Traction pads

Abstract

A traction pad for a waterboard is provided, having a kick section and a deck section. [Solution] A traction pad for fixing to a waterboard has a contoured top surface, which includes raised portions that protrude from the contoured surface by a projection height, some of which include higher portions that protrude greater than lower portions, and some of the raised portions in one or more areas of the contoured surface have higher portions that are positioned in a particular direction on each raised portion. A kick (14) for the waterboard has a curved or concave bottom surface (96). The kick has a hole (64) on its back surface (60a) and / or a slot (72) in its top or bottom surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory for a wakeboard used in sports and / or recreation.

[0002] One or more specific applications of the present invention relate to traction pads (also known as tail pads, kick pads or deck pads) for such wakeboards and / or their components such as kicks.

Background Art

[0003] Instead of wax, which was commonly used until the late 1970s, traction pads are used to provide an improved grip between water sports and recreation boards and their users, typically surfboards and surfers. The adhesive layer is provided on the lower surface or underside of the traction pad to fix the traction pad to the upper surface of the surfboard, and the texture finish is provided on the upper surface or upper side of the traction pad to assist in gripping.

[0004] However, the lower surface of the traction pad is not smooth where it has residual stress due to the manufacture or installation of the grip or traction pad, creating a situation that is not ideal for the adhesion of the traction pad to the surfboard.

[0005] The traction pad can be divided into multiple parts, for example, typically three longitudinal parts can be formed by cutting a longitudinal line passing through the traction pad on both sides of the arch. This can help the traction pad conform to the laterally curved upper surface of the surfboard.

[0006] Furthermore, or alternatively, a series of holes or perforations can be cut into or through the traction pad. Holes passing through the top surface of the traction pad can help provide grip between the surfer and the traction pad. Such holes can also lighten the traction pad and alter its local effective stiffness, as the area supporting the load from the surfer is reduced by these holes, effectively increasing the pressure due to contact with the surfer compared to the pressure in the material of a flat traction pad without holes to react to the load from the surfer. Also, compressed material surrounding the holes or perforations may spread laterally into the holes, which can also reduce the effective stiffness of the traction pad.

[0007] The textured finish, which is provided on the top or upper side of the traction pad to assist with grip, is typically formed by cutting into the deck material. This results in a uniform pattern of raised features. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The traction pad may have a sloping step or "kick" at the rear of the traction pad (for example, towards the tail end of the surfboard) to allow the user to increase traction with their rear foot when turning. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a traction pad for a waterboard is provided, having at least a kick portion and a deck portion. The deck portion substantially covers the kick upper surface when in use, and the traction pad has a pad lower surface. The traction pad has the following four features: a) the deck portion is molded to substantially conform to a shape that accommodates the kick portion and / or arch portion before being fixed, molded or bonded to the kick portion and / or arch portion; b) the traction pad is formed by molding at least the kick portion and / or arch portion to the deck portion in a mold to control the contour of the pad lower surface, the kick portion and / or arch portion including their respective contoured upper surfaces, the deck portion including its lower surface, and the traction pad is formed by molding the respective contoured upper surfaces of the kick portion and / or arch portion to the respective kick and / or arch regions of the deck portion's lower surface. c) the kick, when formed (or before being installed on the waterboard), has a lower surface that is contoured to at least partially accommodate the contour of the waterboard (for example, having a large radius curve and / or concave shape to form a gentle arc at the end face to match or at least approximate the convex shape of a typical waterboard), and / or d) before the connected kick and arch are fixed to the deck portion, the connected kick and arch includes at least one of the following: an arch portion coupled to at least the outer portion of the kick portion, or a kick portion coupled to at least the base of the arch portion, or a kick portion formed integrally with the arch portion.

[0010] If the traction pad includes feature a) that the deck portion is molded to substantially conform to the shape that accommodates the kick portion and / or arch portion, then the deck is essentially pre-molded as part of the traction pad to its final shape or substantially close to its final shape. This is in contrast to the flat sheet materials that have conventionally been used to form the deck on non-planar surfaces including the top surfaces of the kick and arch.

[0011] The traction pad may be a single, integrated product, or it may be manufactured as a single, integrated product that can be separated into multiple individual traction pad sections that together provide the traction pad surface when in use, or it may be provided as individual traction pad sections that together provide the traction pad when in use.

[0012] The underside of the pad may be a mating surface, adhesive surface, or tack surface, and is typically the surface that adheres to the top surface of the waterboard. The underside of the pad may have an adhesive coating.

[0013] Each of the four features described above shares a common goal: to reduce, minimize, or provide low residual stress on the underside of the traction pad when it is in use or installed on a waterboard.

[0014] At least the kick portion may have a different density, or a different rigidity, or a different durometer than the deck portion.

[0015] The kick portion consists of at least a first component and a second component, and the density of the first component may be different from the density of the second component, for example, having a different foam density.

[0016] The traction pad may include an arch portion separate from the kick portion, for example, excluding the arch portion being coupled to or integrated with at least the lower part of the kick portion. The arch portion separate from the kick portion may consist of at least an arch base and an arch upper portion.

[0017] The underside of the pad may include an adhesive coating.

[0018] At the leading edge of the kick, the height of the kick bottom and the pad bottom may vary by less than 1.5 mm (preferably less than 0.8 mm, more preferably less than 0.3 mm, most preferably less than 0.2 mm or less than 0.1 mm) over a distance of less than 10 mm (preferably less than 5 mm) along the pad bottom.

[0019] The kick portion may have an underside contoured to at least partially correspond to the contour of the waterboard, and the lateral center of the kick portion or the traction pad below the kick portion is located at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, higher than the lateral end of the kick portion or the traction pad.

[0020] The kick portion may include at least one slot. The slot is preferably oriented substantially longitudinally and may intersect the rear surface and the bottom or top surface of the kick.

[0021] The traction pad may be formed by molding at least the kick portion and the deck portion together. A skin layer may be formed around the traction pad by the action of heat on at least the kick portion and the deck portion.

[0022] The kick portion may be formed integrally with the arch portion if it is connected to at least the outer circumference of the kick portion, if it is connected to at least the base end of the arch portion, or if it is formed integrally with the arch portion. The connected kick portion and arch portion may be T-shaped when viewed from above.

[0023] If the traction pad is characterized by a), the deck portion is molded to substantially conform to a shape that accommodates the kick portion and / or arch portion, and / or if the traction pad is characterized by b), the traction pad is formed together with or relative to the deck portion by molding at least the kick portion and / or arch portion, and the deck portion may include opposing first and second surfaces.

[0024] Some of the first surface may be fixed to the kick and / or arch, the second surface is a contoured surface, and the deck portion may include or may be molded to include a raised portion that protrudes from the contoured surface by a protrusion height. At least some of the raised portions each include a high portion and a low portion, and the protrusion height of the high portion is greater than the protrusion height of the low portion around each raised portion.

[0025] Some of the raised portions in the first region of the contoured surface may each have a high portion that is at least positioned in the leftward direction during use on each raised portion. Some of the raised portions in the second region of the contoured surface may each have a high portion that is at least positioned in the forward direction during use on each raised portion. Some of the raised portions in the third region of the contoured surface may each have a high portion that is at least positioned in the rightward direction during use on each raised portion.

[0026] Throughout this specification, the raised portion can have a step, but it is not necessary to have a step. The raised portion can have a stepped profile, or a curved or flat profile, and optionally, the height can be varied in different directions, but the height can be varied or tapered in a preferred direction in that region. The raised portion may be inclined between the low portion and the high portion. The raised portion can have a step or an inclination between the low portion and the high portion, or can have a combination of a step and an inclination. The inclination can include a taper or inclination between high portions having a protrusion height greater than that of the low portion with respect to the contoured surface.

[0027] The kick portion may include at least one rear surface and a hole extending into the rear surface.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a wakeboard having at least a kick portion and a deck portion, the kick including at least a kick upper surface (the surface that is at least upwardly oriented during use) and a kick lower surface (the surface that is downwardly oriented during use), and the deck portion substantially covering the kick upper surface (during use). The traction pad has a pad lower surface (or mating surface or adhesive surface).

[0029] The traction pad may be formed by molding together at least the kick portion and the deck portion in a mold so as to control the contour of the pad lower surface.

[0030] The kick portion and / or arch portion may each include a respective contoured upper surface, the deck portion includes a lower surface, and the traction pad is formed by molding the respective contoured upper surfaces of the kick portion and / or arch portion into respective kick regions and / or arch regions of the lower surface of the deck portion.

[0031] The traction pad may be formed by molding or adhering together at least the kick portion and the deck portion, for example, by co-molding or the like. Forming the traction pad by molding together at least the kick portion and the deck portion helps to control the contour of the pad lower surface. The molding can be performed by thermoforming, pressure molding, or preferably a combination of thermoforming and pressure molding. The kick portion and / or deck portion may be a thermosetting polymer material or a chemically reactive polymer material. The polymer material may be one or more urethanes or may contain it.

