AU648024B2

AU648024B2 - Leash lock

Info

Publication number: AU648024B2
Application number: AU54940/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Thomas Mccausland; Gary Mountford
Original assignee: Sunbum Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sunbum Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-05-08
Filing date: 1990-05-08
Publication date: 1994-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-08
Also published as: AU5494090A

Description

Form PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: 6 '41824 Application Number: Lodged: -rComplete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: *o *'"PFiority: Related Art: ee Name of Applicant: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT _50A1BC,7 P7r -rD

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Address of Applicant: AI/t/ &-zv 2/ 6 6 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: 6It/. ,4 ('q1z'SL-4P/ 67c- 1A4/Y(2A7Fe'04 I Complete Specification for the invention entitled: e-~iS LcO C' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-* SNote: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78- L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra -1- The present invention relates to a device for securing leg ropes, wrist straps, leashes or the like to a surface of a surfboard after manufacture. The securing or mounting device of the present invention may also find use on surfaces of bodyboards, surf skies, sailboards, skateboards, snowboards, or in any application where security devices (leashes, leg ropes, wrist straps) are commonly used.

Prior art devices for mounting or securing leashes, leg ropes or the like to craft such as surfboards predominantly feature recessed plastic cones or boxes which have a bar or rod fixed or moulded across their aperture to provide a fixing or anchoring point.

These plugs are set in or recessed below the surface of surfcraft at the time of manufacture and have become accepted as the normal method of fixing leashes or leg ropes to such craft. However, the installation of such plugs at the manufacture stage (in the case of surfboards, fibreglassing them into 25mm diameter x deep holes cut into the rear deck) has several major disadvantages: it is a time consuming process, one is not able to adjust the position of the device 25 individually to suit the end user, the sectional profile of some craft prevent the recessed plugs being fitted in the optimum position, it is difficult to attach rope or cord to a recessed plug, and, if broken, the plug cannot be repaired or easily replaced.

The present invention seeks to reduce or eliminate these disadvantages or at least provide the public with a choice.

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S.. ThinvoHnio.n. broadly rcsidor in a deo4vis a dEviee -for thc attaohmzr.t of a leg or wrist rope to a urfibeard -la- The invention broadly resides in a device for the attachment of a leg or wrist rope to a surfboard or other sporting apparatus, the apparatus having an upper surface on which the user stands, the device including a body having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface being capable of engagement with the upper surface of said apparatus, means for the attachment of the device to the apparatus with said bottom surface engaged with said upper surface, the body being further provided with means for the attachment thereto of said leg or wrist rope.

oooo go o:oo oCCC C C C o• •o eoo• e:: -2or other sporting apparatus, the device including a body provided with an attachment surface ca e of engagement with a surface of said ap us, means for the attachment of the device t e apparatus with said attachment surfac gaged with said surface of the apparatus, ody being further provided with means fo e attachment thereto of said leg or wrist r Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and show respectively in isometric, side elevation and plan view a device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figs. 2 and show respectively in isometric, side elevation and plan view a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figs. 3 and show respectively in isometric, side elevation and plan view a device according to a third embodiment of the invention; •go• Figs. 4 and show respectively in e isometric, side elevation and plan view a device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figs. 5 and show respectively in isometric, side elevation and plan view a ~device according to a fifth embodiment of a the invention.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to the device consists of a body 10 of any suitable material :such as moulded plastics, having a flat lower surface ,-AA 11 for attachment to the upper surface of a surfboard, -3and a horizontal aperture 12 at its rear end, the aperture 12 extending between the sides of the body A leg rope or leash attachment portion may be passed through the aperture 12.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2 the body 10 is formed with an aperture 12 passing through a raised body portion 13.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 the body 10 is shaped to provide a ramp region 14 for traction and foot control, and to this end the body is made from elastomeric material.

In the rear of the body 10 there is provided a pair of recesses 15 opening rearwardly, and in these recesses is fixed a lateral pin 16 to which a leash or the like may be attached. The surface of the ramp region 14 may be covered with a grip material, preferably that which is available under the trade mark Gorilla Grip.

The fourth embodiment of the invention shown in Figs.

4 also provides a foot control ramp portion 14, in this case combined with a rear through-aperture Jo 12 for leash or strap fixing.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 a stowage compartment 17 is provided rearwardly of the ramp portion 14. This compartment may be provided with an integrally hinged lid 18, and may be sealed by means such as an O-ring (not shown) to provide a convenient waterproof storage for small objects such as keys, money and other personal belongings. The lid can of course be screw-mounted or *e fixed in any other way.

In each case the body of the device is preferably ~fixed to the surfboard or other craft after -4manufacture, by means which enable the particular form of device and its location and orientation to be chosen to suit the purchaser or owner. Suitable means for the attachment of the device are adhesive, resins, velcro-type materials or pins. Other means of attachment may of course be used.

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Claims

1. A device for the attachment of a leg or wrist rope to a surfboard or other sporting apparatus, the apparatus having an upper surface on which the user stands, the device including a body having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface being capable of engagement with the upper surface of said apparatus, means for the attachment of the device to the apparatus with said bottom surface engaged with said upper surface, the body being further provided with means for the attachment thereto of said leg or wrist rope. A device according to claim 1 wherein said means for attachment of said leg or wrist rope includes a passage in said body for the reception of part of said rope. A device according to claim 2 wherein said passage is substantially parallel to said surface of the apparatus. 20 4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein *0 said passage is provided in a portion of said body of increased height.

5. A device according to claim 1 for the attachment of a leg rope to a surfboard, wherein said top surface includes a portion raised relatively to said upper surface and engagable by a foot of the user.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said portion includes a ramp extending upwardly rearwardly from a forward portion of the body, the ramp being of dimensions suited for foot engagement for foot control Ai~ of the surfboard. -6-

7. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the means for attachment of said leg or wrist rope includes an aperture within a rearward portion of the body for the reception of part of said rope.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said aperture e;xtends laterally of the body between opposite side faces thereof.

9. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the means for attachment of said leg or wrist rope includes a pin mounted in a recess in the body. A device according to claim 9 wherein said •g recess faces rearwardly of the body. coo•

11. A device according to any preceding claim further including a stowage compartment in said body.

12. A device according to claim 4 wherein a stowage compartment is provided in said portion of increased height.

13. A device according to claim 5 wherein a stowage 20 compartment is provided in the body substantially adjacent the rearward end of said relatively raised portion.

14. A device according to claim 6 wherein a stowage compartment is provided in the body substantially between the rearward end of said ramp and said recess.

15. A device according to claim 13 or 14 wherein Lsaid compartment is provided with a substantially watertight closure.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said closure opens to the upper surface of the body rearwardly of the ramp.

17. A device for the attachment of a leg or wrist rope to a surfboard or other sporting apparatus, substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 2 3 4 or SUNBUM PTY. LIMITED Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: HALFORD CO.