Traction pad with integrated kicktail and ramp

Abstract

It enhances the feeling of unity with the surfboard and reduces the possibility of slipping or falling while surfing. [Solution] The present invention relates to an existing traction pad for surfboards which comprises a front pad and a kicktail. The present invention relates to a traction pad comprising a front pad and a kicktail, wherein the kicktail has a ramp designed for a surfer to stand on, and the ramp is inclined to allow the surfer to bend their rear leg forward and place the sole of their rear foot flat on the ramp away from the deck of the surfboard, thereby achieving an optimal angle for surfing with little or no bending of the ankle. The ramp is sized to adequately support the surfer's foot when performing surfing movements and is further optionally configured to include a raised section for arch support for the surfer's rear foot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traction pad attached to a surfboard.

Background Art

[0002] The upper surface part of a surfboard is called the "deck". The part where the fin is placed at the rear end of the surfboard is called the "tail". To prevent the surfboard from being washed away after a wipeout, a surfer wears a leash attached to the ankle of the back foot. This leash is fixed to a small plug provided near the center of the deck of the surfboard via a metal pin, and one end thereof is connected.

[0003] Many surfers prefer to attach a traction pad to the deck of the surfboard, especially near the tail, and surf while enhancing the gripping force by the back foot. The surfboard may be configured to include a traction pad (hereinafter referred to as the "traction pad") consisting of a front pad and a kick tail, which are formed of EVA foam or other suitable materials, and the surface thereof is processed so that the surfer's foot can grip without slipping.

[0004] A normal traction pad has a notch at the rear part of the kick tail and is designed to be placed as far back as possible while avoiding the leash plug.

[0005] The kick tail is a raised portion provided at the rear end of the traction pad. In a typical traction pad, the main function of the kick tail is to help the surfer sensually grasp the rear end position of the board. A flat pad is provided adjacent to the front of the kick tail, which functions as a place for the surfer to place the back foot during surfing and forms a surface that provides traction and prevents slipping.

[0006] The sweet spot for performing powerful power curves and turns is directly above the kick tail of the traction pad. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-72791 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the kicktail of a typical traction pad is not wide enough or angled properly to support the surfer's entire foot, leaving surfers frustrated when trying to place their foot on the kicktail. Surfers trying to make sharp turns using maximum leverage must place part of their back foot on the kicktail and the other part outside of it, which is unnatural and often causes them to slip off the surfboard during the maneuver.

[0009] Furthermore, if a surfer attempts a power curve or turn with their back foot further forward, that is, on the flat part of the traction pad parallel to the surfboard's deck, the back leg naturally moves forward, forcing them to bend their ankle sharply. As a result, the outer edge of the back foot lifts off the surfboard, and contact with the surfboard is concentrated only on the inner edge. Such excessive ankle flexion not only causes injuries, but also significantly reduces the surfboard's controllability and leverage during turns, making turns more difficult and increasing the risk of falling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a traction pad formed from EVA foam or other suitable material and permanently attached to a surfboard with adhesive. The traction pad is equipped with a kicktail, the body of which is made of specially designed lightweight EVA foam or the like and has sufficient density to support the entire weight of the surfer's rear foot. The front of the kicktail is provided with a ramp (7) that is inclined in the range of 10 to 70 degrees (29), which is configured as a platform on which the surfer stands, allowing the surfer to bend their rear leg forward and place the sole of their rear foot flat on the ramp (7) while lifting it off the deck of the surfboard when performing surfing movements, thereby minimizing ankle flexion and achieving the optimal angle for surfing. The kicktail and ramp (7) are sized to adequately support the surfer's foot.

[0011] Furthermore, traction pad material (17) is fixed to the main body (16) and the top surface of the ramp with adhesive. This material has a raised portion for arch support (5) that is smaller than the ramp surface. By using it so that the surfer wraps their soles around the arch support portion, the feeling of unity with the surfboard is enhanced, reducing the possibility of slipping or falling while surfing.

[0012] The kicktail, a component of the traction pad in this invention, is not replaceable, but rather is configured to be permanently attached to the surfboard with adhesive. The front pad can be formed as a single component integrated with the kicktail, or in other embodiments, the kicktail and front pad can be configured as separate components. Furthermore, the traction pad may be configured with or without arch supports on the kicktail and front pad.