[0032] At least the kick portion may have a different density, or a different rigidity, or a different durometer with respect to the deck portion. The durometer may be a measure of the hardness of a material, typically a polymer, elastomer, and rubber.

[0033] The kick portion may consist of at least a first component and a second component, and the density of the first component may be different from the density of the second component.

[0034] The kick portion may have an underside contoured to at least partially correspond to the contour of the waterboard, and the lateral center of the kick portion or the traction pad below the kick portion is at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, higher than the lateral end of the kick or traction pad.

[0035] At the leading edge of the kick, the lower surface of the kick and the lower surface of the pad may vary in height by less than 1.5 mm (preferably less than 0.8 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm, most preferably less than 0.2 mm or less than 0.1 mm) over a distance of less than 10 mm (preferably less than 5 mm) along the lower surface of the pad.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard having at least a kick portion and a deck portion, wherein the kick includes a kick upper surface that is at least upward when in use and a kick lower surface that is downward when in use, and the deck portion substantially covers the kick upper surface when in use. The traction pad has a pad lower (or fitted or bonded) surface, and the kick lower surface (when formed or before installation on the waterboard) is contoured to at least partially accommodate the contour of the waterboard. For example, the kick may have a large radius concave shape that forms a gentle arch shape in the end view to match or at least approximate the convex shape of a typical waterboard.

[0037] The kick's contour minimizes or prevents the need for the kick to bend to conform to the shape of the waterboard when installed, thereby minimizing residual stress on the kick due to board curvature and reducing the tensile load on the adhesive under the kick's edge.

[0038] The lateral center of the kick portion or the traction pad below the kick portion may be at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, higher than the lateral edge of the kick portion or traction pad.

[0039] The kick portion may include at least one slot. The slot is preferably oriented substantially longitudinally and may intersect the rear surface and the bottom or top surface of the kick.

[0040] The traction pad may be formed by molding at least the kick portion and the deck portion together.

[0041] At the leading edge of the kick, the height of the kick bottom and the pad bottom may vary by less than 1.5 mm over a distance of less than 10 mm along the pad bottom. Preferably, the height variation of the pad bottom may be less than 0.8 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.3 mm, most preferably less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. The predetermined height variation may preferably occur over a distance of less than 5 mm along the pad bottom from the leading edge (or front edge) of the kick.

[0042] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard having at least a kick portion and a deck portion, wherein the kick has at least a kick upper surface that faces at least upward when in use and a kick lower surface that faces downward when in use, and the deck portion substantially covers the kick upper surface when in use. The traction pad has a pad lower (or fitted or bonded) surface, and the traction pad has a connected kick and arch, wherein, before the connected kick and arch are fixed to the deck portion, the connected kick and arch have an arch portion coupled to at least the outside of the kick portion, or a kick portion coupled to at least the base of the arch portion, or a kick portion formed integrally with the arch portion.

[0043] A structure may be formed by connecting a kick and an arch. The connected kick and arch may be T-shaped in a top view. The kick may include at least one slot. The slot is preferably oriented substantially longitudinally and may intersect the rear surface and the bottom or top surface of the kick.

[0044] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard having at least a kick portion, an arch portion, and a deck portion, wherein at least one of the kick portion, the arch portion, and the deck portion includes or is composed of multiple layers of different rigid materials. For example, at least one of the kick portion, the arch portion, and / or the deck portion may be composed of multiple layers of different materials bonded or molded together. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the kick portion, the arch portion, and / or the deck portion may include or be composed of an air-filled core in a denser and more rigid skin layer.

[0045] Multiple layers of different rigid materials may consist of at least two layers having different rigidities. For example, if three or more layers are provided, two of the layers may have the same rigidity, i.e., the first layer may have a first rigidity, the second layer may have a second rigidity, the third layer may have a first rigidity, or they may alternately have a third rigidity.

[0046] At least one or more layers of the kick section, arch section, and deck section can, for example, be bonded together to form the kick section, arch section, or deck section, respectively.

[0047] Alternatively, or additionally, at least one or more layers of the kick, arch, and deck sections may be molded together. For example, the layers may be cut, molded, or otherwise formed, and then molded together and fixed to form the respective kick, arch, or deck sections. Alternatively, the layers may be formed in a single mold such that a denser skin layer forms an air-filled core around each kick, arch, or deck section.

[0048] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard having at least a kick portion and a deck portion, wherein the kick portion has at least an upper kick surface and a lower kick surface, and the deck portion substantially covers the upper kick surface (when in use). The traction pad has a lower (or fitted or bonded) pad surface, and the deck portion is a molded deck portion that is molded to substantially conform to a shape that accommodates the kick portion and / or arch portion before being fixed, molded or bonded to the kick portion and / or arch portion.

[0049] The deck portion may have an upwardly contoured surface and raised portions that protrude from the raised surface by a projection height relative to the contoured surface, at least some of the raised portions including a high portion and a low portion, the projection height of the high portion being greater than the projection height of the low portion around each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a first region of the contoured surface having each high portion that is positioned at least to the left when in use on each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a second region of the contoured surface having each high portion that is positioned at least to the front when in use on each raised portion, and some of the raised portions in a third region of the contoured surface having each high portion that is positioned at least to the right when in use on each raised portion.

[0050] The deck section may have an underside, which includes a kick area sloping upward toward the trailing edge of the deck to accommodate the kick section of the traction pad, and / or an arch area curving upward toward the center of the deck to accommodate the arch section. The kick area of ​​the deck may be separated (or distinguished) from the rest (most or at least part) of the underside of the deck by an angled feature shaped to match the leading edge of the kick. Thus, the kick area of ​​the deck may be angled with respect to at least part of the rest of the underside of the deck. Similarly, the arch area may be separated from the rest of the underside of the deck by an angled feature shaped to match the profile of the arch section.

[0051] Alternatively, the deck portion may have an underside which includes a substantially planar region, and further includes a kick region that slopes upward toward the rear end of the deck to accommodate a kick portion of a traction pad, and / or an arch region that rises substantially above the planar region toward the center of the deck to accommodate an arch portion.

[0052] The traction pad may be formed by molding a molded deck section into a kick section and / or arch section.

[0053] Another aspect of the present invention provides a molded deck for a waterboard traction pad, the molded deck having a top surface including a raised portion.

[0054] The raised portion may protrude from the upper surface by a projection height, and at least some of the raised portions include a high portion and a low portion, the projection height of the high portion being greater than the projection height of the low portion around each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a first region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the left when in use on each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a second region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the front when in use on each raised portion, and some of the raised portions in a third region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the right when in use on each raised portion.

[0055] The deck may be molded to substantially accommodate the kick and / or arch sections. For example, the deck may be contoured and molded to substantially conform to a shape that accommodates the kick and / or arch sections, which are molded when the deck is first formed or subsequently molded or glued. Alternatively, a skin layer may be formed around the deck by the action of heat.

[0056] Another aspect of the present invention provides a deck for a waterboard traction pad, the deck including a raised portion that, when in use, protrudes from the upper side or surface of the deck by a projection height relative to the upper surface, at least some of the raised portions including a high portion and a low portion, the projection height of the high portion being greater than the projection height of the low portion around each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a first region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the left when in use on each raised portion, some of the raised portions in a second region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the front when in use on each raised portion, and some of the raised portions in a third region of the upper surface having a high portion that is positioned at least to the right when in use on each raised portion.

[0057] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard, the traction pad comprising: first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface being fixed to the waterboard during use, and the second surface being a contoured surface; at least first, second, third, and fourth edges, the first edge being angled less than 30 degrees with respect to the third edge, the second and fourth edges being angled less than 30 degrees with respect to each other, and edges being angled more than 60 degrees with respect to the first and third edges; and at least several of the raised portions projecting from the contoured surface by a projection height relative to the contoured surface. The contoured surface has a raised portion which includes a high portion and a low portion, wherein the protruding height of the high portion is greater than the protruding height of the low portion, and a portion of the raised portion in at least a first region of the contoured surface has a high portion which is located on the respective raised portion which is closer to the first edge of the traction pad than the third edge of the traction pad (or located on the respective raised portion toward the first edge of the traction pad), and a portion of the raised portion in at least a second region of the contoured surface has a high portion which is located on the respective raised portion which is closer to the second edge of the traction pad than the fourth edge of the traction pad.

