Surfboard

Abstract

The invention essentially consists of replacing the low-density core of a surfboard, which can typically be flooded with water as a result of its spongy nature if the protective layers of the board are damaged, with an extruded polystyrene foam core.

Description

[0001] SURFBOARD

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a surfboard of the type known as "soft" which has a structure that prevents the board from absorbing water inside over time when it suffers a scratch, which negatively affects the weight of the whole.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the practical application of the invention, surfboards are known to be made of low-density materials that give them high buoyancy, so that these materials, being highly spongy, are susceptible to absorbing water inside, as is the case with expanded polystyrene-EPS, for which the board is coated with layers of water-repellent material that prevents this problem.

[0006] However, it is relatively common for the boards to end up hitting some rock or element that could damage this coating, so that through the hole or holes created in said scratch the water gradually enters the core of the board, negatively affecting its weight and therefore its maneuverability.

[0007] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The table proposed by the invention fully and satisfactorily solves the problem described above based on a highly effective structure.

[0009] To that end, and more specifically, the essence of the invention is that the core of the surfboard is obtained from extruded polystyrene-XPS- (foam).

[0010] This core is preferably cut and shaped to obtain two semi-cores that are joined together laterally with the interposition of a profile called a "stringer" (from the English word "stringer"), which can be made of wood, PVC, carbon or another material that achieves the necessary flexibility for each user or conditions of use.

[0011] The water-repellent nature of this material prevents water from being absorbed by the core if the coating layers of said core are damaged.

[0012] The core is coated on both sides, preferably with fiberglass and resin, so that once the inserts for the plugs have been made, a layer of soft foam with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm, such as polyethylene foam, and a layer of hard plastic between 0.5 and 2 mm thick are added to the lower face.

[0013] Finally, the top surface is covered with materials such as EVA foam, polyethylene foam, or PVC foam to give it a soft finish.

[0014] However, the number of coating layers and the order of these layers could vary, without affecting the essence of the invention which, as previously stated, focuses on the use of an extruded polystyrene-XPS core.

[0015] This structure results in a completely water-resistant surfboard, which, even if its protective layers are damaged, prevents water from penetrating the core of the board, thus preventing it from increasing in weight. In addition, the material used for the core has greater mechanical resistance than EPS, which improves the appearance of the board with continued use as it has fewer dents or cracks.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a plan view of the block from which a surfboard is obtained, made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a plan view of a second phase of obtaining the surfboard of the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a view of the two main pieces of the core once they have been shaped and the corresponding stringer has been placed between them.

[0021] Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views from below and above of the finished table core.

[0022] Figure 6 shows, finally, a detail in perspective and in section of the different layers that participate in the table of the invention.

[0023] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As shown in the figures above, and by way of example only, the production of a surfboard begins with a rectangular sheet (1) of extruded polystyrene foam, which is cut lengthwise to obtain two semi-cores (1'-1") that are fixed laterally by means of a profile (2). Sometimes this initial sheet can be a "preformed block" which is processed in the same way as the sheet, being cut lengthwise and both halves being fixed with a profile also called a "stringer".

[0025] This process can be done in three different ways:

[0026] • By cutting the sheet or preformed block, adhering the profile with the desired curve, using pressure.

[0027] Cutting the sheet or preformed block, adhering the profile with the desired curve using heat.

[0028] • Cutting the initial sheet into sections with the desired curve profile and finally gluing all the pieces together (we are talking about an indefinite number depending on the width of the board, it can be three or more).

[0029] As for the method for giving these pieces the appropriate shape, it can be done either by hand or by means of a numerical control (CNC) cutting machine.

[0030] According to figure 6, once the core is obtained, it is coated on both sides with a layer of fiberglass and resin (3), so that once the inserts for the plugs are made, a layer of soft foam (4) with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm is added on the lower face, such as polyethylene foam, and on top of this a layer of hard plastic (5) between 0.5 and 2 mm thick.

[0031] Finally, the top face is covered with a layer of soft material (6) such as EVA foam, polyethylene foam or PVC foam.

Claims

1 a - Surfboard, which being of the type made up of a low-density core, covered with one or more layers of water-repellent material, is characterized by the fact that the core of the board is obtained from extruded polystyrene foam. 2 a - Surfboard, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that the extruded polystyrene foam core includes two semi-cores (T-1 ”) of said material, which are fixed laterally with the interposition of a profile (2), the assembly being covered by a layer of fiberglass and resin (3), it being provided that on the lower face there is a layer of soft foam (4) and on this a layer of hard plastic (5), while the upper face is covered with a layer of soft material (6). 3 a - Surfboard, according to claim 1 a, characterized in that the soft foam layer (4) is made of polyethylene foam with a thickness between 1 and 5 mm. 4 a - Surfboard, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that the hard plastic layer (5) has a thickness between 0.5 and 2 mm. 5 a - Surfboard, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that the soft material layer (6) is made of EVA rubber, polyethylene foam or PVC foam.

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