Carrying box and pump for a stand-up paddle board

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrying box (22) for an inflatable watercraft, in particular a SUP (2) (stand-up paddle board), comprising: - a container (26) that extends in a space spanned by a vertical direction (4), a longitudinal direction (6) transverse to the vertical direction (4), and a transverse direction (8) transverse to the vertical direction (4) and transverse to the longitudinal direction (6), and has a container-receiving space (20) delimited by an upper side (30), a lower side opposite the upper side (30) in the vertical direction (4) and designed as a container floor (28), and a container wall (32) connecting the upper side (30) with the container floor (28), and - a container outer flange (68) that is held on the upper side (30) of the container (26) for fastening the container (26) to the SUP (2) and is directed outwards as seen from the container receiving space (20), characterised by - an inlet opening (56) that is guided through the container floor (28) for admitting air into an interior of the SUP (2), and - at least one wall rib (34) that is held on the container wall (26) and is designed to maintain a wall clearance between a pump (24) that can be accommodated in the container receiving space (20) and the container wall (32).

Description

[0001] Carrying case and pump for a stand-up paddleboard

[0002] The present invention relates to a carrying case and a pump for an inflatable watercraft and a SUP with the carrying case.

[0003] From WO 2018 / 020 308 Al a carrying case for a stand-up paddleboard called a SUP is known according to the preamble of the applicable claim 1.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to improve the known carrying case.

[0005] Starting from a support box for an inflatable watercraft with a container extending in a space defined by a vertical direction, a longitudinal direction transverse to the vertical direction and a transverse direction transverse to the vertical direction and transverse to the longitudinal direction, and having a container receiving space bounded by a top, a bottom opposite the top in the vertical direction and designed as the container floor and a container wall connecting the top to the container floor, and with a held on the top of the container

[0006] The container outer flange for attaching the container to the SUP, which is directed outwards from the container receiving space, comprises, according to the invention, an inlet opening through the bottom for letting air into an interior of the SUP and at least one wall rib held on the container wall, which is arranged to maintain a wall distance between a pump to be received in the container receiving space and the container wall.

[0007] The specified carrying case can be used in any inflatable watercraft, such as stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks or other canoes, inflatable boats, sailboats and the like.

[0008] The design of the carrying case is based on the consideration that conventional carrying cases for SUPs often have the disadvantage that the pump is either permanently installed and cannot be removed after inflating the SUP, or that it is loosely inserted and could fall out during use. This leads either to an unnecessary increase in weight if the pump remains permanently in the SUP, or to a potential impairment of function if the pump is not securely fixed.

[0009] The carrying case addresses this need by designing it so that the pump is securely integrated while the SUP is being inflated, while simultaneously making the case multifunctional once the SUP is inflated. The container's external flange ensures a stable attachment to the SUP, while the inlet through the base allows for direct airflow into the SUP's interior. The wall rib ensures sufficient air intake by maintaining a gap between the pump and the container wall. In addition to these advantages, the carrying case can be used as storage space for personal items such as drinks, towels, or wallets after the SUP is inflated. The closed carrying case protects these items from water and makes the SUP easier and more convenient to use.Another advantage is that the carrying case, due to its design, increases the structural integrity of the SUP and provides additional stability.

[0010] In a further development, the specified support box includes a base rib designed to maintain a gap between the pump and the container floor. This further improves the pump's air intake, as the distance to the container floor ensures that the pump does not rest directly on the ground, thus allowing unimpeded airflow. This contributes to the pump's efficiency and performance and prevents potential blockages or restrictions in the air supply.

[0011] In a further development, the bottom rib and the wall rib are formed as a single piece. This significantly improves the mechanical structure of the support box, as a one-piece rib construction increases strength and stability. This leads to better load distribution and reduces the likelihood of material weaknesses or fractures. Furthermore, it simplifies manufacturing and assembly, as fewer separate parts are required, thus reducing production costs and potential sources of error.

[0012] In a further refinement, the support box comprises at least one, preferably several, additional wall ribs, wherein the wall ribs are arranged rotationally symmetrically to each other around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. This further improves the pump's air intake, as the pump is kept completely spaced from the wall. This ensures a uniform distribution of the airflow and prevents blockages, thereby maximizing the pump's efficiency and performance. Furthermore, the rotationally symmetrical arrangement contributes to the structural integrity of the support box, as it ensures a uniform distribution of mechanical loads.

[0013] In a further development, the support box includes a retaining wall extending around the inlet opening and into the container's receiving space. This wall features a fastening element, preferably an internal thread, for holding a valve into which the pump nozzle can be inserted. This allows the valve to retain air in the SUP while the pump remains removable. The retaining wall offers the advantage of preventing water entering the container's receiving space from penetrating the SUP, effectively protecting its interior from moisture. Furthermore, the valve is replaceable, significantly improving the system's ease of maintenance. This allows for simple servicing and replacement of the valve when necessary, without having to disassemble the entire pump or the support box.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the valve includes an external valve flange on its upper surface (viewed vertically), and the base rib has a recess extending downwards in the area of ​​the receiving opening to accommodate the valve flange. This recess provides a stop against which the valve can be positioned, allowing the pump and the support housing to be aligned so that the nozzle can be inserted precisely into the valve. This ensures a precise and secure connection between the pump and the valve, increasing the efficiency of the air intake and minimizing the risk of leaks. In a further embodiment, the container has an internal flange at the inlet opening that extends inwards from the mounting wall to limit the movement of the valve body. This allows the path of the valve body to be defined, thus increasing the operational reliability of the valve.An additional advantage is that this internal flange prevents the valve body from moving beyond its intended position, thus avoiding potential damage and malfunctions. This contributes to the valve's longevity and reliability.