[0058] For example, the first surface may be the base of the traction pad. The user can interact with the contoured surface during use. The second surface may be the baseline surface of the top or grip surface, the baseline surface being contoured over any kick and / or arch features of the traction pad, with the raised portion protruding from the baseline surface. The contoured surface may be inclined with respect to the first surface, at least in the kick area. The first, second, third, and fourth edges of the traction pad may be the front edge, right edge, rear edge, and left edge, respectively, with respect to the waterboard during use.

[0059] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard, the traction pad having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface being fixed to the waterboard when in use, and the second surface being a contoured surface, and a raised portion projecting from the contoured surface by a projection height, the projection height being relative to the contoured surface, wherein a portion of the raised portion in at least a first region of the contoured surface is angled such that the projection height of the raised portion increases toward the left side of the traction pad when in use, a portion of the raised portion in a second region of the contoured surface is angled such that the projection height of the raised portion increases toward the front side of the traction pad when in use, and a portion of the raised portion in a third region of the contoured surface is angled such that the projection height of the raised portion increases toward the right side of the traction pad when in use.

[0060] The contoured surface may be on the traction pad side with which the waterboard user interacts during use. The contoured surface may be inclined with respect to the first surface, at least in the kick area.

[0061] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard, the traction pad having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface being fixed to the waterboard when in use, and the second surface being a contoured surface, and a raised portion projecting from the contoured surface by a projection height relative to the contoured surface, at least some of the raised portions including a high portion and a low portion, the projection height of the high portion being greater than the projection height of the low portion, wherein some of the raised portions in at least a first region of the contoured surface have a high portion that is positioned to the left when in use on each raised portion, some of the raised portions in at least a second region of the contoured surface have a high portion that is positioned to the front when in use on each raised portion, and some of the raised portions in at least a third region of the contoured surface have a high portion that is positioned to the right when in use on each raised portion.

[0062] For example, the first surface may be the base of the traction pad. The contoured surface may be on the side of the traction pad that the waterboard user interacts with during use. The contoured surface may be inclined with respect to the first surface, at least in the kick area. The percentage of the raised areas in each of the first, second, and third areas may be at least 10 percent, preferably at least 15 percent, more preferably at least 20 percent, most preferably at least 25 percent, but may be at least 35 percent or at least 45 percent. The projection height of each raised area may be measured relative to the contoured surface around each raised area, or it may be measured from each virtual surface that is continuous with the contoured surface and from which each raised area protrudes by the projection height.

[0063] The proportion of the raised portion in a first region of the contoured surface, where each raised portion has a higher portion that is positioned at least to the left when in use on each raised portion, may be at least 25 percent, and of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface, at least 25 percent may have a higher portion that is positioned at least to the front when in use on each raised portion.

[0064] At least 25 percent of the raised portions in the first region of the contoured surface may have a respective raised portion that is positioned at least forward-left when in use. For example, at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward-left in the first region may include some or all of the at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned to the left, and / or include some or all of the at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward. Alternatively, at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward-left may be added to at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned to the left and at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward.

[0065] Alternatively, at least 45% of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface may have a respective raised portion that is positioned forward to the left when in use.

[0066] When used on each raised portion, the proportion of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface having each raised portion located at least to the left is a portion or less of the raised portion located to the front left, and such proportion is at least 25%.

[0067] A smaller proportion may be at least 10%, in which case only 10% of the raised portions in the first region may have their elevated positions located in the forward-left direction. However, if the entire proportion of the raised portions in the first region is located in the forward-left direction, then at least 25 percent of the raised portions in the first region have their elevated positions located in the forward-left direction.

[0068] Furthermore, at least 25% of the raised portions in the first region of the contoured surface may have a respective elevated position located towards the rear-right when in use. The raised portions having elevated positions located towards the rear-right may be alternated with raised portions having elevated positions located towards the front-left over at least a portion of the first region.

[0069] Alternatively, at least 25 percent of the raised portions in the first region of the contoured surface may have a respective raised portion that is positioned to the rear left when in use. Alternatively, at least 25 percent of the raised portions in the first region of the contoured surface may have a respective raised portion that is positioned to the front right when in use.

[0070] Some of the ridges in the third region of the contoured surface, each having a raised portion that is positioned at least to the right when in use on each ridge, may be positioned forward to the right, and this proportion is at least 25 percent. At least 25 percent of the ridges in the third region of the contoured surface may have a raised portion that is positioned backward to the left when in use on each ridge.

[0071] When used on each of the raised portions, the proportion of the raised portion in the second region of the contoured surface having each raised portion located at least in the forward direction may be at least 25 percent.

[0072] At least 25 percent of the raised portions in the second region of the contoured surface may have a respective raised portion that is positioned at least forward-left when in use. For example, at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward-left in the second region may include some or all of the at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward. Alternatively, at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward-left may be added to at least 25 percent of the raised portions having a raised portion positioned forward.

[0073] Some of the raised portions in at least a fourth region of the contoured surface may have a raised portion on each of the raised portions that is positioned at least forward when in use. The proportion may be at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, most preferably at least 25%, but may be at least 35% or at least 45%.

[0074] The proportion of the raised portion in the fourth region of the contoured surface, where each raised portion has a raised section that is positioned at least forward when in use, may be at least 25 percent. At least 25 percent of the raised portion in the second region of the contoured surface may have a raised section that is positioned at least forward-right when in use, where each raised portion has a raised section.

[0075] Some of the raised portions in the fourth region of the contoured surface may have a raised portion on each raised portion that is positioned at least forward when in use. The first region may be located to the left of the pad (e.g., to the left of the pad's centerline) and in front of the kick area. Alternatively, the center of the first region may be to the left of the arch and in front of the kick. The second region may be located to the front and left of the pad (e.g., towards the front left corner of the pad). The third region may be located to the right of the pad (e.g., to the right of the pad's centerline) and in front of the kick area. Alternatively, the center of the third region may be to the right of the arch and in front of the kick. The fourth region may be located to the front and right of the pad (e.g., towards the front right corner of the pad). The second region may be a mirror of the first region. The fourth region may be a mirror of the third region. The mirrored region may be mirrored with respect to the centerline of the traction pad.

[0076] The percentage may be at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, most preferably at least 25%, but may also be at least 35% or at least 45%.

[0077] The traction pad may be molded. The traction pad may be molded as a single piece. The traction pad may consist of separable molded traction pad sections. Alternatively, the traction pad may be formed as individual traction pad sections that provide a traction pad surface when in use.

[0078] Another aspect of the present invention provides a deck for a traction pad as described in a prior aspect of the present invention, the deck having a second surface and a raised portion. The deck may be molded in a shape contoured to accommodate a kick and / or arch.

[0079] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard, the traction pad having a kick portion having at least a rearward-facing surface when in use, the kick portion including a back hole extending into the kick from at least the rearward-facing surface.

[0080] At least a portion of the back hole may extend longitudinally within 10 or 20 degrees relative to the traction pad. This proportion may be at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent. Furthermore, the kick portion may include side holes extending into the kick from at least a side-facing surface, the side holes extending laterally within 10 or 20 degrees relative to the traction pad. All or part of the side holes may be through holes extending, for example, into slots, or none of them may be through holes.

[0081] At least a portion of the backhaul may reach at least 50 percent of the kick depth, from the rearward-facing surface to at least the forward-facing contoured surface. The percentage of the backhaul may be 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 percent. The portion of the hole may preferably reach (or have) at least 60, 70, or 80 percent of the kick depth.

[0082] The kick portion may include an upper and lower surface when in use, and the kick portion may include a slot that extends substantially longitudinally when in use from at least a rearward-facing surface through the upper or lower surface, and the slot may include a base that forms the inner edge of the slot. The inner edge of the slot may be the edge furthest from the upper and lower surfaces, or the edge furthest from the upper or lower surface.

[0083] The kick portion may be molded. Alternatively or additionally, the traction pad may be molded.

[0084] Another aspect of the present invention provides a traction pad for a waterboard, the traction pad having a kick portion having at least a rearward-facing surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface when in use, the kick portion including a slot extending substantially longitudinally from at least the rearward-facing surface through the upper surface or through the lower surface, the slot including a base that forms the inner edge of the slot, the inner edge of the slot being the edge furthest from the upper and lower surfaces, or the edge furthest from the upper surface or the lower surface.

[0085] The base may have a width greater than the width of the slot adjacent to the base.

[0086] The kick portion may be molded.

[0087] The kick portion may include a backhole extending into the kick from at least a rearward-facing surface. At least a portion of the backhole may extend within 10 or 20 degrees longitudinally with respect to the traction pad. This proportion may be at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent.

[0088] At least a portion of the backhaul may reach at least 50% of the kick depth from the rearward-facing surface to at least the forward-facing contoured surface. The percentage of the backhaul may be 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50%. The percentage of the hole may preferably reach (or have) at least 60, 70, or 80 percent of the kick depth.