[0013] In surfing, some surfers prefer to bend their back leg far forward, while others bend it only slightly. To ensure that all surfers can find the optimal ramp angle to place their back foot flat on the kicktail ramp without bending their ankle when performing surfing maneuvers, the kicktail ramp portion of the present invention is set to an angle of 10 to 70 degrees.

[0014] The kicktail of this invention is unique in that it features a ramp, which is designed to allow surfers to perform surfing maneuvers while bending their front leg with their back foot flat. Conventional traction pads do not have kicktails with a ramp area or inclined platform intended for surfers to stand on, making it impossible for surfers to place their back foot flat on the front of the kicktail without bending their ankle and to obtain the optimal leg angle for surfing. Rather, conventional designs assume that surfers place their back foot on the flat part of the traction pad parallel to the deck of the surfboard, and when the back foot is placed as far back as possible, the outer edge of the back foot is pressed against the front of the kicktail to sense the position of the rear end of the board.

[0015] The fundamental difference between this invention and conventional traction pads is that while the kick tail of conventional traction pads functions as a heel stopper, the kick tail of this invention functions as a platform for the surfer to stand on. Furthermore, this invention includes a configuration in which a raised portion for arch support is provided on the ramp of the kick tail, and by using this raised portion to wrap the sole of the rear foot around it, the surfer can enhance the sense of unity with the surfboard and reduce the possibility of slipping or falling during surfing.

[0016] This allows surfers to apply strong force to the tail of their surfboard without slipping, significantly improving control during surfing compared to conventional EVA foam traction pads. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to bend the ankle significantly or not at all during turns, making surfing safer. Conventional traction pads are designed assuming the back foot is placed flat on the surfboard, which means they are prone to slipping when performing powerful turns that require bending the back leg to apply strong force to the tail of the surfboard, and they also have functional limitations that increase the risk of sprains and other injuries due to ankle flexion.

[0017] The traction pads disclosed herein are manufactured from EVA foam or other suitable materials, and may also be manufactured by injection molding.

[0018] The present invention relates to a traction pad designed to be attached to the tail end of a surfboard, the traction pad comprising a kicktail having a ramp on which the surfer stands. The ramp is sloped to allow the surfer to easily bend their rear leg forward when performing a surfing motion and to place the sole of their rear foot flat on the ramp, so that the surfer does not need to bend their ankle slightly or almost at all to obtain the optimal surfing angle. Furthermore, the ramp is large enough to adequately support the surfer's foot during a surfing motion and can optionally be configured with or without an arch support protrusion of any size and shape. By placing the sole of the surfer's foot on the arch support portion, the surfer can enhance their sense of unity with the surfboard and reduce the possibility of slipping or falling while surfing.

[0019] Furthermore, a front pad is provided adjacent to the front of the ramp, extending forward to the extent necessary for the surfer's rear foot, providing sufficient traction. The front pad may or may not have an arch support ridge of any size and shape, allowing the surfer to reinforce their connection with the surfboard by wrapping their foot around the arch support portion, reducing the possibility of slipping or falling. The front pad may be formed as a separate component independent of the kicktail, or as a single or multiple component integrated with the kicktail. The kicktail and front pad constituting the traction pad are manufactured from EVA foam or other suitable material that provides optimal rigidity and good grip during surfing.

[0020] By using the traction pad according to the present invention, surfers can firmly place their back foot on the ramp area, and because the inclination angle is optimized for surfing, they are less likely to slip or fall, and can enjoy more aggressive maneuvers. Unlike conventional traction pads, there is no need to bend the ankle to obtain the appropriate leverage or leg angle while surfing, or to unnaturally position the back foot to straddle a typical kicktail. By using the present invention, it is possible to tilt the back foot forward while positioning it flat on the ramp, and the arch support ridge on the ramp further enhances the sense of unity with the surfboard.

