WO2016079567A1 - Surfboard loop protection - Google Patents

Abstract

An extendable surfboard loop protection, which contours a surfboard with foam-padded fabric. The surfboard loop protects the areas of board nose, rails and tail, and also extends to any size and shape of these areas' contours within a given board-type range. The loop's structure is configured by bends and folds created with patterns of stitches. Extensions in length are realized with elastic bands. Adjustments in width and thickness are achieved through the structure's flexibility and the use of soft materials. The used materials and strategically placed patterns of stitches allow the product to be folded into a compact packaging size. Light-weight and small-sized when folded, the product is easy to handle and store when not in use. When in use, it is assembled quickly and protects the most susceptible areas of a surfboard or other sports-boards in a space-saving manner. It is designed to be used on its own or in combination with other protective devices such as surfboard-bags.

Description

SURFBOARD LOOP PROTECTION

BACKGROUND

[0001] The fiberglass construction of modern surfboards is necessary for weight and manoeuvrability. However, given the harsh surf environment, modern surfboards are prone to accumulating dings, which are dents or other damage due to collision with rocks, etc. Dings also occur as the result of travel, especially as it is becoming more common for surfers to bring their surfboards to experience surfing at locations around the world. In fact, surf travel is a sizable niche in the travel industry. [0002] Several products exist to address the problem of surfboard damage during travel. These products each have various drawbacks, which in many cases can be categorized as follows. First, the product's performance does not warrant the price. Second, many products have difficulty achieving a custom fit, as necessary for varying sizes of surfboards. For example, some products include bags in which a surfboard may be inserted, where the bag is equipped with foam for ding protection. Unfortunately, these products are not adjustable and further lack protection against sudden sharp impacts. Other products work to focus protection on the nose or tail of the surfboard. However, these lack protection of surfboard rails. Still other products protect the nose, tail, and rails, but not to a sufficient degree, and not in a way that is adjustable to fit varying sizes of surfboards. Additional attempts at protecting surfboards include large hard suitcases in which a surfboard may be stored during travel. However, such solutions are generally very heavy and expensive.

[0003] In more detail, surfboard protection devices have been disclosed in, e.g., the Geronimo (US 4, 719,952), Mori (US 4,586,451), Joyce (US 3,374,495), and Koett/Wilson (WO2012068143) patents. All four designs describe a moulded, wrap-around protector. None of these designs, however, provide both fully adjustable and compact comprehensive protection of key areas such as the nose, tail, and rails, nor are they especially versatile to use. Joyce (US 3,374,495) discloses a nose bumper that affixes to the tip of a surfboard by means of an adhesive. Triangular-shaped cut outs are made along its upper and lower walls to increase its flexibility. Although form- fitting, the design lacks protection in the tail and rails and is a permanent fixture. Mori (US 4,586,451) utilizes a system of partial covers to protect the surfboard. These are forced on non- adhesively and fastened by belts. The coverage provided is limited, and it may be unwieldy to transport the numerous parts and awkward belts. Geronimo (US 4,719,952) employs a design that provides protection of the areas most susceptible to damage. His design, however, is non-adjustable and would fit the form of just a single surfboard. A user would be required to purchase a custom cover for each surfboard owned. Koett and Wilson (WO2012068143) utilize a hard shell design, made of corrugated moulded up pulp, which is extendable in length. They employ separate pieces, that form protectors for nose, tail and rails, and are connected and extended by adaptor pieces. The coverage and extension in length is realized; however the construction leaves the user with multiple large and inflexible pieces to assemble one after the other. Furthermore, the construction does not adapt to various nose and tail shapes, but instead employs different protector pieces. A user would be required to purchase custom nose and tail pieces for different shapes of surfboards.

SUMMARY

[0004] The invention is a protective loop made of fabric padded with foam. It is intended to be used on surfboards or other sports-boards for purposes of protection for travel packaging or storage. Two pieces, one for nose and rails and the other for the tail are partitioned by patterns of stitches and connected by elastic bands. The invention adjusts easily to different board-sizes, and protectively contours the shape of a surfboard or other sports-boards, with foam covering the areas to be protected at all times.