[0089] Another aspect of the present invention provides a kick portion for a traction pad, the kick portion having at least a rearward-facing surface when in use, and the kick portion including a back hole extending into the kick from at least the rearward-facing surface.

[0090] At least a portion of the back hole may extend longitudinally within 10 or 20 degrees relative to the traction pad. This proportion may be at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent. Furthermore, the kick portion may include side holes extending into the kick from at least a side-facing surface, the side holes extending laterally within 10 or 20 degrees relative to the traction pad. All or some of the side holes may be through holes extending, for example, into slots, or none of them may be such through holes.

[0091] At least a portion of the backhaul may reach at least 50 percent of the kick depth from the rearward-facing surface to at least the forward-facing contoured surface. The percentage of the backhaul may be 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 percent. The portion of the hole may preferably reach (or have) at least 60, 70, or 80 percent of the kick depth.

[0092] The kick portion may include an upper and lower surface when in use, and the kick portion may include a slot that extends substantially longitudinally when in use from at least a rearward-facing surface through the upper or lower surface, and the slot may include a base that forms the inner edge of the slot. The inner edge of the slot may be the edge furthest from the upper and lower surfaces, or the edge furthest from the upper or lower surface.

[0093] The kick portion may be molded. Alternatively or additionally, the traction pad may be molded.

[0094] Another aspect of the present invention provides a kick portion for a traction pad, the kick portion having at least a rearward-facing surface, an upper surface and a lower surface when in use, the kick portion including a slot extending substantially longitudinally from at least the rearward-facing surface through the upper surface or through the lower surface, the slot including a base that forms the inner edge of the slot. The inner edge of the slot may be the edge furthest from the upper and lower surfaces, or the edge furthest from the upper surface or the lower surface.

[0095] The base may have a width greater than the width of the slot adjacent to the base.

[0096] The kick portion may be molded.

[0097] The kick portion may include a back hole extending into the kick from at least a rearward-facing surface. At least a portion of the back hole may extend longitudinally with respect to the traction pad at an angle of no more than 10 degrees or 20 degrees. This proportion may be at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent.

[0098] At least a portion of the backhaul may reach at least 50% of the kick depth from the rearward-facing surface to at least the forward-facing contoured surface. The percentage of the backhaul may be 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50%. The percentage of the hole may preferably reach (or have) at least 60, 70, or 80 percent of the kick depth. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0099] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of a conventional traction pad. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the traction pad shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a detailed view derived from the cross-sectional view in Figure 2. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a molding apparatus for molding a traction pad according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the traction pad shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the traction pads shown in Figures 4 and 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a detailed view derived from the cross-sectional view in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of a molding apparatus for molding a traction pad including a connecting kick and arch according to the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view of the connecting kick and arch according to the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a rear view of the linked kick and arch in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view through the connecting kick and arch of Figure 9. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a plan view of the traction pad shown in Figure 8. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view through the traction pads shown in Figures 8 and 12. [Figure 13A] Figure 13A is a rear view of the kick portion for the traction pad according to the present invention. [Figure 13B] Figure 13B is a rear view of the kick portion for the traction pad according to the present invention. [Figure 13C] Figure 13C is a cross-sectional view passing through the kick portion of Figure 13A. [Figure 13D] Figure 13D is a cross-sectional view of the kick plate shown in Figure 13B with the deck attached. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a plan view of a traction pad having directional traction according to the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a plan view of a traction pad having directional traction similar to that shown in Figure 14. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 17]Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 16. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 17, passing through the raised portion of Figure 16. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 19. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 20, passing through the raised portion of Figure 19. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 22. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 23, passing through the raised portion of Figure 22. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 25. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 26, passing through the raised portion of Figure 25. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 28. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 29, passing through the raised portion of Figure 28. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion of Figure 31. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 32, passing through the raised portion of Figure 31. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 34. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 35, passing through the raised portion of Figure 34. [Figure 37] Figure 37 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 38] Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 37. [Figure 39] Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 38, passing through the raised portion of Figure 37. [Figure 40] Figure 40 is a plan view of the raised portion of the traction pad shown in Figure 15. [Figure 41] Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 40. [Figure 42] Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the cross-section of Figure 41, passing through the raised portion of Figure 40. [Figure 43] Figure 43 is a plan view of the raised area on the deck sheet. [Figure 44] Figure 44 shows the group of nine raised areas in Figure 43. [Figure 45] Figure 45 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 44. [Figure 46] Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 44. [Figure 47] Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 44. [Figure 48] Figure 48 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 44. [Figure 49] Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion in Figure 44. [Figure 50] Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view passing through the raised portion shown in Figure 44. [Figure 51] Figure 51 shows the group of three bars in Figure 43. [Figure 52] Figure 52 is a cross-sectional view through the bar in Figure 51. [Figure 53]Figure 53 is a cross-sectional view passing through one of the bars in Figure 51. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0100] Throughout this specification, the use of the term "waterboard" may be understood to refer to any similar water sports board or water recreation board, such as bodyboards, paddleboards, windsurfer boards, surfboards, or other surfcraft. Similarly, any description relating to a surfboard may equally refer to any similar water sports board or water recreation board.

[0101] Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a traction pad 10 is shown having a raised rear portion or kick 14 and a deck portion or deck sheet 12 optionally joined to an arch 18. The cross-sectional view in Figure 2 is a cross-section cut along line F2 in Figure 1. The deck sheet 12 has an upper surface 20 whose texture is formed by including raised portions or other textured features 22. These can be formed by cutting a groove pattern into the deck sheet. If the deck sheet 12 flexes at the base of the kick 14, grooves 16 are provided on the upper surface 20 of the deck sheet 12 to assist the flexing of the deck sheet.

[0102] The deck sheet is typically manufactured as a flat sheet of material bonded to the kick 14 and arch 18, after which the traction pad 10 is stamped or die-cut to shape. The underside 24 of the traction pad is typically substantially flat, but not perfectly flat. The bending or curvature required for the deck sheet to contact the kick 14, arch 18 and the upper surface 42 of the surfboard 40 is indicated by F3, and in the area shown in more detail and magnified in Figure 3, generates bending moments and residual stresses in the deck sheet 12, kick 14 and arch 18. As a result, a gap 28 is created at the periphery of the arch 18 and a gap 26 is created at the front or leading edge of the kick 14. Therefore, even if a groove 16 is cut into the deck sheet 12, the deck sheet 12 cannot flex to conform to the upper surface 42 of the surfboard 40 near the edge of the kick 14. Since the deck sheet 12 is glued to the kick 14 before the traction pad is fixed to the surfboard 40, the bending load of the deck sheet distorts the edge of the kick, creating a gap 26 at the leading edge of the kick.

[0103] The adhesive layer 38 applied to the underside 24 of the traction pad is also applied to the underside 34 of the kick 14, the underside 36 of the arch 18, and the portions of the underside 32 of the deck sheet 12 that are not adhered to the kick 14 and arch 18. During manufacturing, the traction pad typically has a protective sheet under the adhesive layer 38. When the traction pad is attached to the surfboard 40, the protective sheet is removed and the adhesive layer 38 is exposed. The gaps 26 and 28 at the edges of the kick and arch may provide small areas of poor adhesion, no adhesion, and / or air pockets between the traction pad and the top surface 42 of the surfboard 40.

[0104] Figure 4 shows a traction pad molding apparatus 50. The upper mold 52 and lower mold 56 allow the kick, arch, and deck sheet to be molded together, at least partially using heat, to bond them and remove or significantly reduce residual stress on the traction pad around the leading edge of the kick and the periphery of the arch. The use of heat can also provide a skin layer to the traction pad, as the outer surface can melt, and such a skin layer can increase the surface strength of the traction pad. Molding can also add not only strength but also rigidity to the traction pad, and allows for the use of more precise and complex shapes than is possible with mass production of die-cut and glued parts. A further advantage of using a rear mold 54 is that holes 64, etc., perpendicular to the mating direction of the upper and lower molds can be formed in the kick.

[0105] In Figure 4, the kick is a multi-rigid kick 58 consisting of an outer kick portion 60 that at least partially surrounds one inner kick portion 62. Similarly, the arch is a multi-rigid arch 66 consisting of an arch base 68 and an arch upper portion 70. At least two elements of each multi-rigid kick or arch can be regions of different materials or regions of different densities and rigidities. For example, the inner kick portion can be a more permeable region of the kick, formed within a high-density outer region of the same material. Alternatively, the inner kick portion and / or the arch upper portion can be made from a different rigidity material than the outer kick portion and / or the arch base. Different rigidity materials could be, for example, different (i.e., lower or higher) durometer urethane, different durometer ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or any different durometer non-petrochemical material. If EVA, etc., is used, organic additives can be incorporated into the material mixture to promote biodegradability in a bacterial environment, as with other materials used in other elements of the traction pad.