[0021] It should be noted that these embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific configurations described above, and other forms are also encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be evident from the claims described later. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, controllability during surfing is improved, and the risk of falling can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1]It is a plan view of a three-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp and a front pad. [Figure 2] It is a side view of a traction pad with and without arch support ridges on a lamp and a front pad. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of a one-piece (1-piece) integrated traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp and a front pad. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of a two-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp and a front pad. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of a four-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp and a front pad. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of a three-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a front pad. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of a three-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a three-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp. [Figure 9] It is a rear perspective view of a three-piece traction pad provided with arch support ridges on a lamp. [Figure 10] It is a rear perspective view of a three-piece traction pad without an arch support. [Figure 11] It is a rear perspective view of a center piece integrated with a kick tail. [Figure 12] It is a rear perspective view of a four-piece traction pad with an arch support. [Figure 13] It is a rear perspective view of a three-piece traction pad with a kick tail manufactured by injection molding and having an arch support. [Figure 14] It is a rear perspective view of a one-piece (1-piece) integrated traction pad manufactured by injection molding and provided with arch supports on a lamp and a front center pad. [Figure 15] The upper diagram shows a perspective view of a two-piece traction pad with arch support on the ramp and front center pad, while the lower diagram shows a perspective view of a two-piece traction pad without arch support on the ramp and front center pad. [Figure 16] The upper diagram shows a perspective view of a two-piece traction pad with arch support on the ramp and front center pad, while the lower diagram shows a perspective view of a two-piece traction pad without arch support on the ramp and front center pad. [Figure 17] The upper diagram shows a perspective view of an integrated traction pad (1 piece) with arch support at the front of the ramp and center pad, while the lower diagram shows a perspective view of an integrated traction pad (1 piece) without arch support at the front of the ramp and center pad. [Figure 18] The upper diagram shows a perspective view of an integrated traction pad (1 piece) with arch support at the front of the ramp and center pad, while the lower diagram shows a perspective view of an integrated traction pad (1 piece) without arch support at the front of the ramp and center pad. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Figures 1 to 18 show these embodiments.

[0025] Referring to Figure 1, a plan view of a three-part traction pad with arch support ridges on the ramp and front pad is shown. The kicktail and center piece are formed as a single unit 1. The front left pad 2 and front right pad 3 constitute the other two members. A ramp section 7 designed to support the surfer's feet and allow them to stand is shown. Ridges to support the arch of the surfer's foot are shown on 5 on the ramp and on the center front pad 4. The point where the inclined ramp merges with the flat section in front of the traction pad is indicated by solid lines where the left front piece 2 and right front piece 3 contact the front of the inclined ramp, and by dashed lines where the integrated center piece contacts the front of the ramp and the base 8. A leash pin notch 6 and the horizontal upper part 9 of the kicktail are shown at the rear of the traction pad.

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, side views of the traction pad are shown with and without arch support ridges on the ramp and front pad. The upper figure shows a traction pad with arch support ridges on the ramp 5 and front pad. The kick tail 12 and ramp 7 for the surfer to stand on are shown. The ramp section 7 and the ridges on ramp 5 and the center front pad 4 are shown. The part where the inclined ramp merges with the flat section in front of the traction pad is indicated by solid lines where the left 2 and right 3 front pieces touch the front of the inclined ramp, and by dashed lines where the integrated center piece touches the front base 8 of the ramp. The leash pin notch 6 and the horizontal upper part 9 of the kick tail are shown at the rear. The lower figure shows a kick tail that does not have flat sections on the rear and top surfaces, but instead has an acute-angled edge 13 and does not have arch support ridges.

[0027] Referring to Figure 3, a plan view of an integrated (one-piece) traction pad with arch support ridges on the ramp and front pad is shown. The kick tail and center piece are formed as a single unit 1, with the front left pad 2 and front right pad 3 forming the other parts. The ramp section 7 is shown, with arch support ridges positioned on the ramp 5 and the center front pad 4. The point where the inclined ramp and the front flat section meet is indicated by a dashed line, showing that the integrated center piece contacts the front and base section 8. The leash pin notch 6 and the horizontal upper part of the kick tail 9 are shown at the rear.