[0005] The embodied system of the invention employs four basic elements. The first element is a stitched sandclock-shaped nose piece, formed around the top area of the surfboard. It allows for adjustment of different sizes and shapes of nose perimeters. The second element is a curved structure covering the rails of the surfboard. This curved structure has a gripping function, embracing the board-rails and adapting to the varying board-shapes and thicknesses of rails. The structure is achieved through two stitches forming a rail strip and allowing loop panels on each side of this rail strip to bend onto the board-deck and embrace the surfboard. The third element is an extension realized with elastic bands attaching different parts of the loop to each other. This allows for an accurate extension to any board-size within a given range (i.e. Shortboards, Mini-Malibus, Longboards). The fourth element is a stitched double angle structure formed around the tail perimeter of the surfboard. It is designed to receive different sizes and shapes of board-tails, bending easily through stitches placed on the flexible material. [0006] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. Velcro elements and/or strings running along the edges of selected loop panels, or the entire inner circumference of the loop, may be attached to adjust the nose rail and tail sections for a better fit. For extending purposes an elastic band may join nose parts and rail parts, different rail parts, rail parts and tail parts or a combination of all the above together. Robust fabrics may be added to the sides and edges of the loop to add extra protection in those areas. Functional stitching patterns may be applied to different areas of the loop. Stitching patterns for design purposes may be applied to any area.

The loop may be folded to form a compact square or rectangular package of multiple layers. A sown-in pouch to comprise this compact package may be attached to any part of the invention.

[0007] Advantages of the invention include the interchangeable use on and easy adjustment to a broad range of surfboard sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a quick assembly as well as compact and light-weight packaging are guaranteed. The invention is made of soft, flexible and long-lasting materials.

Other advantages will be apparent from the description that follows, including the figures and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig.1(A) and (B) illustrates a plan view of the two individual loop-pieces as a flat pattern.

[0009] Fig.2(A) and (B) illustrates detailed views of an isolated nose section.

[0010] Fig.3(A) and (B) illustrates detailed views of an isolated tail section.

[0011] Fig.4(A) - (C) illustrates detailed views of an isolated rail section.

[0012] Fig.5(A) and (B) illustrates a plan view of the assembled loop structure.

[0013] Fig.6 illustrates a perspective view of the folding and packaging structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to Fig.1(A) and (B), a plan view is given of the loop's two main pieces in a separated and flat pattern view before completed stitching and assembly of the loop.

[0015] Fig.1(A) shows the piece for the nose section 1 and the two rail sections 2a and 2b. The nose section is a sandclock-shaped piece which is partitioned by stitching 3a to make it fold easily. The diagonal edges 3b of the sandclock-shape will be joined together by stitching to create the shape of a nose.

[0016] Each of the two rail sections 2a and 2b are partitioned by stitching 3c. On both ends of the partitioning stitches 3c, small triangular-shaped cut outs are made. The edges of these cut outs 3d will be joined together to form a curvature on the inner circumference of the assembled loop.

[0017] Running along the entire nose section and rail sections is the rail strip 4.

[0018] Every part of the loop has a rail strip 4. The areas besides the rail strip are defined as loop panels 5, which bend onto the board-deck when the loop is pulled onto a surfboard. [0019] The bottom parts of each rail section 6a and 6b function as the extension pieces and will be overlapped by a tail side part Fig.1(B) 8b or 8c. Two fabric pockets 7 are attached to each rail on the second part from the bottom to guide the connecting elastic band Fig.1(B) 9 along the rail.

[0020] Fig.1(B) shows the tail piece, comprising parts 8a-c. The tail piece is partitioned by stitching 3e into a base part 8a and two side parts 8b and 8c, which run on the outer side of and overlap the extension parts Fig.1(A) 6a and 6b of the rail pieces Fig.1(A) 2a and 2b. The tail parts are joined in the same way the nose parts Fig.1(A) 3b and the rail corners Fig.1(A) 3d are; by making triangular-shaped cut outs and joining their diagonal edges together 3f.