[0106] The traction pad 10 shown in the plan view of Figure 5 and the cross-sectional view of Figure 6, which is cut along the stepped section line F6 of Figure 5, is the same as the traction pad in Figure 4. The multi-rigid arch 66 is shown with a dashed line in Figure 5 because it is located below the deck sheet 20, but the deck sheet will curve above the arch 66. The outlines of the arch base 68 and the arch upper part 70 are also shown.

[0107] The kick 58 has a slot 72 at the top of its rear edge, extending through the highest part of the kick, allowing it to bend to conform to the curved top surface of the surfboard when mounted. If the kick is formed as a flat bottom, the kick area of ​​the traction pad can provide most of the bending stiffness of the traction pad when viewed in the lateral plane. Since most surfboards have a considerable curvature or curve on their top surface, when the traction pad is bonded to the top surface of the surfboard, the bending of the kick area in particular to conform to the curve of the surfboard's top surface generates residual stress within the traction pad, acting against the adhesive action of the adhesive layer as the side edge of the kick area of ​​the traction pad. The slot 72 can reduce the bending stiffness of the kick area, significantly reducing the residual stress on the kick area when bonded to the surfboard, and thus improving performance. This may negate the need to cut the traction pad (more specifically, at least the kick) into longitudinal strips or otherwise form it into multiple parts, as has been done conventionally. Alternatively, or in addition to the slot, the underside of the kick can be curved or otherwise contoured or shaped so as to at least partially match, conform to, or correspond to the contour or curved upper surface of the surfboard.

[0108] Slot 72 can be centrally located, as shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the slot can be spaced laterally from the longitudinal centerline of the kick. For example, a similar slot can be provided together with a matching slot symmetrically located on the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of the kick, through the longest part of the kick through which line F6 passes. Kicks incorporating this type of slot can be used in conventional adhesive traction pad structures, but they are most beneficial when molded into a molded part or traction pad, as shown in Figure 4.

[0109] In Figure 6, the inner kick portion 62 is located inside the outer kick portion 60 of different stiffnesses or durometers. Similarly, the upper arch portion 70 is located above the arch base portion 68. Although the upper arch portion 70 is shown above the arch base portion 68, it may be partially or completely enclosed by the material of the arch base portion. Similarly, although the inner kick portion 62 is shown completely enclosed within the outer kick portion 60, it may be enclosed only above the outer kick portion, or only partially by the outer kick portion.

[0110] The holes 64 on the rear and side surfaces of the kick outer portion 60 can be dimples that do not penetrate the kick outer portion. Alternatively, some or all of the holes 64 on the rear and side surfaces of the kick outer portion 60 may completely penetrate the kick outer portion, exposing or penetrating the kick inner portion 62.

[0111] As shown in Figure 4, the advantage of molding the kick, arch, and deck sheet together is that residual stress around the bending points of the deck sheet can be reduced or neutralized. These bending points on the lower surface 24 of the traction pad 10 are the leading edge 80 of the kick and the periphery of the arch 66, for example, the trailing edge 82 of the arch and the leading edge 84 of the arch in the cross-section shown in Figure 6.

[0112] The groove 16 is provided in the deck sheet 20 near the leading edge 80 of the kick 58 and is indicated to help reduce residual stress where the deck sheet flexes the most. Details of this area, indicated as F7, are shown in an enlarged view of Figure 7. If the traction pad is molded as shown in Figure 4, for example, then, as seen in Figure 7, the underside 34 of the leading edge 80 of the kick 58 and the underside 32 of the deck sheet 12 do not rise significantly above the upper surface 42 of the surfboard 40 where their undersides 32,34 meet. Similarly, the underside 36 of the trailing edge 82 of the arch 66 and the underside 32 of the deck sheet 12 do not rise significantly above the upper surface 42 of the surfboard 40 where their undersides 32,36 meet. If small gaps still exist at the edges 80, 82 between the underside 32 of the deck sheet and the undersides 34, 36 of the kick 58 or arch 66, such gaps are preferably less than 1.5 mm in height, preferably less than 0.8 mm, more preferably less than 0.3 mm, and most preferably less than 0.2 mm or less than 0.1 mm. The height of these gaps is essentially a variation in height along the underside 24 of the pad over a distance of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm. Small gaps with lower residual stress than structures of conventional bonding methods provide improved bonding performance for the traction pad.

[0113] Alternatively, a groove can be cut into the leading edge of the kick, or at the leading edge of the kick, in the traction pad (kick and / or deck sheet) to provide a greater gap in height, forming a rigid edge channel for water to pass through. This can prevent slight lifting at the edges of the bonded area, which could otherwise increase in size over time. Similarly, holes can be drilled in the flat parts of the pad, as the holes do not generate residual stress and therefore do not cause water to lift, resulting in a rigid edge. However, too many holes will weaken the deck sheet and reduce the bonded area.

[0114] The traction pad molding apparatus 50 shown in Figure 8 is similar to that shown in Figure 4, except that the kick 58 and arch 66 are joined together by a connected kick and arch 90. The connected kick and arch 90 can be formed as a single, roughly T-shaped component, or, as shown, can be formed by joining the outer kick portion 60 and the arch base 68, allowing for the use of multi-rigidity kicks and / or arches.

[0115] Figure 9 shows a connected kick and arch 90. In this example, the arch base 68 extends forward from the leading edge 80 of the outer kick portion 60. The upper slot 72 of the kick includes a leading edge 92 shaped to reinforce the end of the slot to prevent tearing from the end of the slot forward of the kick. The lower edge 94 or base of the slot 72 can be shaped similarly, as shown in Figure 10.

[0116] In addition to or as an alternative to the slot 72, the underside of the kick preferably has a concave curved underside 96, as shown in Figure 10, to approximate the convex curve of the upper surface of the surfboard and to help the traction pad conform to the required shape and adhere to the surfboard with minimal residual stress during installation. For example, the center 97 of the curved surface 96 may typically need to be 2 mm higher than the concave underside or outer edge 98 of the curved surface 96 of the kick so as to coincide with the convex curve of the upper surface of the surfboard. Such a contour or concave curved underside 96 of the kick can be applied to other kicks in other traction pad configurations as shown in Figures 4 to 7, and can also be applied to modify conventional traction pad designs as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0117] Figure 11 shows a cross-section taken along line F11 shown in Figure 9, passing through a connected kick and arch 90. As can be seen, the outer kick portion 60 and the arch base portion 68 are integral. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the outer kick portion 60 does not completely enclose the inner kick portion 62. Furthermore, a boundary 99 is shown in the inner kick portion 62. This boundary 62 is arbitrary and therefore dotted, but it indicates a boundary between materials of different stiffnesses or between different materials within the inner kick portion 62. For example, the inner kick portion and / or the upper arch portion can be formed from two or more components made of materials of different stiffnesses or different materials. These components may simply be layers of material, or they may have a shape and varying thickness, as shown by the dashed boundary 99 in Figure 11.

[0118] A traction pad incorporating connected kicks and arches 90 is shown in the plan view of Figure 12, with a multi-rigid arch 66 beneath the deck sheet 20 shown as a dotted line and extending rearward to the kick 58. Section cutting line F13 indicates the cut for the section shown in Figure 13.

[0119] The integrated kick outer portion 60 and arch base portion 68 can be seen in the cross-section of Figure 13. A groove 16 can be provided in the deck sheet 12 at the leading edge of the kick to assist in bending the deck sheet into the form of a connected kick and arch 90, but the two edges of the kick and arch that were close to each other in the other kick and arch embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 have been removed in this cross-section. This further reduces the possibility of the pad lifting in the area between the arch and the stepped lift due to poor contact with the surfboard during use.

[0120] When molding the traction pad, the densities of the materials molded together may be two or more. For example, the density of the outer part of the kick, the deck sheet, and the arch base may be a lower durometer than that of the inner part of the kick. However, each part may have a different density and / or durometer than the other parts as needed, or it may be made from a material with variable stiffness, density, and / or durometer, such as the upper part of the arch having a breathable core around a higher-density outer skin layer. The deck sheet 12 may consist of multiple layers of different materials bonded or molded together, or it may include a breathable core within a higher-density and stronger skin layer.

[0121] Figure 13A shows a kick of another embodiment of the present invention, the kick having a hole 64 extending through substantial portion of the kick in the rearward-facing surface 60a of the kick 14. The addition of the hole can be used to reduce the rigidity of the kick without using multiple rigid materials within the kick. Having the hole open to the rear of the kick prevents water from becoming trapped in the hole. Molding the kick 14 with the hole 64 can provide significant strength and durability advantages compared to machining the kick from a solid. Section line F13C indicates the line from which the section in Figure 13C is taken. Figure 13C shows the depth of the hole 64 and the kick 14 made of a single material. Preferably, the hole 64 does not penetrate the contoured (and at least partially upward-facing) surface 59 of the kick 14.

