Hydrodynamic ridge devices for small watercraft

• US 7,524,225 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher Kevin Coyle, Randal Robert Richenberg
• Original Assignee: Christopher Kevin Coyle, Randal Robert Richenberg
• Inventors: Richenberg, Randal Robert, Coyle, Christopher Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A
• Application Number:
  US11/602,424
• Time in Patent Office: 891 Days
• Field of Search: 441/65, 441/74, 441/79
• US Class Current: 441/74
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/60 Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards

Abstract

Hydrodynamic ridge devices for mounting in pairs on the bottom of aquatic sports watercraft to form channels that capture lateral water flow and direct it longitudinally to enhance stability, speed, control, and performance of the watercraft. Each ridge device is a longitudinal body with a short flat vertical side, a wide flat top side extending horizontally from the top of the vertical side perpendicular thereto terminating in a convex generally arcuate outer edge, and a convex curved bottom side. The vertical side has an arcuate bottom edge that curves upwardly to a point at each end. The outer edge of the top side curves inwardly at each end to the points at the ends of the vertical side, and the curved bottom side curves upwardly and outwardly from the bottom of the vertical side to join the outer edge of the top side and the vertical side end points.

Claims

1. At least one pair of hydrodynamic ridge devices for attachment to the bottom surface of an existing surfboard, to channel lateral water flow and direct it longitudinally along the underside of the surfboard to provide beneficial hydrodynamic effects, stability, speed, control, and performance of the surfboard, each hydrodynamic ridge device comprising:

an elongate longitudinal body having a short flat vertical side, a wide flat top side extending horizontally from a top edge of said vertical side generally perpendicular thereto terminating in a convex generally arcuate outer edge, and a convex curved bottom surface extending between a bottom edge of said vertical side and said arcuate outer edge of said top side;

said bottom edge of said short vertical side being an arcuate bottom edge that curves upwardly to a point at each end, said convex arcuate outer edge of said top surface curving inwardly at each end to join a respective said point at each end of said vertical side, and said convex curved bottom surface curving upwardly and outwardly from said vertical side bottom edge to adjoin said top side arcuate outer edge and said respective point at each end of said vertical side;

said flat top side having a width greater than the height of said short vertical side;

said elongate longitudinal body having a generally triangular pie-shaped transverse cross sectional shape at its midsection defined by said vertical side, said top side, and said bottom side, and said elongate longitudinal body being thicker at its midsection and diminishing symmetrically in thickness along its width and length in a gradual curve toward each said respective point at each end of said vertical side; and

a layer of adhesive material on said flat top side covered by a protective backing layer to be peeled off for adhesively mounting said longitudinal body to the bottom surface of the existing surfboard in a generally aft region thereof.