[0021] Also running along the entire tail piece is the rail strip 4: two narrow parallel stitches on the tail base part 4d to grasp the board tail, and wider on the side parts 4e to run smoothly on top of the rail extension pieces Fig.1(A) 6a and 6b.

[0022] On each tail side part 8b and 8c, two elastic bands 9 are attached by stitching to connect the tail piece Fig.1(B) to the piece for nose section and rails sections Fig.1(A). More specific, the elastic bands 9 are attached to the inside of the pockets Fig.1(A) 7 on the rail sections' Fig.1(A) 2a or 2b second part from the bottom.

[0023] Two or more partitioning stitches 10 are added to each tail side part 8b and 8c next to the tail base part 8a to make the tail piece bend and adjust to various board-tail sizes and shapes.

[0024] Referring to Fig.2(A) and (B), a detailed front view is given of an isolated nose section 1. The nose section 1 is the connecting piece between both rail sections as shown on Fig.1(A) 2a and 2b. [0025] Fig.2(A) shows the nose section 1 in a folded state. The nose piece is partitioned by a stitch 3a in the middle of the nose section, shown as the tip of the structure. The nose parts are partitioned from the rail sections Fig.1(A) 2a and 2b by stitches 3c. [0026] Fig.2(B) shows the same section in an assembled state. The diagonal edges of the nose parts as referred to with Fig.1(A) are stitched together 3b and make it possible that the nose parts la and lb can be moved away from each other, to adjust to different widths of board noses. By pulling the parts la and lb away from each other, the loop panels 5 bend onto a board-deck on both sides of the rail strip 4 forming a concave.

[0027] Referring to Fig.3(A) and (B), a detailed view is given of an isolated tail section 8a-c in a stitched and assembled state.

[0028] In Fig.3(A) the tail base part 8a is partitioned from the two side parts 8b and 8c by stitches 3e. The diagonal edges of the tail parts are joined together by stitches 3f and create the shape of a board tail.

[0029] Fig.3(B) shows the tail piece in an extended state. The partitioning stitches 10 on each side of the base part 8a allow for various widths and shapes of board tails. The elastic band 9 is attached on the inside of the tail pieces 8b and 8c and extends to a configured length.

[0030] Referring to Fig.4(A)-(C), a detailed view is given of an isolated rail section. [0031] Fig.4(A) shows the rail sections 2a and 2b, which are connected to the nose section as shown in Fig.1(A) at stitches 3c. These stitches 3c are repeated on the remaining rail piece and partition it into parts as described in Fig.1(A).

[0032] Fig.4(B) shows the rail sections 2a and 2b in a stitched and assembled view: the loop panels 5 are bent inward along the rail strip 4 to cover the surfboard. They are joined together at their edges 3d by stitching to form the inner curvature, which has a shorter circumference than the outer spine, defined as the rail strip 4. This makes the entire structure bend and embrace the contours of a board while stabilizing the structure. A similar system is employed for the nose and tail sections.

[0033] Fig.4(C) shows the rail strip 4, defined by two stitches which run along the board rails. To adjust to the varying thicknesses of a board, it begins narrow 4a at the top- section, becomes wider 4b in the mid-section and narrower 4c again toward the bottom- section of the rail.

[0034] Referring to Fig.5(A) and (B), a plan view is given of the assembled loop in a non- extended and an extended state.

[0035] Fig.5(A) shows the loop in a non-extended state, with the tail piece 8 covering the bottom part of the rail sections 2a and 2b. Fabric pockets 7 are attached above the tail piece and serve to receive and guide the extending elastic band 9.

[0036] Fig.5(B) shows the loop in an extended state, with the elastic band 9 stretching across the rail sections' bottom parts 6a and 6b. On the rail section, the elastic band is attached inside fabric pockets 7. Partitioning stitches 10 on both sides of the tail base part 8a help to bend the material and adjust to different sizes and shapes of tails.