[0122] In Figure 13A, the holes are elliptical or circular, in contrast to the shallower rhomboid holes 64 in Figure 10. Shallow holes 64, as shown in Figure 10, can be formed by fixing or molding a mesh or perforated outer layer across the body of the kick 14. Indeed, any perforated layer, for example, made of a material of a contrasting color, may be fixed, bonded, or molded to the kick body so that a pattern or image can be formed on the kick 14, particularly on the rear or rear-facing surface 60a of the kick. However, the rhomboid holes 64 in Figure 10 can optionally be used in kicks without arches, along with the significantly increased hole depth in Figure 13C. Preferably, the shape and orientation of the holes allow for some degree of a concertina effect when the kick is compressed.

[0123] Other hole shapes are also conceivable, such as the hexagonal hole in Figure 13B and the cross-sectional view of the kick area of ​​the traction pad shown in Figure 13D (the cutting line of the cross section is indicated by line F13D in Figure 13B). The depth of the hole extending from the rearward-facing surface 60a of the kick appears to remove a considerable portion of the material from the lower half of the kick if necessary for the desired stiffness characteristics, while much of the upper half may remain solid. To provide additional holes on the upper part of the kick, a hole 64 may extend laterally inward from the outer side of the kick, as shown in Figure 13D. These holes may or may not pass through the upper half of the kick through the slot 72 seen in Figures 13A and 13B.

[0124] In Figure 10, the lower edge or base 94 of the slot 72 is rhomboid in correspondence with the shape of the hole, but any shape can be used. For example, in Figure 13A, the lower edge or base 94 of the slot 72 is circular or elliptical, and in Figure 13B, the lower edge or base 94 of the slot 72 is hexagonal. However, preferably, in all cases, the edge of the lower edge or base 94 of the slot 72 is reinforced by a small flange surrounding the base of the slot on the rear-facing surface 60a of the kick. Similar to the hole 64 of the kick, molding the base of the slot can further improve the material properties and strength or resistance to tearing of the base of the slot, in addition to improvements made solely by shape. Molding the kick 14 can also reduce material waste by preventing the need for significant material removal to form the kick's features, such as the hole 64 and the curvature of the curved lower surface 96.

[0125] Figure 14 is a plan view of a deck sheet 12 for a traction pad. Similar to Figures 1, 5, and 12, the deck sheet 12 has a textured top surface 20 that includes raised areas or other texture features 22. In the previous figures, the texture features 22 are shown as a regular pattern of raised areas that can be easily formed by machining. However, in Figure 14, the texture features 22 or raised areas are irregular or non-uniform across the entire deck sheet. While such irregular raised areas shown in Figure 14 can still be machined, they are more complex to manufacture than simpler, regular patterns, and if machined, it is preferable to cut them using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.

[0126] One advantage of using an irregular pattern of raised sections is that the raised sections may have different high points in different directions. This allows the raised sections to be shaped to suit forces in different directions. Therefore, the raised sections shown in Figure 14 can be collectively called directional traction 100. As shown in Figure 14, in the first region R1 facing the leading edge or forward of the deck sheet 12, the raised sections are at least higher toward the forward direction. The rightmost raised section in region R1 has its highest point toward the forward direction and toward the right side of the raised section. In the second region R2, the raised section is highest toward the right side of the raised section. In the third region R3, the raised section is highest toward the front, and the raised section closer to the right side of the deck sheet 12 is highest not only toward the front but also toward the right side. The fourth region R4 is shown in the kick region of the deck sheet, and the fifth region R5 is shown in the arch region of the deck sheet. Any number of such regions can be provided. Each region typically interacts with a specific area of ​​the user's foot, such as the toes, ball of the foot, instep, and heel, and often different areas of the user's foot interact depending on the user's stance on the traction pad.

[0127] Preferably, as shown in the following figures and description, the directional traction 100 provides different regions of directional resistance. For example, the ridges typically individually decrease in height towards the center of the traction pad and increase in height towards the outward-facing edges of each ridge. In addition, regions R2 and R3 have elongated ridges, each with multiple higher sections, to provide engagement for both the toe and heel, regardless of stance.

[0128] Figure 15 shows the deck sheet 12 of Figure 14, with the logo 142 incorporated into the directional traction 100 ridges, and some ridges shown in bold. The ridge 110 is a substantially elliptical ridge and, like many other ridges in the region indicated as R1 in Figure 14, may have an angled top surface that rises towards the front of the deck sheet. If an elliptical ridge is in another region, it is preferably angled in the direction preferred in that other region. The substantially square ridges 112, 118, and 122 have a stepped profile in which the higher portion 104 is higher (or thicker) than the lower portion 102 of each ridge. The cross-shaped or X-shaped (in plan view) ridge 116 may similarly have a stepped profile, or a curved or flat profile, and may vary in height in different directions, but preferably vary in height or taper in the direction preferred in that region. It will be understood that the ridges do not necessarily have to be stepped in shape. The raised portion can be sloped between the lower and higher portions. The raised portion may have a step, a slope, or a combination of a step and a slope between the lower and higher portions. The slope may include a taper or slope in the higher portion having a greater projection height than the lower portion relative to the contoured surface.

[0129] The lateral and longitudinally shaped protrusions 114, 120, and 124 incorporate grooves 106 in addition to the raised portion 104 and the lower portion 102. Each protrusion rises above the deck sheet base thickness region 108.

[0130] The nearly square-shaped protrusion 112 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 16, with the profile in the longitudinal section taken at F17 in Figure 16 shown in Figure 17, and the profile in the cross section taken at F18 in Figure 16 shown in Figure 18. In Figure 17, it can be seen that the lower portion 102 of the protrusion 112 rises above the deck sheet base thickness region 108, and the higher portion 104 rises even further. The rear regions of the higher portion 104 and the lower portion 102 are shown to be inclined upward toward the front of the deck sheet. In Figure 18, it can be seen that the higher portion 104 and the lower portion 102 are substantially horizontal in the transverse direction, but either or both can be angled, for example, upward and to the right, so that the protrusion 112 is positioned toward the right edge of the deck sheet.

[0131] Figure 15 shows a roughly rectangular raised portion 114 that is mainly oriented in the longitudinal direction, which is shown in Figure 19. The longitudinal and transverse cross-sections taken in Figure 19, indicated by the cross-sectional cutting lines F20 and F21, are enlarged in Figures 20 and 21. Combining these figures, it can be seen that the lower portion 102 of the raised portion 114 slopes upward from the left of the deck sheet base thickness region 108, and that the three individual higher portions 104 each slope upward toward the front. The groove 106 of the lower portion 102 can also be seen in the transverse side view and the longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[0132] The nearly square-shaped raised portion 118 in Figure 15 is shown in Figure 22, and the longitudinal and transverse cross-sections taken in Figure 22, indicated by the cross-sectional cutting lines F23 and F24, are enlarged in Figures 23 and 24. Combining these figures, it can be seen that the lower portion 102 of the raised portion 118 is inclined upward from the left and rear of the deck sheet base thickness region 108. The higher portion 104 is positioned towards the front and right of the raised portion 118 and is slightly inclined upward toward the front.

[0133] Figure 15 shows a raised portion 120 that is mainly lateral and roughly rectangular (slightly curved in top view), which is shown in Figure 25. The longitudinal and transverse sections taken at the cross-sectional lines F26 and F27 in Figure 25 are enlarged in Figures 26 and 27. Combining these figures, it can be seen that the lower portion 102 of the raised portion 120 slopes upward from the rear of the deck sheet base thickness region 108, and has a step difference with the deck sheet base thickness region 108 on the left, right, and front. Also, as can be seen in Figure 27, the lower portion 102 slopes slightly upward toward the left. The three individual higher portions 104 each slope upward toward the front, as shown for the central higher portion in Figure 26. The groove 106 of the lower portion 102 can also be seen in the transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional views.

[0134] The nearly square-shaped raised portion 122 in Figure 15 is shown in Figure 28, and the longitudinal and transverse sections taken at the cross-sectional cutting lines F29 and F30 in Figure 28 are enlarged in Figures 29 and 30. Combining these figures, the lower portion 102 of the raised portion 122 slopes upward from the left and rear of the deck sheet base thickness region 108, and extends to near the end of the higher portion 104. The higher portion 104 is positioned towards the front and right of the raised portion 122 and slopes slightly upward toward the front.