[0028] Referring to Figure 4, a plan view of a two-part traction pad with arch support ridges on the ramp and front pad is shown. The kick tail and center piece constitute a single unit 1, and the front left 2 and right 3 constitute the other two parts. The ramp section 7 is shown, and the arch support ridges on the ramp 5 and center front pad 4 are shown. Where the inclined ramp merges with the planar section of the traction pad, the part where the center piece contacts the ramp base 8 is shown with a solid line, and the parts where the left 2 and right 3 front pieces contact the base 8 are shown with dashed lines. The leash pin notch 6 and horizontal upper section 9 are shown at the rear.

[0029] Referring to Figure 5, a plan view of the four-part traction pad is shown. The components are the kick tail 12, front center pad 14, front left 2, and front right 3. The ramp section 7, and the arch support protrusions of the ramp 5 and center front pad 4 are shown. The junction of the inclined ramp and the planar section is enclosed by the front pieces 14, left 2, and right 3 and is shown with a solid line. The leash pin notch 6 and the horizontal upper section 9 are shown at the rear.

[0030] Referring to Figure 6, a plan view of a three-part traction pad with arch support ridges on the front pad is shown. The kicktail and center piece are formed as a single unit 1, with the front left pad 2 and front right pad 3 forming the other two parts. A ramp section 7 designed to support the surfer's feet and allow them to stand is shown. Ridges to support the arch of the surfer's foot are provided on the ramp top 5 and the center front pad 4. Where the inclined ramp meets the flat front section of the traction pad, the parts where the left 2 and right 3 front pieces contact the front of the inclined ramp are shown with solid lines, and the part where the integrated center piece contacts the ramp base 8 is shown with dashed lines. A leash pin notch 6 and a horizontal upper section 9 are located at the rear end of the kicktail.

[0031] Referring to Figure 7, a plan view of a three-part traction pad with arch support bumps on the ramp is shown. The kicktail and center piece constitute a single unit 1, while the front left pad 2 and front right pad 3 constitute the other two parts. The ramp section 7, designed to support the surfer's feet and allow them to stand, is shown. Bumps to support the arch of the surfer's foot are provided on the ramp 5 and the center front pad 4. Where the inclined ramp and the flat front section meet, the parts where the left 2 and right 3 front pieces contact the front of the inclined ramp are shown with solid lines, and the part where the integrated center piece contacts the ramp base 8 is shown with dashed lines. A leash pin notch 6 and a horizontal upper section 9 are located at the rear end of the kicktail.

[0032] Referring to Figure 8, the upper diagram shows a traction pad comprising a kicktail base (16), traction pad material (17), and a ramp (7). The ramp (7) is designed with a slope that allows the surfer to place their rear foot flat and obtain the optimal angle for performing powerful turns without requiring little to no ankle bending. A perspective view is also shown, comprising an integrated center piece (1) and separate front left pads (2) and right pads (3), with arch support ridges provided on the ramp (5) and front center pads (1,4).

[0033] The kicktail comprises a body (16), which is formed by injection molding or by laminating and bonding EVA foam to a desired height and then cutting it to a predetermined size. An EVA foam traction pad material (17) is then fixed to it with adhesive. The thickness of this material is arbitrary, but is usually about 4 mm, and it has a surface that allows the surfer's rear foot to easily grip. The EVA foam traction pad material (17) extends from the kicktail onto the surfboard deck in front, providing sufficient traction when surfing with the rear foot parallel to the deck. In this embodiment, the EVA foam material is divided into three parts: center, left, and right, with the center piece being integrated with the material fixed to the kicktail. The traction pad material is attached to the kicktail with adhesive, and the underside of the kicktail and each traction pad piece is further fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive. The surface of the traction material may have a pattern of protrusions, which further improves the grip of the surfer's rear foot.

[0034] A ramp (7) is provided at the front of the kicktail, designed to allow the surfer to stand on it. The ramp (7) is sized to provide ample support for the surfer's feet during surfing, enabling them to achieve the optimal surfing angle with their back foot flat and their ankle slightly or not bent at all.

[0035] The traction pad of this embodiment is configured to provide arch support in the ramp (5) and the front center traction pad area (4), allowing the surfer to wrap their rear foot around these raised areas to gain additional grip on the surfboard. These raised areas can be formed to any size and shape, and can be triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular as shown herein.

