WATERBOARD STRUT SYSTEM

Abstract

A waterboard strut is provided. The waterboard may include a body, a nose, a tail, a deck surface a bottom surface, and at least one fin attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body, wherein the at least one fin is positioned near the tail of the body, and at least one strut attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body. The strut may be positioned near the nose of the body and releasably connected. A user may ride the deck surface with the bottom surface mostly submerged in the water and as the waterboard may be in motion over or through the water, the waterboard strut may prevent the waterboard from sliding sideways enabling directional stability and control, reducing drift, improving tracking, and converting sideways forces into forward motion. The waterboard strut may be releasably connected to the bottom surface near the nose of the waterboard.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to waterboard accessories and, more particularly, to a waterboard strut that increases directional stability and converts sideways forces into forward motion.

Currently, surfboards, sailboards, knee boards, body boards, paddleboards and the like (hereafter referred to as waterboards) typically include an upwardly curving nose raised above water level, yet include all fins near the tail of the waterboard. As a result, under windy and choppy water conditions the raised nose may plane across the water, making it difficult for the user to navigate and stay on the desired course as well as subjecting the user to muscle fatigue, longer travel times and frustration.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device and system for a waterboard that converts sideways forces created by wind, choppy water and other causes of drift into forward motion. There is also a need for a device and system that increases directional stability and control, reduces drift and improves tracking so that user fatigue, travel times and frustration decrease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a waterboard strut may include a body having a nose, a tail, a deck surface, a bottom surface, at least one fin attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body, wherein at least one fin is positioned near the tail of the body, and at least one strut attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body and positioned near the nose of the body, whereby the waterboard strut converts sideways forces that the waterboard may be subject to into forward motion

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of converting sideways forces that a waterboard is subject to into forward motion may include providing the waterboard having a bottom surface, a deck surface, a nose and an upward curving rocker; providing a strut connected to and protruding from the bottom surface; providing a body of water; and riding on the deck surface as the bottom surface is moving over or through the body of water, whereby the strut converts sideways forces the waterboard is subject to into forward motion.

A waterboard strut to a waterboard comprises: providing the waterboard having a bottom surface, a nose and an upward curvature; providing a body of water; and connecting the waterboard strut releasably to the waterboard, whereby the waterboard strut converts sideways forces the waterboard is subject to into forward motion when the bottom surface is moving over or through the water.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a waterboard strut. The waterboard strut may include a waterboard having a deck surface, a bottom surface, a tail, and a nose. The waterboard may be releasably connected to the bottom surface of the waterboard using standard tools. Then in the water, the user may ride the deck surface with the bottom surface mostly submerged in the water. As the waterboard may be in motion over or through the water, the waterboard strut may prevent the waterboard from sliding sideways enabling directional stability and control, reducing drift, improving tracking, and converting sideways forces into forward motion. When done riding, the user may remove the waterboard strut for ease of transporting and storing the waterboard.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include waterboard struts of different material, size and/or shape to account for the user's skill set, riding characteristics of the waterboard and environmental conditions.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention may include a waterboard strut 100 attached to a waterboard 10. In certain embodiments, the strut 100 may be releasably attachable to the waterboard 10. The waterboard 10 may include a deck surface 20, a bottom surface 30, a tail 40, a nose 50, rocker 52, a tip 54, a body 56 and at least one fin 60. The deck surface 20 may be the topside of the waterboard 10 where the user stands or lays. The bottom surface 30 may be the surface that primarily contacts the water 70. The tail 40 and the nose 50 may be the back and front of the waterboard 10, respectively. The nose 50 may include an upward curvature known as the rocker 52 so that the tip 54 is above the water. The at least one fin 60 may be attached to the bottom surface 30 near the tail 40.

The waterboard strut 100 may vertically stabilize the waterboard 10 by preventing it from sliding sideways while the board is in motion over or through the water, much like a keel, enabling directional stability and control, reducing drift, improving tracking and dampening rolling motions. The waterboard strut 100 may convert sideways forces into forward motion.

As mentioned above, the waterboard strut 100 may be releasably connected to the bottom surface 30 so that the waterboard 10 may be used for surfing when not employing the waterboard strut 100. In certain embodiments, the waterboard strut 100 may be permanently connected to the bottom surface 30. In an alternate embodiment, the waterboard strut 100 may be permanently connected to the waterboard 10 when manufacturing the underlying waterboard 10. In certain embodiments, the waterboard strut 100 may be connected to the bottom surface 30 by a fin box that may include an elongate receiving portion having a length sufficient to insert the waterboard strut 100 into the receiving portion substantially laterally. The fin box may house the waterboard strut 100 when not in use.

The waterboard strut 100 may be made of material suitable for directional stability and control, reducing drift, improving tracking and converting sideways forces into forward motion.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The waterboard strut 100 disclosed above may be provided. While on dry land, a user may releasably connect the waterboard strut 100 to the bottom surface 30 of a waterboard 10 with standard tools, such as an Allen wrench, flat blade screwdriver, and the like. Then in the water, the user may ride the deck surface 20 with the bottom surface 30 mostly submerged in the water. In certain embodiments, the user may connect the waterboard strut 100 near the nose 50. In an alternate embodiment, the location of the waterboard strut 10 may be almost precisely determined by the rocker 54 to nose distance 50.

In certain embodiments, the user may select from a plurality of waterboard struts 100 of different materials, sizes and shapes to account for the user's skill set, the waterboard 10 riding characteristics, such as all arounder, surf standup, and the like, and environmental conditions, such as shallow water, water with a large amount of weeds, and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A waterboard comprising:

a body comprising a nose, a tail, a deck surface and a bottom surface;

at least one fin attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body, wherein the at least one fin is positioned near the tail of the body; and

at least one strut attached to and protruding from the bottom surface of the body, wherein the at least one strut is positioned near the nose of the body.

2. A waterboard of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the nose comprises an upwardly curving rocker.

3. A waterboard of claim 1, wherein the at least one fin is a plurality of fins.

4. A waterboard of claim 1, wherein the strut is releasably connected to the bottom surface of the body.

5. A method of converting sideways forces that a waterboard is subject to into forward motion comprising:

providing the waterboard having a bottom surface, a deck surface, a nose and an upward curving rocker;

providing a strut connected to and protruding from the bottom surface;

providing a body of water; and

riding on the deck surface as the bottom surface is moving over or through the body of water, whereby the strut converts sideways forces the waterboard is subject to into forward motion.

6. A method of claim 5 wherein the strut is connected near the nose at a predetermined distance between the nose and the rocker.

7. A method of providing directional stability to a waterboard comprising:

providing the waterboard having a bottom surface, a deck surface, a nose and an upward curving rocker;

providing a strut connected to and protruding from the bottom surface;

providing a body of water; and

riding on the deck surface as the bottom surface is moving over or through the body of water, whereby the strut provides directional stability.

8. A method of claim 7 wherein the strut is connected near the nose at a predetermined distance between the nose and the rocker.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)