[0135] Figure 15 shows a roughly rectangular (or parallelogram-shaped in top view) raised portion 124, primarily oriented in the longitudinal direction, which is shown in Figure 31. The longitudinal and transverse sections taken along the cross-sectional lines F32 and F33 in Figure 31 are enlarged in Figures 32 and 33. Combining these figures, it can be seen that the lower portion 102 of the raised portion 124 is inclined upward from at least the left of the deck sheet base thickness region 108, and that each of the three individual higher portions 104 is inclined upward from at least the right. The groove 106 in the lower portion 102 can be seen in the transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional views.

[0136] In Figure 15, five raised sections 126 on the kick are shown in bold, and the pattern of these raised sections 126 is shown in a magnified view in Figure 34. Longitudinal and transverse sections taken along section lines F35 and F36 are shown in Figures 35 and 36. As shown in Figures 34, 35 and 36 together, three substantially square raised sections 128 are raised above the deck sheet base thickness region 108. These three raised sections 128 may have different profiles as shown, and in Figure 35, the foremost of the three raised sections has a lower section 102 that slopes upward from the deck sheet base thickness region 108 to the edge of the higher section 104. The higher section slopes further upward or thickens towards the front. The other two substantially square raised sections 128 have a flat top or substantially the same thickness inside a rounded edge that slopes down to the deck sheet base thickness. The other two protrusions in Figure 34 are elongated protrusions 130, shown as flat-topped, rounded-cornered rods that rise above the deck sheet base thickness region 108, as shown in Figures 35 and 36.

[0137] The pattern of the raised portion 132 on the arch in region R5 of Figure 14, shown in bold in Figure 15, is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 37. Longitudinal and transverse sections taken along section lines F38 and F39 are shown in Figures 38 and 39. The raised portion 132 is raised by loops 134 from the deck sheet base thickness region 108. The loops 134 of the raised portion surround the dimple 136 or hole 138. As shown in Figure 38, the edges of the loops 134 of the raised portion may have different profiles from one side of the loop to the other. For the front loop around the dimple 136, the front edge of the loop may slope upward toward the rear, while the rear edge of the loop may be higher and relatively horizontal. For adjacent loops surrounding the dimple 136, the front edge of the loop may be relatively high and horizontal, while the rear edge of the loop may slope downward toward the rear.

[0138] The hatching in Figures 37, 38, and 39 indicates areas of different materials 140 within holes 138 formed by a portion of the raised loop 134. This is used to provide a different color to the central area inside the holes 138 of the raised loop 134. Preferably, the different materials 140 have different stiffnesses, different frictional properties, and / or different surface roughnesses or patterned textures of dots, diamond shapes, or other shapes on their top surfaces. While portions of the different materials 140 can be bonded in place, a preferred method of manufacturing deck sheets incorporating different materials, given the irregular pattern of the raised sections, is molding.

[0139] The trademark or logo 142 shown in Figure 15 is shown enlarged in Figure 40. Longitudinal and transverse sections taken by section lines F41 and F42 in Figure 40 are shown in Figures 41 and 42. Features of grooves 106 and holes 138, at least partially filled with different materials 140, may be used as shown to provide features and definitions for the logo 142.

[0140] Molding the deck sheet 12 allows for complex, irregular patterns in the raised sections, ensuring secure bonding of different materials, while also allowing the deck sheet profile to be molded to match the kick and arch. For example, the deck sheet mold can include the kick angle and arch profile, minimizing residual stress in the deck sheet when forming part of the traction pad. A sharp or clearly defined edge can be formed on the leading edge of the kick section, i.e., the portion where the underside of the deck slopes upward. The molded deck sheet can be bonded to the kick and / or arch with minimal gaps, as described in relation to Figure 7. As discussed in relation to Figures 4 through 7, the entire traction pad 10 can be assembled by molding to minimize residual stress in the traction pad and improve adhesion when the traction pad is installed on the watersport board. The underside of the traction pad can be concave to easily engage with the watersport board during installation, as described above. Similarly, the molded traction pad can include a vertical slot 72 on the trailing edge of the kick.

[0141] The irregular patterns of the elevations can be more complex than simply having the higher parts of some elevations in a region such as region R3 oriented forward and / or to the right. For example, some elevations within a region may have their higher parts oriented forward, some may have their higher parts oriented to the right, some may have their higher parts oriented backward, some may have their higher parts oriented left, or any combination thereof.

[0142] Figure 43 shows the raised area of ​​region R3 in Figure 14. The 3x3 pattern of the raised area 150 in Figure 43 is shown separately in Figure 44, and the cross-sections taken at cross-sectional lines F45, F46, F47, F48, F49, and F50 are shown in Figures 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50, respectively. The individual raised areas 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 167, 168, and 159 are individually referenced in Figure 44 to add clarity to Figures 45 through 50. The three bars or substantially longitudinally oriented rectangular raised area 160 in Figure 43 is shown separately in Figure 51.

[0143] As can be seen in Figures 45 to 47, adjacent (i.e., orthogonally adjacent) ridges in the lateral and longitudinal directions are arranged such that the respective higher portions 104 alternately face forward (for ridges 152, 154, 156, and 158) or backward (for ridges 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159). The lower portions 102 are also shown in the same way as the upper surface 20 on which the ridges protrude. The upper surface 20 in the deck sheet base thickness region 108 of the deck sheet 12 follows the contours of the kick and arch, and is therefore also the surface of the contours on which the ridges protrude.

[0144] In Figures 48 to 50, which show the lateral cross-section, the raised sections are either strongly inclined or not shown as alternating high and low sections. However, in addition to the longitudinal inclination shown in Figures 45 to 47, it is sometimes desirable to incline the raised sections laterally. For example, raised section 151 can be inclined towards the rear left, so that the high sections are located both to the left and rear, and the low sections are located both to the right and front. Raised sections 153, 155, 157, and 159 can similarly be inclined towards the rear left. Raised section 152 can be inclined towards the front right, so that the high sections are located both to the right and front, and the low sections are located both to the left and rear. Raised sections 154, 156, and 158 can similarly be inclined towards the front right, resulting in a pattern of alternating diagonally inclined raised sections.

[0145] Some of the raised areas in a given region can be tilted in a specific direction, while others in the same region can be tilted in different directions. For example, as described above, raised areas 151 to 159 alternately rise towards the front and rise towards the rear. However, as also described above, raised areas can be tilted diagonally, so the direction of tilt can alternate between, for example, the front-right direction and the rear-left direction. Other variations are also possible, for example, alternating between the front-left direction and the front-right direction. Furthermore, it is not necessary to alternate the tilt of orthogonally adjacent raised areas; as long as the desired proportion of raised areas with a specific tilt direction is met within a given region, the combination of tilt directions and the distribution of raised areas with similar tilts can be complex or random.

[0146] Typically, if at least a portion of the elevation within a region slopes in one or two distinct directions, the proportion of elevations sloped in any one direction is at least 25 percent, but may be 35 percent, 40 percent, or 45 percent. However, if a portion of the elevation slopes in three directions, the proportion of elevations sloped in any one of the three directions is typically about 25 percent, but can be higher than 25 percent, such as 10 percent, 15 percent, 20 percent, or 30 percent or 35 percent in one of the three directions.

[0147] The three bars of substantially longitudinally oriented rectangular ridges 161, 162, and 163 shown in Figure 51 can vary their lateral and / or longitudinal inclination relative to each other. A cross section taken along line F52 is shown in Figure 52, and a cross section taken along line F53 is shown in Figure 53. In this example, as seen in Figure 52, the three bars of substantially longitudinally oriented rectangular ridges 161, 162, and 163 are arranged alternately in lateral inclination. The first and third bars 161 and 163 have their higher portion 104 facing to the right (i.e., inclined or angled upwards to the right) and their lower portion 102 facing to the left. Conversely, the second bar 162 has its higher portion 104 facing to the left (i.e., inclined or angled upwards to the left) and its lower portion 102 facing to the right.

[0148] As can be seen in Figure 53, the bar or substantially longitudinally oriented rectangular protrusion 163 is inclined longitudinally and becomes higher toward the rear. The groove 106 formed in the bar and the projections extending from the bar can have approximately the same inclination angle as the bar, as shown, so that the higher portion 104 is toward the rear and the lower portion 102 is toward the front. Alternatively, they can be inclined relative to the bar to reduce or exaggerate their angular profiles.

[0149] Any or all of the regions R1, R2, R3, R4, and / or R5 shown in Figure 14 can be mirrored with respect to the centerline of the deck or traction pad. For example, in Figure 14, all labeled regions are on the right side of the pad, but each is mirrored on the left side of the pad. For example, region R3 is located to the right of the pad's arch region and in front of the pad's kick region. Since the edge of R3 may overlap with the edge of the arch or kick, it is more accurate to say that the center of region R3 is to the right of the arch and in front of the kick. Similarly, the mirrored region of region R3 would have its center located to the left of the arch and in front of the kick.

