Shoulder harness for transport of water boards
A harness system for the transport of a water board, the harness system consisting of two adjustable straps, each strap having a padded portion for engagement with the shoulders of an individual, each strap of the harness having a securing means at each end removably securable to the surface of a water board such that the water board is secured to the back of the individual and supported by the individual's shoulders.
Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/744,200, filed Sep. 21, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to water boards, such as surfboards of any size, boogey boards and the like, used with respect to aquatic recreation and more particularly to a harness removably securable to the water board which allows the water board to be transported by an individual by supporting the water board to a harness secured to the individual's shoulders and allowing the individual's hands and arms to be free for the transport of additional equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Water boards are a popular form of aquatic recreation, particularly along the coastline where they can be utilized with respect to the waves generated by the wind and tides.
Surfboards were the original form of water boards in which an individual would paddle outwardly from the shoreline to a position where the individual could catch a wave and ride the board into the shore. From the original surfboards, additional types of water boards have been developed, including boogey boards, which are smaller in shape and are ridden in the prone position, and other boogey boards which are smaller in shape and which are ridden parallel to the shoreline in the breaking surf.
Surfboards can be made from wood, but are primarily made from polymer and the same holds true for the smaller boogey boards. Surfboards themselves can come in various sizes. Typically the surfboard and boogey board are slightly unwieldy and are normally carried under the arm of the individual user. The boards must be transported from the vehicle across the beach to the water line. Sometimes this is a relatively short distance, sometimes it is a relatively long distance. In addition, the board user may have additional gear which he wishes to transport to the shore line for use, such as a wetsuit, fins, mask, or the like. There therefore has been a difficulty in transporting all of this equipment in one trip.
Applicant's harness allows the water board user to strap the board, be it a surfboard of any size, or a boogey board, to his back, the harness support by the user's shoulders, such that the board can be transported from a vehicle across the beach to the water's edge, leaving the user's hands free for carrying additional equipment, food or beverage.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide for a novel harness which allows an individual to transport a water board attached to the user's back.
A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel harness which is worn about the shoulders of an individual and secures a water board to the back of an individual for transport to the water's edge.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel harness which is easily secured and unsecured from a water board without affecting the surface of the water board
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel harness which is easily secured to the water board, easily removed from the water board, and easily stored when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA harness system for the transport of a water board, the harness system consisting of two adjustable straps, each strap having a padded portion for engagement with the shoulders of an individual, each strap of the harness having a securing means at each end removably securable to the surface of a water board such that the water board is secured to the back of the individual and supported by the individual's shoulders.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
The adjustable strap portion 22 and buckle 24 allow for the strap member to be adjusted to the torso and height of the individual. The suction cups 16 and 18 on each harness 12 and 14 are designed to be engaged with a surface of a water board. The water board can thus be carried on the back of an individual leaving the individual's arms free for carrying additional gear.
In all of the aforesaid illustrations, the preferred embodiment of the harness system utilizing the suction cups allows for the individual to quickly and easily secure the harness system to the surface of the water board and to engage the harness system with the shoulders of the individual for the transport of the water board to and from the waters edge while allowing the individual's hands and arms freedom to carry or transport additional gear.
It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that different manners of arrangement with respect to the harness system are and will be available, which would allow such transport.
Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
Claims
1. A harness system for the hands-free transport of a water board by a user, the harness system comprising:
- a water board;
- a pair of vertically oriented harnesses parallel to the longitudinal axis of said water board, each of said vertically oriented harnesses comprising an upper harness strap, and a lower harness strap, secured together by a slide clip for adjustment of the harness straps;
- a securing means securing the harness straps to a surface of said water board allowing a user to support the water board in a vertically oriented position on the user's back.
2. The harness system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means for said harness system comprises a plurality of suction cups, one suction cup secured to an upper end of each of said upper harness straps and one suction cup to a lower end of each said lower harness straps, said suction cups selectively compressed and engaged with a surface of said water board to secure said harness system to said water board, a user inserting the arms and shoulders through said vertically oriented harnesses for support of said water board on said user's back.
3. The harness system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper harness straps of said harness system incorporate a padded shoulder pad for engagement with shoulders of said user.
4. The harness system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a pair of adjustable horizontally oriented loop straps, one horizontal loop strap secured to lower ends of said lower harness straps of said harness system, an opposing horizontal loop strap secured to upper ends of said upper straps of said harness system, said adjustable horizontal oriented loop straps circumforentially frictionally engaging a tapered lower portion of said water board and a tapered upper portion of said water board to permit hands-free transport of said water board on the back and shoulders of said user.
5. The harness system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said upper harness straps of said harness system incorporate a padded shoulder member for engagement with the shoulders of said user.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 17, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 19, 2015
Inventor: Charles Sidwa (Forked River, NJ)
Application Number: 13/987,915
International Classification: B63B 35/79 (20060101); A45F 3/04 (20060101);