[0036] All existing traction pads do not feature a kicktail designed for surfers to "stand" on. The function of a traditional kicktail is to provide a marker for surfers to intuitively sense the position of the rear end of the board. Therefore, traditional designs assume that the rear foot is positioned on the flat part of the traction pad parallel to the surfboard deck. However, when performing sharp curves or turns, the rear leg naturally tilts forward, causing the outer edge of the rear foot to come off the board, concentrating contact with the board only on the inner edge and making it easier to slip. Surfers try to maintain their entire rear foot by bending their ankle as much as possible to avoid falling, but it is impossible to keep the sole of the foot completely flat during sharp turns. As a result, the connection with the surfboard becomes insufficient, and there is a risk of further ankle injury.

[0037] The present invention solves all these problems by configuring a kicktail with a ramp (7) that is inclined at an optimal angle (29) for surfing. This allows the surfer to place their back foot flat on the ramp (7) and achieve the optimal angle for making powerful turns with minimal ankle flexion.

[0038] While many existing traction pads have arch support in the center front area, none have arch support on the kicktail itself. Providing a raised section on the front of the kicktail to support the arch of the surfer's rear foot is a unique feature of this invention.

[0039] Existing traction pads have kicktails that are not tall enough and wide enough to properly support a surfer's rear foot. The optimal position for placing the rear foot when performing powerful curves and turns is at the rear of the surfboard, directly above where the conventional traction pad kicktail is located. The conventional workaround devised by surfers was to straddle the inadequately sized kicktail and let part of their rear foot hang over it. This invention completely solves this problem by providing a ramp (7) that is large enough to adequately support the surfer's rear foot and positioning it in the optimal location for powerful turns. By placing the rear foot flat on the ramp (7) and tilting it at the optimal angle for surfing, the surfer can apply tremendous force to the tail of the surfboard without falling over.

[0040] The lower part of Figure 8 shows a perspective front view comprising a kicktail base (16), a traction pad material (17) fixed thereon, a ramp (7) that provides the optimal angle for powerful turns with the rear foot placed flat and the ankle bent little to no, and an integrated center piece (1), and separate front left pads (2) and front right pads (3). In this embodiment, the ramp (7) and the center traction pad area (1) do not have arch support. This is because some surfers prefer arch support for their rear foot, while others do not.

[0041] Referring to Figure 9, a rearward perspective view of a three-part traction pad with arch support ridges on the ramp and front pad is shown. The kicktail and center piece form a single unit (1), while the front left pad (2) and front right pad (3) form the other two parts. A ramp section (7) designed to support the surfer's feet and allow them to stand on it is shown. Arch support ridges for supporting the surfer's feet are provided on the ramp (5) and center front pad (4). The joint between the inclined ramp and the flat front section is shown with solid lines where the left (2) and right (3) front pieces contact the front of the inclined ramp, and no line is drawn where the center piece contacts the bottom of the inclined ramp (8) because the front of the ramp and the center piece are integrated and not separated. The leash pin notch (6) and the horizontal upper part (9) of the kicktail are shown at the rear.

[0042] Referring to Figure 10, a rearward perspective view of a three-part traction pad without arch support protrusions on the ramp and front pads is shown. The kicktail and center piece form a single integrated component (1), while the front left pad (2) and front right pad (3) form the other two parts. A ramp section (7) designed to support the surfer's feet and allow them to stand on it is shown. Arch support protrusions for supporting the surfer's feet are not located on the ramp (5) and center front pad (4). Where the inclined ramp and flat front section meet, the parts where the front left (2) and right (3) front pads meet the front of the inclined ramp are shown with solid lines, while where the center piece meets the front / base (8) of the inclined ramp, no lines are shown because the ramp front and center piece are integrally formed. Also shown at the rear are a leash pin notch (6) and the horizontal upper end (9) of the kicktail.

[0043] Referring to Figure 11, the kick tail base (16) and the traction pad material (17) positioned above it are shown, which is integrated with the traction pad material of the center piece. This configuration is advantageous when surfers want the feel of the material on the kick tail ramp to match the feel of the material on the front center piece.

[0044] The ramp (7) is shown to be designed to allow the surfer to place their back foot flat and achieve the optimal angle for making powerful turns with little to no ankle flexion. Additionally, a notch (6) is shown at the rear end of the kicktail to allow the kicktail to be positioned further back so that the leash cord can be attached without covering the leash plug.

