PADDLEBOARD

• US 20130017743A1
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Green, Danny, Van Nimwegen, Edward G., Niemier, Tim, Bennett, Joel H., Bennett, John, Astle, Robert, Steed, Brent R., Olsen, Eric M., Todd, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 9,067,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 441/79
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 13/00 Conduits for emptying or ballasting; Self-bailing equipment; Scuppers draining means for hatches B63B19/26; centrifugal bilge-water separators B04; arrangements of installations for treating ballast water B63J4/002; pipes in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/40 Twintip boards; Wakeboards; Surfboards; Windsurfing boards; Paddle boards, e.g. SUP boards; Accessories specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/50 Boards characterised by their constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/57 Boards characterised by the material, e.g. laminated materials
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/59 Boards characterised by their manufacturing process, e.g. moulded or 3D printed
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/64 Adjustable, e.g. by adding sections, by removing sections or by changing orientation or profile
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/66 Arrangements for fixation to the board, e.g. fin boxes or foil boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/20 Canoes, kayaks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/26 Accessories for canoes, kayaks or the like effecting propulsion by muscle power B63H16/00; outboard propulsion units B63H20/00

Abstract

In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.

Claims

1. A board suitable for use in water sports and comprising:

a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions, wherein in the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.

2. The board as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractable fin is substantially made of a buoyant polymer.

3. The board as recited in claim 1, further comprising an additional retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions.

4. The board as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractable fin is configured to rotate between the extended and retracted positions.

5. The board as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes an integral molded element that cooperates with corresponding structure of the retractable fin to aid in releasable retention of the retractable fin in a desired position.

6. The board as recited in claim 1, wherein the position of the retractable fin is adjustable from the upper surface of the board.

7. The board as recited in claim 1, wherein the body includes an element that cooperates with corresponding structure of the retractable fin to constrain lateral movement of the retractable fin.

8. board as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractable fin includes a pair of pins that cooperate with corresponding structure of the body to:

releasably retain the retractable fin in the extended position; and

releasably retain the retractable fin in the retracted position.

9. The board as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle.

10. A board suitable for use in water sports and comprising:

a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining a deck, and the lower surface defining two longitudinal grooves that extend along a substantial portion of a length of the body; and

a retractable fin rotatably connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions, wherein in the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.

11. The board as recited in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of tack-offs.

12. The board as recited in claim 11, wherein one of the tack-offs includes one or more grip ridges.

13. The board as recited in claim 10, wherein the upper surface of the body defines a plurality of drainage grooves.

14. The board as recited in claim 10, wherein the retractable fin is permanently attached to the board.

15. The board as recited in claim 10, wherein a portion of the deck is recessed.

16. A board suitable for use in water sports and comprising:

a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining a deck, and the lower surface defining two longitudinal grooves that each extend along a substantial portion of a length of the body, each of the longitudinal grooves including one or more tack-offs; and

a retractable fin rotatably connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions, wherein in the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.

17. The board as recited in claim 16, wherein a portion of the deck is recessed and covered with a deck covering.

18. The board as recited in claim 16, wherein the retractable fin is operable by a user from the upper surface of the body.

19. The board as recited in claim 16, wherein the body substantially comprises an integrally formed piece of plastic.

20. The board as recited in claim 16, wherein the board comprises a paddleboard.