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

The body boards of the present invention can be fabricated from any suitable body board or surfboard material by any suitable fabrication process. In general such body boards are made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam covered with layers of fiberglass, cloth and polyester or epoxy resin the result of which is a light and strong buoyant. Body boards materials also include, but are not limited to, foamed or cellular expanded polymers including, but not limited to, polystyrene, polyurethane, PVC and the like with coverings of a smooth layer of a polymer or polymer-based composite such as an epoxy resin, a polyester/fiberglass composite. The body boards may also be fabricated by techniques involving foam blanks, cedar stringers and fiberglass composites, gloss coating and the like.

Certain features of body board configurations depicted in the accompanying figures are for illustrative purposes and many variations are possible and in certain embodiments necessary. Other embodiments of the devices and methods of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the description and drawings of the embodiments presented herein and the present invention is in no way limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An aquatic body board comprising: an elongate board having a substantially planar top surface, an under surface, a frontal section, a midsection, a rear section, a rear edge and two side edges; wherein the frontal section is configured to describe a generally semi-circular or semi-elliptical outline that defines the maximum board width and wherein the minimum width of the midsection defines the minimum board width and wherein the maximum board width is at least 1.2 times greater than the minimum board width; and wherein the under surface comprises one or more elongate channels disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate board wherein the channels extend from a closed proximal end disposed within the frontal section or midsection of the board to an open distal end extending through the rear edge of the board.

2. The aquatic body board of claim 1 further comprising a recessed cavity in the top surface dimensioned to accommodate the body of user lying a the prone position.

3. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the one or more channels vary in depth from a minimum depth at the proximal end to maximum depth at or near the distal end.

4. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the maximum board width is 1.2 to 1.8 times greater than the minimum board width.

5. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the board is configured to define one or more openings extending through the thickness of the board wherein the openings are suitably disposed such that handles, leashes or other such accessories can be removedly attached to extend from the top surface body board.

6. The aquatic body board of claim 5 wherein at least one of the one or more openings is suitable disposed in the rear section of the board such that fins or skegs can be attached to and extend from the under surface board.

7. The aquatic body board of claim 1, further comprising one or more fins or skegs extending from and essentially perpendicular to the bottom surface in the rear section of the board.

8. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein two elongate parallel channels are disposed in mirror image fashion on each side of the longitudinal-axis such that inner edges of each channel are facing and wherein the distance between the inner edges of the channels is equal to or greater than 10% of the minimum width of the board.

9. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the under surface of the board at the frontal section is gently sloped or tapered toward the top surface and wherein the board is configured such that the proximal ends of the one or more channels do not extend into the sloped or tapered area of the frontal section.

10. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the a rear edge and two side edges are contoured to provide a gently curved transition between the top surface, the under surface such that the board lacks any discernible sharp edges.

11. The aquatic body board of claim 1 wherein the elongate board comprises a foamed or cellular core material covered with smooth layers of a composite polymer material.

12. The aquatic body board of claim 11 wherein the foamed or cellular core material comprises a polyurethane and the composite polymer materials comprises fiberglass and polyester.

13. The aquatic body board of claim 11 wherein the foamed or cellular core material comprises a polyurethane and the composite polymer material comprises fiberglass and an epoxy resin.