[0037] Referring to Fig.6, a perspective view is given of the folded loop before assembly. The partitioning stitches 3c help to fold the material in the right places. When folded, the loop panels 5 are flattened, as well as the nose 1 and tail 8 piece. All of these features help to create a small and compact package.

Claims

1. An extendable and adjustable loop structure for the protection of nose, rail, and tail sections of a surfboard or any other kind of sports-surfboard. A loop structure that allows extensions in length as well as adjustments in width and thickness, regarding all possible combinations of surfboard dimensions. The realization of extending functions through elastic bands. The realization of adjusting functions through strategically designed patterns of stitches, creating folds, bends, and angles.

2. A construction of polyethylene foam covered with fabric, or any other combination of materials comprising fabric which may be waterproof or not, polyethylene foam and elastic band. Other materials may be used, selected from the group comprising EVA-foam, Biofoam, Rubber, Neoprene, Polyester, all parachuting materials, elastic bands or chords.

3. The construction of claim 2, wherein different parts are formed with patterns of stitches, comprising the following:

- A rail strip: two separated stitching patterns contouring the surfboard rails throughout selected or all parts of the loop and following the thickness of the surfboard rails.

- Loop panels: the areas beside the rail strip, that bend on the stitched patterns, embracing and gripping the surfboard.

- A nose section that forms the tip of the assembled loop. A pattern of stitches joining together parts of the nose piece to realize an adjustment to different nose shapes and various sizes of nose perimeters.

- Two Rail sections that are partitioned by stitching patterns. Cut outs on the rail sections' loop panels, which are joined together with another stitching pattern, realizing a curvature of the rails. An inner curvature and circumference of the loop, following and adjusting to the outline of the surfboard with a stitching pattern joining together the loop panels' edges and pulling the loop panels onto the surfboard-deck.

- A bottom rail part which runs along the tail parts, with both of these parts overlapping each other. An elastic band, attached with a stitching pattern to the rail section above the overlapping part, allowing for the loop's extension in length. A configuration of the elastic band, so that when extended a portion of the rail parts and tail parts overlap to avoid creating gaps. - A tail section comprised of a base part in the middle and two side parts with attached elastic bands. A rail strip on the tail section, embracing the bottom surfboard-rail as well as the bottom rail section of the loop.

- A tail section that, through stitching patterns, can adjust to different tail shapes and cover various sizes of tail perimeters. An adjustment to different tail shapes that is realized by patterns of stitches next to the tail base part.

4. The loop's structure of claim 3, wherein an extension to various lengths is realized by elastic bands running along the rails and tail sections. An extension of up to 20 inches in length within any selected surfboard range.

5. The loop's structure of claim 3, wherein an adjustment to various shapes and perimeter sizes is realized through the materials of claim 2, which move with the shape of the surfboard.

6. The loop's structure of claim 3, constructed to be assembled from top to bottom. First, the loop's nose section is placed around the surfboard nose. Second, the surfboard rails are covered by the loop's rail sections and possibly the extension. Third, the loop's tail section is pulled back and placed around the surfboard tail. Fourth, the close fit of the loop is adjusted and possibly a string or Velcro piece is pulled to tighten the grip.

7. The loop's structure of claim 3, packaged by folding the construction along the rails' partitioning stitching patterns.

The loop's structure of claim 3, packaged by folding the structure flat together.

The loop's structure of claim 3, packaged by rolling the structure.

8. The loop's structure of claim 3, with a sown-in packaging-pouch that may be attached to any part of the loop, to wrap the folded product.

9. The loop's structure of claim 3, with a string or elastic cord running along the edges of selected loop panels or the entire inner circumference of the loop for a better fit.

16. The loop's structure of claim 3, with Velcro pieces added to the nose and/or tail section to adjust those areas to fit the surfboard.

17. The loop's structure of claim 3, wherein extensions of length are realized with elastic bands in the nose section and/or on the rail sections.

18. All applications of functional or design patterns of stitches to achieve the structure and system of a protective surfboard loop.