Drive device for a surfboard
The invention relates to a drive device for a surfboard, comprising movable elements for increasing the propulsion resulting from said drive device. Said elements are set in motion by the user of the surfboard. The user can thus travel through the water with their surfboard while simultaneously training their body.
Surfboards have long been known as state of the art. A well-known surfboard usually consists of thermoplastic material or composite, (glass and carbon) or is made in timber construction, for example bamboo wood or balsa wood. At the bottom of the surfboards there are fixed and immovable stabilizers, called fins, which can be variable depending on the board type.
The invention in the specification (U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,134) describes a device for propelling a surfboard. The user of the surfboard stands on the surfboard and moves two fins attached to the rear of the board by moving a lever up and down. The fins move against the board to stabilize the board. The problem is that the user is always in the same position on the surfboard and there is hardly any controllability.
On a known surfboard (U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,126), the user can change his position on the board while operating the device for forward movement. A disadvantage of this kind of drive is, however, that controllability of the board is hardly given.
A goal of the invention is therefore to provide a propulsion device which achieves an improvement in the controllability of the surfboard.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned in the introduction in that at least one movable drive fin, which can be deflected laterally, is arranged on the underside of the surfboard.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one flexible fin is arranged at the bottom of the surfboard.
The invention and further advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to some non-limiting embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings.
When the drive rod (1) moves forward (re.) (See
In
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The user of the surfboard can set the board in motion by moving the drive rod (1) and controlling it as described. In addition, the drive bar contributes to the safety of the user since he can brace himself to avoid falling off the surfboard.
In principle, the fin (10) can be rigidly attached to the pivot rod (9). However, an arrangement as shown in
A further alternative flexible fin (10) with variable resistance is shown in
To further increase the training effect and the propulsion, fin sets as in
The alternative fin (10) in
In
The alternative fin sets (10) in
An alternative of the contrary invention is shown in Figs. The pivot rods (9, 9′) are extended by the lever arm (6, 6′). In this way, one lever arm (6, 6′) moves two fins (10) or fin sets. This arrangement stabilizes the surfboard during movement. In addition, an increase in the number of fins (10) also allows a reduction of the fins to achieve the same pre-stroke. The surfboard can have a smaller cross-section and can be moved in shallower waters.
Claims
1. A propulsion device for a surfboard with at least two movable fins (10, 10′) which can be deflected laterally and are arranged at the underfoot of the surfboard
- characterized in that
- the fins (10, 10′) are connected by at least one connecting rod (5, 5′).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1,
- characterized in that
- at least one flexible fin is arranged at the underfoot of the surfboard.
3. The device (1) according to claim 1,
- characterized in that
- at least one movable fin (10) is arranged behind the pivot point (2) of the drive rod (1) and at least one movable fin (10″) is arranged in front of the pivot point (2) of the drive rod (1).
4. The device (1) according to claim 1,
- characterized in that
- the drive rod (1) is stabilized laterally by means of a ball or slide bearing (2).
5. The device (1) according to claim 4,
- characterized in that
- a tilting of the lever arm (6) of 180° takes place by deflecting the drive rod (1) up to the mounting plate (3) towards the front or rear.
6. The device (1) according to claim 4,
- characterized in that
- the drive rod (1) is foldable or can be adjusted in height or removed.
7. The device (1) according to claim 1,
- characterized in that
- at least one movable fin (10), which is laterally deflectable, is attached on the underside of the surfboard and has a plateau (14).
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2016
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2018
Inventor: Hermann RIEGERBAUER (Gralla)
Application Number: 15/550,797