[0045] Referring to Figure 12, a traction pad is shown comprising a kicktail base (16) and a traction pad material (19) positioned thereon. Here, the traction pad material (19) is separate from the traction pad materials that make up the front left piece (2), the front right piece (3), and the center piece (18). The ramp (7) is shown to be designed so that the surfer can place their back foot flat on the ramp and obtain the optimal angle for making powerful turns with minimal ankle flexion. Additionally, the ramp (5) and the front center pads (1,4) are provided with arch support ridges.

[0046] The kicktail constitutes the main body (16), which can be manufactured by injection molding or by laminating and bonding EVA foam to a desired height and cutting it to predetermined dimensions. Furthermore, a layer of traction pad material (19) is fixed to the main body (16) by adhesive. The thickness of this layer is arbitrary, but is usually about 4 mm, and has a surface that allows the surfer's rear foot to easily grip it.

[0047] The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in Figure 8 is that the traction material (19) attached to the kicktail is not integrated with the materials of the separate front center piece (18), front left pad (2), and front right pad (3). This makes it possible to use different materials for the kicktail and front sections. This is advantageous when surfers require traction materials with different grip levels for the kicktail and front sections.

[0048] Furthermore, the kicktail and the underside of each traction pad piece are attached to the surfboard deck with adhesive. The surface of the traction material often has a protruding pattern, which provides the surfer's rear foot with even better grip. The front of the kicktail is configured as a ramp (7), designed to provide ample support for the rear foot when the surfer stands on it, allowing them to maintain an optimal surfing posture with little to no ankle bending.

[0049] The traction pad of this embodiment is equipped with arch support protrusions in the ramp (5) and the front center traction pad area (4), and when used by a surfer wrapping their rear foot around these protrusions, additional grip on the surfboard can be obtained. The protrusions can be formed in any size and shape, and may be triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular as shown herein.

[0050] All existing traction pads do not feature a kicktail designed for the surfer to stand on. In conventional configurations, the role of the kicktail is to provide the surfer with a sensory indication of the position of the rear end of the surfboard. This design requires the surfer to place their back foot on the traction pad surface parallel to the deck of the surfboard while surfing. When performing powerful curves and turns while surfing, the back leg naturally moves forward, resulting in the outer edge of the surfer's back foot coming off the surfboard, and contact concentrating only on the inner edge of the back foot, making it easy to slip off. Surfers try to bend their ankles as much as possible to keep their back foot flat and prevent slipping off, but it is impossible to keep the sole of the foot completely flat during sharp turns. As a result, the connection with the surfboard becomes insufficient, increasing the risk of ankle injury. This invention solves these problems by providing a kicktail with a ramp (7) that is inclined at an optimal angle for surfing movements. The surfer can place their back foot flat on the ramp (7), achieve the optimal angle with minimal ankle bending, and perform powerful turns.

[0051] While many existing traction pads have arch support in the center front area, none have arch support on the kicktail itself. Providing arch support on the front of the kicktail for the surfer's rear foot is a unique feature of this invention.

[0052] Existing traction pads have kicktails that are not tall enough and wide enough to properly support a surfer's rear foot. The optimal position for a surfer's rear foot when performing powerful curves and turns is where the kicktail of conventional traction pads is located, i.e., directly above the rear end of the surfboard. The incomplete solution devised by conventional surfers was to straddle a small kicktail and let the rear foot hang out from its end. This invention completely solves this problem by providing a ramp (7) that is large enough to adequately support the surfer's rear foot and positioning it optimally for performing powerful turns. By placing the rear foot flat on the ramp (7) and optimizing the angle, the surfer will not fall over even when applying great force to the tail of the surfboard.

[0053] Referring to Figure 13, a traction pad with an independent kicktail manufactured by injection molding is shown. In this configuration, the traction surface on the kicktail and the arch support ridge (5) on the ramp are integrally formed with the kicktail body. Meanwhile, the front left piece (2), the front right piece (3), and the center piece (18) are formed from EVA foam.

