Surfboard having a skin of reinforced fabric

Abstract

A fiberglass covered recreational board for surfing and other water sports having increased strength and rigidity provided by a longitudinal, central band or bands of higher strength glass fibers such as S Glass and S-2 Glass, or by aramid fibers, or by quartz fibers that are woven into the fiberglass cover as warp threads.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to surfboards and similar recreational boards for water sports. More particularly, the present invention relates to high strength, lightweight, durable surfboards and to the construction of such surfboards. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The popularity of surfing and water sports in general has increased significantly in recent decades and includes not only the use of surfboards but also body boards, water skis, and wind-surfing craft. Because of the increased interest, the demand for improved construction has likewise increased. Accordingly, one general object of this invention is to make a lightweight and durable surfboard so that the rider will have a board that lasts longer and will enhance his performance on the waves. [0003] The first surfboards, it is believed, were originated by Polynesians and were made of wood from trees found on their islands. They were carved and shaped by hand and stained and finished with natural...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention is a surfboard or similar recreational board for surfing and other water sports which comprises an elongated, shaped core, said core having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a longitudinal axis; a skin or skin layers completely covering said core, at least one skin layer comprising a woven fiberglass fabric having a multiplicity of reinforcing strands woven into said fabric and extending the length of said board parallel to the longitudinal axis, said strands increasing the rigidity and strength of said board. The core of said board is preferably a foamed polymer which may be polyurethane or polystyrene. The core may be of a honeycomb polymeric construction or a light weight metal honeycomb such as aluminum; or, it may be wood, a wood laminate, or foam and wood composite. The skin is preferably adhered to the core with a polymeric resin, the bottom of the core having at least one skin layer and the top or deck having at least one of the reinforced skin layers and preferably a plurality of such layers.

Problems solved by technology

However, foam cores alone did not possess enough material strength to maintain the structural integrity of the board for long periods of strenuous use and, consequently, the foam cores required additional structural support which, in some designs, was in the form of wooden stringers to provide the necessary strength for a successful board.

Unfortunately, this type of construction limited the number of designs that were sturdy enough.

In addition, foam surfboards generally did not last more than a season or two with frequent use.

One drawback was that an air bubble tended to form between the fiberglass and the foam thus destroying the structural integrity of the board.

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