Novel wing arrangement

Abstract

A water sports device for supporting a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered water craft, the device including an elongated board having a front end and a back end to which is secured a seat for supporting the buttocks of the rider in a position spaced from and roughly centered above the back one-third of the board, a holder for securing the feet of the rider over the top of the board secured to the board spaced at least about two feet toward the front end of the board from the seat. An elongated hydrofoil extends downward from the board and front and rear planing blades carried by an arm which is generally parallel to the board. The arm is secured to the hydrofoil and spaced from the board, so that the blades are generally parallel to the board. The planing blades provide essentially no lift when the board is horizontal, The improvement resides in the front planing blade being carried lower on the arm than the rear planing blade such that the flow of water over the front planing blade produces less turbulence over the rear planing blade. In a water sports device for supporting a standing human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered water craft, the device including an elongated board having a front end and a back end, an elongated hydrofoil extends downward from the board, front and rear planing blades carried by an arm which is generally parallel to the board, said arm being secured to the hydrofoil and spaced from the board, so that the blades are generally parallel to the board, the planing blades provide essentially no lift when the board is horizontal, the improvement wherein the front planing blade is carried lower on said arm than the rear planing blade such that the flow of water over the front planing blade produces less turbulence over the rear planing blade.

Description

[0001] This patent claims the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 524,363, filed Nov. 24, 2003. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,354, 5,249,998, 6,179,676 B1, 6,551,158 B2, 6,234,856 and 6,443,786 disclose water sport devices for supporting a seated human rider while the rider and the device are towed behind a powered water craft. The devices include an elongated board to which a seat and foot holders are secured. An elongate strut in the shape of a hydrofoil projects downwardly from the board. The lower end of the strut carries an arm which is generally parallel to the board. Front and rear planing blades are carried by the arm. The positioning of the rigidly mounted seat and the planing blades, the use of a single vertical strut, the size of the planing blade and the positioning of the foot holders provides a water sports device which is relatively easy to ride, while at the same time being highly maneuverable and capable of high jumps...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] the improvement wherein the front planing blade is carried lower on said arm than the rear planing blade such that the flow of water over the front planing blade produces less turbulence over the rear planing blade.

[0007] the improvement wherein the front planing blade is carried lower on said arm than the rear planing blade such that the flow of water over the front planing blade produces less turbulence over the rear planing blade.

[0010] The first embodiment reduces the impact and stress on the bolts used to hold the wing to arm and the front wing is more firmly attached to the arm when impacting the water due to the pressure now pushing the wing into the arm. The result is a stronger product with less flex from left to right. There is also a larger wing surface to the bottom of the wing due to the lack of the width of the arm being in the way and displacing water out to the side of the blade. The result is a larger planing surface and a stronger planing surface. The higher rear wing allows the board to switch its angle of attack needed in jumping the towable hydrofoil as the strut displaces and cuts through the water resulting in less resistance or drag on the rear wing. When the water hits the strut there is less resistance than when it hits the entire flat surface of the wing. The previous designs did not take this into consideration and resulted in a slower reacting hydrofoil and weaker components.

Problems solved by technology

This results in unwanted water turbulence over the rear planing blade.

Images