[0054] Referring to Figure 14, a one-piece traction pad manufactured by injection molding is shown. In this configuration, the kicktail, front pad, traction surface on the kicktail, arch support ridge (5) on the ramp, and front part (4) of the traction pad are integrally molded. The underside of the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive.

[0055] Referring to Figure 15, the upper figure shows a two-part traction pad (24). This configuration includes a kicktail body (16) with a ramp (7) and a traction pad material (17) bonded to its upper surface, the material extending forward to the left and right sides. The ramp (7) is provided with an arch support protrusion (5) to support the surfer's foot. Although this protrusion is shown as a rectangle, it can be any size or shape, such as a triangle, trapezoid, or rectangle. By using it by wrapping the arch support protrusion with the sole of the surfer's foot, the surfer can enhance the connection with the surfboard and minimize the possibility of slipping or falling. The center pad in this embodiment may also be configured to include an arch support protrusion (4). The lower figure shows a two-part traction pad with the same configuration as the upper figure, but without the arch support protrusion. In either configuration, the lower surface of the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive.

[0056] Referring to Figure 16, the upper figure shows a two-part traction pad. This configuration includes a kicktail body (16) with a ramp (7) and a traction pad material (17) bonded to its upper surface, the material extending forward to the bottom of the kicktail. The ramp (7) is provided with an arch support ridge (5), shown as a rectangle, but this ridge can be of any size and shape, such as a triangle, trapezoid, or rectangle, allowing the surfer to wrap their feet around it to enhance the connection with the surfboard and reduce the possibility of slipping or falling. In this embodiment, an additional front pad (25) is included, which can also optionally be configured to include an arch support ridge (4). The lower figure shows a two-part traction pad with the same configuration, but without the arch support ridge. In either configuration, the lower surface of the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive.

[0057] Referring to Figure 17, the upper figure shows a one-piece traction pad. This traction pad includes a kicktail body (16) with a ramp (7) for supporting the rear foot, and a traction pad material (17) bonded to its upper surface, the material (17) covering the ramp and extending to the front pad section. The ramp (7) is provided with an arch support ridge (5) shown as a rectangle, but this ridge can be formed into any shape (triangle, trapezoid, rectangle), and surfers can use it by wrapping their rear foot around it to improve the connection with the surfboard and reduce the possibility of slipping or falling. The lower figure shows a one-piece traction pad with the same configuration as the upper figure, but without the arch support ridge. In either configuration, the lower surface of the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive.

[0058] Referring to Figure 18, the upper figure shows a one-piece traction pad (28). This configuration includes a kicktail with a ramp (7) and a traction pad material bonded to its upper surface, with the material covering the ramp and extending to the front pad section. The ramp (7) is provided with a rectangular arch support ridge (5), but can be configured in any size and shape, such as triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular. The surfer can wrap their foot around this ridge, increasing the sense of unity with the surfboard and minimizing the possibility of slipping or falling. The lower figure shows a one-piece traction pad (28) with the same configuration as the upper figure but without the arch support ridge. In both configurations, the underside of the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard deck with adhesive. Furthermore, its surface is textured to optimize rear foot grip during surfing. Each embodiment of the traction pad shown in Figure 18 is manufactured by injection molding.

[0059] When traction pads are manufactured by injection molding, the materials used have sufficient grip and traction, allowing surfers to stand on them without slipping while surfing. Furthermore, it has the advantage of being manufactured at a lower cost compared to manufacturing methods using EVA foam. The traction pad (22) manufactured by injection molding functions similarly to the EVA foam traction pad shown in Figure 8, providing surfers with equivalent practical benefits. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1…The central front section of the three-part traction pad, where the front traction pad material is integrated with the traction material bonded to the kicktail. 2…Independent front left section of the three-part traction pad 3…Independent front right section of the three-part traction pad 4…Rising section for arch support on the front pad 5…Rising section for arch support on the ramp 6…Notch for leash plug 7…The part of the ramp where surfers stand, which supports the back foot. 8…Front and bottom of the lamp 9… Flat part at the top of the lamp 10…Traction pad material 11…Front end of traction pad (22) 12…Kicktail (including the main body and the traction pad surface fixed thereon with adhesive) 13... The sloping part at the top of the lamp 14…Independent front center pad 15…Center traction pad section integrated with the kick tail 16... Kicktail main body 17…Traction pad material fixed to the kicktail body with adhesive. 18…Independent front pad center piece 19…Independent kick tail traction pad material 20...One-piece molded kick tail body 21...Ramp arch support formed as part of the integrated kick tail 22... A number that refers to the present invention in any configuration. 23...Integrated traction pad including kick tail and integrated front center traction pad 24...A two-piece traction pad, specifically the left front side, where the left and right front traction pad materials are integrated with the traction material bonded to the kicktail. 25...Integrated front pad, separate from the kicktail. 26…Integrated traction pad material 27…A two-piece traction pad, specifically the front right side, where the traction pad material for both the left and right front sections is integrated with the traction material bonded to the kicktail. 28…An integrated traction pad with a top surface configured to provide the surfer's rear foot with optimal grip while surfing. 29... A number indicating that the lamp can be set to any angle.

