Hydroplane sporting environment and devices and methods therefor

Abstract

A hydroplaning device for a rider to perform liquid sport athletic maneuvers, which comprises a support member having a height relative to the ground and a slope; a surface member disposed on the support member, wherein the surface member forms at least an angled surface and a catchment area. The device also comprises a liquid circulation system, having a liquid source, at least one feed line and at least one return line with the liquid source being in fluid communication with the at least one feed line and the at least one return line being in fluid communication with at least one of the liquid source and a disposal location. The device includes at least one liquid dispenser disposed adjacent to the support member or the surface member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 931,554, 60 / 932,418, and 60 / 932,863 filed on May 23, 2007, May 30, 2007 and Jun. 1, 2007 respectively, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties and to which priority is claimed.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]The present invention is related to the field of extreme action sports and more particularly hydroplaning water activity wherein a user or participant performs or executes extreme action sport maneuvers while skimming on a liquid and the equipment used therein.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]In the world of action or “extreme” sports, as featured in the Olympics, Winter X-Games, Summer X-Games, Gravity Games, Honda Ski Tour and AST Dew Action Sports Tour, athletes perform various tricks, stunts, maneuvers, and athletic abilities using various types of sporting equipment suc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Further, an objective of the present invention is to provide an environment for extreme action sport athletes and users to participate, practice and train year round in a continuous hydroplane environment.

[0027]The present invention still further provides a ski boot for in use in a water hydroplane environment, for locking into a ski binding, comprising: a shell member; an insert to removably fit inside the shell member; a toe end and a heel end, operably configured to engage the ski binding; wherein the shell member includes a plurality of orifices to reduce weight and when in use allow the drainage of the water.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional action or “extreme” sports lack the ability for users to perform action, big action, air, and substantially elevated air maneuvers on a surface with a continuous hydroplaning environment, and the equipment to perform these maneuvers.

Further, conventional sports, devices and methods fail to provide equipment and an environment where a user can perform substantially elevated air and big air action sport skimming maneuvers on board and ski skimming devices wherein an artificial skimming surface is continuously provided, such as performed in skateboarding, snowboarding, and snow skiing big air, quarter pipe, half-pipe, and slope style activity.

These conventional water slide devices fail to provide the proper substantially continuous hydroplane water environment for a user to perform action and big air maneuvers.

Further, these conventional water devices fail to provide appropriate equipment enabling a user to ride in a substantially upright position so as to be able to properly perform action sport maneuvers in a hydroplane environment.

None of these activities provide an artificial environment wherein a hydroplaning surface is substantially provided on a continuous basis on devices and with equipment that enable a user to perform action, substantially elevated air, and big air, grinding, and sliding maneuvers.

This conventional device fails to provide a substantially continuous hydroplane environment and equipment for users to perform action, substantially elevated air, and big air maneuvers.

The device disclosed by Lochtefeld fails to provide an environment wherein gravity is the primary force that propels the riders through the device while hydroplaning.

However, a lot of local athletes lack the funds to travel the world and conventional devices fail to provide the dynamic environment required to train for all the maneuvers required.

This type of amateur conventional activity fails to provide the required potential and kinetic energy required to execute extreme action sport maneuvers and substantially elevated air maneuvers on a hydroplane environment without the use of powered marine vessel or being pulled by a winch.

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