[0150] Since regions R1 and R2 are located toward the front right corner, their mirror regions will be located toward the front left corner of the pad. The raised portion in R1 can be raised only toward the front, or may include other directions. Similarly, the raised portion in R2 can be raised toward the front, to the right, or both. Similar to the versions of R3 in Figures 43 to 53, where the direction of the raised portion is alternate in at least part of the pattern of the raised portion, the raised portions in other regions such as R2 can be alternated in the lateral and / or direction of the raised portion. For example, the roughly rectangular raised portion in R2 in Figure 14, which is mainly oriented longitudinally, may have a raised portion 104 toward the front in each raised portion, as shown in Figure 20, but with alternating lateral slopes. The substantially rectangular raised portion 114 in Figure 15, which is mainly oriented in the longitudinal direction, may have its highest portion 104 positioned to the right of the raised portion, as shown in Figure 21, while a similar adjacent substantially rectangular raised portion to the right may have its highest portion oriented to the left, and a smaller substantially rectangular raised portion to its right may have its highest portion oriented to the right. Such alternating or complex patterns of the highest portions of the raised portions in any area on the right side of the pad may be mirrored on the left side of the pad.

[0151] The multi-rigidity kick and / or arch section can be used with the deck sheet in Figures 14 and 15, which has directional traction 100, as well as the arch base 68 integrated with the kick in Figures 8 to 13.

[0152] The above combinations can also be used. For example, a deck sheet can be molded into a pre-formed arch, and the resulting molded deck-arch can then be glued to the kick. The final shape of the traction pad can be completely defined by the mold, minimizing waste. Conversely, after molding and / or gluing the contoured deck sheet, kick, and arch, the final width and length (or plan view shape) can be cut out, for example. By using the final cut-out process, different external shapes of the traction pad and different slits for widening or separating parts of the traction pad, as is well known, can be provided without changing the mold. For example, by selectively using cut-out, a molded traction pad can be separated into a central and side section, accommodating users who want to widen the traction pad on the watersport board during installation.

[0153] Modifications and alterations that would be obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the traction pad 10 may include well-known perforations. The deck sheet 12 may include a logo formed by printing, inlay, or any other known method.

[0154] Alternatively or additionally, a slot (not shown) similar to the slot 72 on the top of the kick can be provided on the bottom surface 34 of the kick 58, or on a single-piece rigid kick 14, to allow the kick to bend to conform to the curvature of the top surface of the surfboard to be bonded next. The slot 72 and curved bottom surface can also be applied to a single-piece kick 14.

Claims

1. The deck section, A traction pad for a waterboard comprising a kick portion, or the kick portion and an arch portion, wherein the kick portion has at least an upper kick surface and a lower kick surface, the deck portion substantially covers the upper kick surface, the traction pad has a lower pad surface, the traction pad or at least one of the parts of the traction pad is molded, and the traction pad, when in use, has the following characteristics a) to e), i.e., a) The deck portion shall be molded to substantially conform to the shape that accommodates the kick portion, or the kick portion and the arch portion, before being fixed, molded, or bonded to the kick portion, or the kick portion and the arch portion. b) The traction pad is formed by molding the deck portion and at least the kick portion, or the deck portion and at least the kick portion and the arch portion together in a mold to control the contour of the lower surface of the pad, wherein the kick portion, or the kick portion and the arch portion, each includes a contoured upper surface, the deck portion includes a lower surface, and the traction pad is formed by molding the contoured upper surfaces of the kick portions into the respective kick regions of the lower surface of the deck portion, or by molding the contoured upper surfaces of the kick portions into the kick regions and molding the upper surface of the arch portion into the arch region, wherein the kick portion has at least a rearward-facing surface when in use, and the kick portion includes at least one slot that extends substantially longitudinally when in use, from the at least rearward-facing surface through the contoured upper surface of the kick portion or the lower surface of the kick, c) The kick portion has a kick underside that, when formed, is contoured to accommodate at least partially the contour of the waterboard, and the kick underside has a curved and / or concave shape at its end face. d) The deck portion is molded and has raised portions that protrude from the baseline surface of the deck portion by a projection height relative to the baseline surface, and at least some of the raised portions include a high portion and a low portion, the projection height of the high portion is greater than the projection height of the low portion, A certain proportion of the raised portion in at least a first region of the baseline surface has, when in use, the respective raised portion, which is located at least to the left. A certain proportion of the raised portion in at least a third region of the baseline surface has, when in use, the respective raised portion located at least to the right, A certain proportion of the raised portion in at least a second region of the baseline surface has, when in use, the respective raised portion having the respective raised portion located at least forward, and / or e) The kick portion has at least a surface facing rearward when in use, and the kick portion has a back hole extending into the kick portion from the at least rearward-facing surface. A traction pad characterized by including at least one of the following.

2. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the kick portion has a different density, or a different rigidity, or a different durometer than the deck portion.

3. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the kick portion has at least a first component and a second component, and the density of the first component is different from the density of the second component.

4. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction pad has the arch portion separated from the kick portion.

5. The traction pad according to claim 4, characterized in that the arch portion separated from the kick portion has at least an arch base and an arch upper portion.

6. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower surface of the pad includes an adhesive coating.

7. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that, at the leading edge of the kick portion, the height difference between the lower surface of the kick and the lower surface of the pad is less than 1.5 mm over a distance of less than 10 mm along the lower surface of the pad.

8. The traction pad according to claim 1, wherein, if the kick portion has a lower surface of the kick that is contoured to accommodate at least partially the contour of the waterboard, the lateral center of the kick portion or the traction pad below the kick portion is at least 1.5 mm higher than the lateral edge of the kick portion or the traction pad.

9. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the traction pad is formed by integrally molding the deck portion and at least the kick portion, or by integrally molding at least the kick portion and the arch portion together with the deck portion, a skin is formed around the traction pad by applying heat.

10. The traction pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the kick portion is molded.

11. When in use on each of the aforementioned raised portions, the proportion of the raised portions in the first region of the baseline surface having each of the aforementioned raised portions located at least to the left is at least 25 percent. At least 25 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the baseline surface has, when in use, the respective raised portion that is positioned at least forward. The traction pad according to claim 1.

12. The traction pad according to claim 11, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned forward to the left when in use on each of the raised portions.

13. The traction pad according to claim 1, wherein at least 45 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned forward to the left when in use on each of the raised portions.

14. The traction pad according to claim 1, wherein, when used on each of the raised portions, a certain percentage of the raised portions in the first region of the baseline surface has a raised portion that is positioned at least to the left, and the percentage is at least 25 percent.

15. The traction pad according to claim 14, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the baseline surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned to the rear right when in use on each of the raised portions.

16. The traction pad according to claim 14, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned to the rear left when in use on each of the raised portions.

17. The traction pad according to claim 14, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the first region of the contoured surface may have the respective raised portion that is positioned forward to the right when in use.

18. The traction pad according to claim 14, wherein, when used on each of the raised portions, a certain percentage of the raised portions in the third region of the baseline surface having each of the raised portions located at least to the right has each of the raised portions located forward to the right, and the percentage is at least 25 percent.

19. The traction pad according to claim 18, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the third region of the baseline surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned to the rear left when in use on each of the raised portions.

20. The traction pad according to claim 1, wherein, when in use on each of the aforementioned raised portions, the proportion of the raised portions in the second region of the baseline surface, each having a raised portion positioned at least forward, is at least 25 percent.

21. The traction pad according to claim 16, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the second region of the baseline surface has the respective raised portion that is positioned at least forward to the left when in use on each of the raised portions.

22. The traction pad according to claim 1, wherein a certain proportion of the raised portion in at least a fourth region of the contoured surface has, when in use, each of the raised portions, the respective raised portion, is positioned at least in the forward direction.

23. The traction pad according to claim 22, wherein, when used on each of the aforementioned raised portions, the proportion of the raised portions in the fourth region of the contoured surface having each of the aforementioned raised portions located at least in the forward direction is at least 25 percent.

24. The traction pad according to claim 23, wherein at least 25 percent of the raised portion in the second region of the contoured surface may have the respective raised portion that is positioned at least forward to the right when in use on each of the raised portions.

25. A certain proportion of the raised portion in the fourth region of the baseline surface has, when in use, the respective raised portion, which is positioned at least in the forward direction. The first region is located to the left of the pad and facing forward of the kick area, The second region is positioned on the front and left side of the pad, The third area is located to the right of the pad and facing forward of the kick area, The fourth region is located on the front and right side of the pad. The traction pad according to claim 1.

26. The kick portion has at least a rearward-facing surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface when in use. The kick portion has a slot that extends substantially longitudinally when in use from at least the rearward-facing surface, either through the upper surface or the lower surface. The slot includes a base that forms the inner edge of the slot. The traction pad according to claim 1.

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