Claims

1. A traction pad (22) permanently attached to a surfboard, comprising a kicktail (12) and a front pad, wherein the kicktail has a main body (16) made of specially designed lightweight EVA foam, the main body having sufficient density to support the entire weight of the surfer's foot, and the front of the kicktail has a ramp (7) that slopes in the range of 10 to 70 degrees (29), the ramp being designed as a platform for the surfer to stand on, and is configured to allow the surfer to bend their rear leg forward when performing surfing movements, and to obtain an optimal angle with little or no bending of the ankle by lifting the sole of the rear foot off the deck of the surfboard and placing it flat on the platform (7), the kicktail and platform (7) being large enough to adequately support the surfer's foot, and furthermore, a traction pad material (17) is fixed to the upper surface of the main body (16) and platform by adhesive, the traction pad material being smaller than the surface of the ramp A traction pad characterized by having a raised portion for a formed arch support (5), which is positioned so that the surfer can wrap their soles around the arch support portion to enhance the sense of unity with the surfboard and minimize the possibility of slipping or falling while surfing, the kick tail also being connected to a front pad (2, 3, 25) made of traction pad material, the front pad being integrated with the traction pad material on the ramp and platform of the kick tail, the traction pad being formed as a single component or as multiple components (1, 2, 3, 24, 26, 27), in either configuration being manufactured by cutting, laminating and bonding EVA foam or other material having suitable traction, strength, lightness and flexibility for the surfer to stand on while surfing, or by injection molding using a material having suitable traction, strength, lightness and flexibility, and the traction pad being permanently attached to the tail end of the surfboard by adhesive applied to its underside.

2. The traction pad (22, 28) described in claim 1 is unique in that it is the first traction pad designed for surfers to surf with their rear foot on a platform formed by a ramp inclined in the range of 10 to 70 degrees (7) formed on the front of the main body (16) of the kicktail (12), rather than on the deck of the surfboard. While all conventional patented traction pads are designed for surfers to stand on the deck of the surfboard and use the kicktail to act as a heel stopper, the present invention is a traction pad characterized by a main body (16) made of high-density EVA foam with sufficient strength to support the surfer's entire weight so that the surfer does not need to bend their ankle much or at all when placing their rear foot flat on the ramp (7, 29) and performing surfing movements, and to obtain the optimal angle for bending the rear leg forward, and further characterized in that the ramp (7) is large enough to adequately support the surfer's foot when performing surfing movements and is integrally incorporated with the traction pad and surfboard and permanently fixed.

3. The traction pad according to claim 1 is unique in that it comprises the first permanently attached kicktail (12) made of EVA foam, which is integrated into the design of the traction pad, the kicktail having a ramp (7) to form a platform for the surfer to stand on, and further comprising a raised portion for arch support (5) on the platform, which is smaller than the surface of the platform, and is configured such that the surfer can use the arch support portion by wrapping their soles around it to enhance the sense of unity with the surfboard and reduce the possibility of slipping or falling while performing surfing movements. The novelty of providing arch support on the kicktail (12) lies in the fact that while all conventional traction pad designs assume that the surfer places their rear foot on the deck of the surfboard and uses the kicktail as a heel stopper, the present invention is designed assuming that the surfer places their rear foot off the deck of the surfboard and surfs on a platform, thus requiring arch support on the platform.

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