GB2486447A

GB2486447A - Surfboard paddle and handle arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2486447A
Application number: GB1021235.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Rycroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Also published as: GB201021235D0

Abstract

A surfing training device comprises a surfboard tip cover 102, a paddle 110 which has two ends and receiving means (104, Fig 1), on the cover, adapted to releasably receive at least one end of the paddle, such that once the user stops paddling the paddle can be clipped into the receiving means and used as a handle to stabilise the user in the standing position. Also disclosed is a training surfboard having receiving means proximate to a tip of the surfboard, which is again adapted to releasably receive at least one end of the paddle, such that it can act as a handle. The paddle may have a first end formed as a blade (116, Fig 2) and a second end (114, Fig 2) formed as a paddle handle which is adapted to releasably attach to the receiving means. The blade end may act as a surfing handle (118, fig 2) when the paddle is attached to the receiving means.

Description

Training Paddle Surfboard

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to surfing training methods and apparatus therefor.

[2] Surfboards having handles attached thereto for assisting a surfer in performing various acts are known in the art.

[3] FR 2859172 to Lameche discloses a handle for steering a kite surf board. The handle is connected to a base on a kite surf board by a detachable rotary coupling, is made from an injection-moulded plastic material and incorporates a locking mechanism of non-ferrous metal with a push button and a spring-loaded rod that presses against the base. By pressing the button and turning the handle, the board is made to rotate.

[4] US 5010932 to Brinz discloses an adjustable sailboard boom handle for providing a gripping surface distanced from the boom, on an elongated flat buoyant board with a mast that carries a sail. The mast is movably attached to the board's center portion. A transverse hand held boom attaches to the mast and generally encircles the sail providing a surface for gripping.

Sleeve-like attachments are affixed to and spaced apart along the boom. A handle assembly is attached to the sleeve-like attachments and extends therebetween, providing a portion which is spaced from the boom generally between the attachments.

The handle assembly provides a gripping surface spaced from the boom during use, which is annularly oriented to the longitudinal center line of the boom.

[5] US 4929208 to Corica discloses a surfboard handle for facilitating aerial manoeuvres on a surfboard. The handle comprises an elastic strap, housed in a well in the upper surface of a surfboard, which is pulled on by a surfer to press the surfboard against his/her feet to facilitate aerials. When pulled by the surfer the elastic strap stretches sufficiently for the surfer to hold the strap while standing. The well is located rearward of the center of the surfboard in the area where the surfer stands and the well extends longitudinally along the surfboard. A pliable handle is located centrally to the strap. A cover removably fits over the well so that the strap and handle are covered when not in use.

[6] US 2004259438 to Wang discloses a rowing surfboard comprising oars. The surfboard comprises two through holes defined therethrough. Tow oars are pivotably mounted to the board through the through holes. Each oar has a blade portion which is pivotably connected to a distal end beneath the board such that the blade portion is pivoted to reduce a contact area against water when moved forward.

[7] Furthermore, it is known in the art to have a surfboard adapted for standing upon and paddling. A sport using this method has become known as stand-up paddleboarding. One advantage of stand-up paddling is that a user is in the correct position for surfing when a wave approaches, which is advantageous for beginners since the time taken to move from lying on a board to standing to surf the wave can often cause beginners to miss the wave.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[81 It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a surfboard adapted for both paddling and surfing. A further need has arisen for a surfboard adapted for beginners.

[9] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surfboard with a stowable paddle. It is a further object to provide a surfboard with a support handle.

[10] To this end, a surfing training device is disclosed comprising: a surfboard tip cover; a paddle comprising two ends; and receiving means on said cover for receiving at least an end of said paddle.

[11] An advantage of the present invention is that the paddle can be used to approach a wave while standing, making it easier for beginners to catch the wave. A further advantage is that the paddle can be stowed on the board to enable surfing. A yet further advantage is that the board comprises a handle which can be held while standing, providing support to beginner surfers. A still further advantage is that the paddle comprises the handle, thus making the equipment lighter than otherwise, and further ensuring that the handle does not interfere with paddling and the paddle does not interfere with surfing. A yet further advantage is that the board tip is covered with soft material preventing harm to the user on impact with the board tip.

Brief Description of the Several flews of the Drawiflg [12] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [13] Figure 1 shows the surfboard tip cover of the first embodiment; [14] Figure 2 shows the preferred paddle of the first embodiment; and [15] Figure 3 shows the first embodiment with the cover and paddle joined together.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[16] In a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3 wherein like numerals refer to like components, a surfing training device is disclosed comprising: a surfboard tip cover 102; a paddle 110 comprising two ends; and receiving means 104 on said cover for receiving at least an end of said paddle.

[17] The surfboard tip cover is a body shaped to attach to and enclose at least the tip of a surfboard 100. The tip cover may be any length and securely attaches to the surfboard via friction, adhesive, a strap, or any means. The tip cover preferably comprises soft material, an advantage of this being that it will not injure a surfer upon impact therewith. Most preferably the tip cover comprises high density foam backed with neoprene. Additives may be added to the sleeve material to increase resistance against UV rays, salt, water and the like, as known in the art.

[18] The tip cover may comprise a grip enhancing surface 103 which may comprise neoprene, rubber, or any suitable material, which may be attached via adhesive or other means to the upper surface of the tip cover to enhance grip. Alternatively there may be no such grip enhancing surface.

[19] The paddle comprises an elongate pole or bar 112 having two ends, with a handle 114 at one end, and a blade portion 116 at the other end, as widely known in the art and as such may be any paddle known in the art. The defining feature of the paddle is that it removably attaches, at at least one of its two ends, to the receiving means described below, thereby enabling the paddle to be mounted to the surfboard via the receiving means and used for support.

[20] The paddle preferably comprises a first end comprising a blade and a second end comprising a paddle handle; wherein said paddle handle removably attaches to the receiving means. With this arrangement, the paddle handle is held when paddling and then upturned to affix the paddle handle to the receiving means.

The blade then becomes uppermost. In this case, the blade preferably comprises a surfing handle 118. The surfing handle may be a hole in the blade as shown in the figures, enabling the fingers of the surfer's hand to be fed therethrough, and/or the end of the blade may be shaped to form a grippable handle area on the blade, or a handle may be formed from the blade by any means.

Furthermore there may be no designated handle area and the user may simply hold on to the end of the blade.

[21] Alternatively, the paddle may be designed to be used the other way around. That is, the blade end of the paddle may be designed to cooperate with the receiving means. With this arrangement, the handle end is held during paddling and during surfing. When the surfer wants to surf, s/he inserts the paddle end into the receiving means whereby the paddle becomes attached to the board. The receiving means and paddle are adapted to removably attach together together for this purpose.

[22] The receiving means preferably comprises a cavity 106 shaped to receive one end of the paddle (which, as previously described, may be the paddle handle or blade end), as well as a sprung pedal 108. The sprung pedal partially obstructs the entrance 107 to the cavity such that when the pedal spring is extended the pedal prevents the relevant end of the paddle from entering or leaving the cavity. The cavity may be within the tip cover or a within a separate component, the latter being shown in the figures. When the relevant end of the paddle is inserted into the cavity via the opening, the paddle must be pushed to depress the spring, which moves the pedal away from the opening, enabling the relevant end of the paddle to pass into the cavity. The spring then extends and the pedal partially blocks the opening, preventing the paddle from coming out of the cavity. The pedal may be pressed, preferably by foot, to enable the paddle to be removed from the cavity.

[23] Alternatively the receiving means and paddle handle or paddle blade may be shaped in any way known in the art such that they removably join together. Preferably, when the two are joined, the handle is fixed with respect to the board in at least one plane. An advantage of this is that it provides more support to the surfer.

[24] In a second embodiment of the invention, a training surfboard is disclosed comprising: a tip and a rear; a paddle comprising two ends; and receiving means proximate to said tip for receiving at least an end of said paddle.

[25] Thus in the second embodiment the receiving means for the paddle is an integral part of the surfboard and the tip cover is eliminated.

[26] The surfboard may however comprise a permanent tip cover being a body shaped to attach to and enclose at least the tip of the surfboard. The tip cover may be any length be permanently affixed to the surfboard by any means. The tip cover preferably comprises soft material, an advantage of this being that it will not injure a surfer upon impact therewith. Most preferably the tip cover comprises high density foam backed with neoprene. Additives may be added to the sleeve material to increase resistance against UV rays, salt, water and the like, as known in the art.

[27] The permanent tip cover may comprise a grip enhancing surface which may comprise neoprene, rubber, or any suitable material, which may be attached via adhesive or other means to the upper surface of the tip cover to enhance grip. Alternatively there may be no such grip enhancing surface.

[28] Furthermore, in the second embodiment there may be no permanent tip cover and the receiving means may be directly connected to the surfboard.

[29] The paddle of the second embodiment is as described in the first embodiment and may comprise any of the variations disclosed therein.

[30] The receiving means of the second embodiment is as described in the first embodiment with the exception that it is integral to the surfboard and disposed at or near the tip thereof. Preferably the receiving means comprises a cavity shaped to receive one end of the paddle, as well as a sprung pedal. (As previously described, the received end of the paddle may be the paddle handle or blade end). The cavity may be inside the surfboard body, or may be within a separate component permanently attached to the surfboard. The sprung pedal partially obstructs the entrance to the cavity such that when the pedal spring is extended the pedal prevents the relevant end of the paddle from entering or leaving the cavity. When the relevant end of the paddle is inserted into the cavity via the opening, the paddle must be pushed to depress the spring, which moves the pedal away from the opening, enabling the relevant end of the paddle to pass into the cavity. The spring then extends and the pedal partially blocks the opening, preventing the paddle from coming out of the cavity. The pedal may be pressed, preferably by foot, to enable the paddle to be removed from the cavity.

[31] Alternatively the receiving means and paddle handle or paddle blade may be shaped in any way known in the art such that they removably join together. Preferably, when the two are joined, the handle is fixed with respect to the board in at least one plane. An advantage of this is that it provides more support to the surfer.

B

Claims

Claims 1. A surfing training device comprising: a surfboard tip cover; a paddle comprising two ends; and receiving means on said cover for receiving at least an end of said paddle.
2. A training surfboard comprising: a tip and a rear; a paddle comprising two ends; and receiving means proximate to said tip for receiving at least an end of said paddle.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said paddle comprises a first end comprising a blade and a second end comprising a paddle handle; wherein said paddle handle removably attaches to said receiving means.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said blade comprises a surfing handle.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein said blade removably attaches said receiving means.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises soft material.