[0015] In a further development, the carrying case includes an extension, specifically a threaded extension, mounted on the flange of the container's top surface for attaching and holding a lid that closes the container. This extension allows the container to be sealed. This design offers several advantages: First, the lid presses the pump into the interior, securely pressing the nozzle against the valve and ensuring a reliable air supply. Second, the extension enables a watertight seal of the housing, protecting the pump and other electronic components from moisture and water, particularly in wet environments such as on water.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the invention, a pump for insertion into a container receiving space of one of the specified carrying cases comprises a housing extending in a space spanned by a vertical direction, a longitudinal direction transverse to the vertical direction and a transverse direction transverse to the vertical direction and transverse to the longitudinal direction, and having a pump receiving space bounded by a housing cover, a housing base opposite the housing cover in the vertical direction and a housing wall connecting the housing base to the housing cover with several intake openings, wherein a pump mechanism for discharging an airflow through an opening preferably designed as a mouthpiece in the housing base, pump electrical components driving the pump mechanism and an electrical power supply source supplying the pump electrical components with electrical energy, are accommodated in the pump receiving space and an operating switch is held on the housing cover.

[0017] The design of this pump is based on the principle that the airflow is discharged downwards, while the pump is operated from the top. This offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for simple and convenient operation, as the operating switch is easily accessible on the top of the pump. Furthermore, the arrangement of the intake openings in the housing wall ensures an efficient air supply, maximizing the pump's performance. Additionally, the downward airflow ensures a direct and loss-free supply of air to the SUP, reducing inflation time and increasing efficiency. Finally, integrating the pump's electrical components and power supply within the pump housing results in a compact design that minimizes space requirements and simplifies handling.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a stand-up paddleboard called a SUP comprises an inflatable chamber enclosed by an outer skin to which one of the specified carrying boxes is held, wherein a specified pump is inserted into the container receiving space of the carrying box.

[0019] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of part of a stand-up paddleboard with a carrying case and a pump that can be inserted into the carrying case.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows the carrying case in a perspective sectional view, and the pump of Fig. 1 and a lid for closing the carrying case in a perspective full view.

[0022] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the carrying case from Figs. 1 and 2.

[0023] The figures use identical technical elements with the same reference symbols and describe them only once. The figures are purely schematic and, above all, do not represent the actual geometric relationships.

[0024] Reference is made to Fig. 1, which shows a stand-up paddleboard called SUP 2 in a space spanned by a vertical direction 4, a longitudinal direction 6 perpendicular to the vertical direction 4 and a transverse direction 8 perpendicular to the vertical direction 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 6.

[0025] The SUP 2 is a water sports device designed as a floating, flat platform 10, which serves to carry a user in the

[0026] Carrying it in the direction of altitude 4 while standing and moving forward using a paddle (not shown).

[0027] The platform 10 of the SUP 2 consists of a standing surface 12, viewed in the vertical direction 4, and a water-bearing surface arranged opposite the standing surface 12 in the vertical direction 4, which is not shown further in Fig. 1. This water-bearing surface is in contact with the water during use and ensures the buoyancy of the SUP 2. A circumferential lateral SUP shell 14 connects the standing surface 12 to the water-bearing surface and contributes to the shape and strength of the SUP 2.

[0028] The standing surface 12, water contact area, and SUP cover 14 are part of an outer skin 16 that encloses an inflatable air chamber (not shown in Fig. 1). The air chamber gives the SUP 2 its shape and rigidity when inflated and is accessible via a valve 18 through which air can be added and released. The outer skin is made of a robust, film-like plastic material that offers both lightness and durability.

[0029] The SUP 2 can also be equipped with additional elements not shown, such as fins on the water surface, to improve stability and directional stability in the water. The entire construction of the SUP 2 is designed to evenly distribute the weight of the user standing on the platform 12 and ensure a stable and safe paddling experience.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the valve 18 is arranged in a container receiving compartment 20 of the carrying case 22, into which a pump 24 can be inserted. The container receiving compartment 20 is located in a container 26 with a container bottom 28 viewed from the underside in the vertical direction 4 and an open container top 30 opposite the container bottom 28 in the vertical direction 4, which are connected to each other by a container wall 32. Several wall ribs 34, aligned in the vertical direction 4, are held on the container wall 32. For inflating the SUP 2, the pump 24 has a nozzle 36 on its underside, viewed in the vertical direction 4, which can be seen in the perspective of Fig. 2. The pump 24 has a housing 38, which is only visible in Fig. 2 through a nozzle 36 on its underside, viewed in the vertical direction 4.The housing is limited by a base 40, a housing cover 42 opposite the base 40 in the height direction 4, and a housing wall 44 connecting the base 40 and the housing cover 42.

[0031] The housing wall 44 of the pump housing has slots 46, of which only two are shown with a reference numeral in Fig. 1 for clarity. The slots 46 open the housing 38 to an interior space (not shown in the figures) which houses a pump mechanism, an electrical system driving the pump mechanism, and an electrical power supply for the pump electrical system.

[0032] The pump's electrical system consists of various electronic components responsible for controlling and driving the pump's mechanics. It includes control circuits that receive signals from a switch 48 located on the housing cover, and motor controllers that regulate the power supply to an electric motor. The electric motor itself converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is necessary to set the pump's mechanics in motion. The pump's electrical system ensures that the pump operates efficiently and reliably by controlling the motor's speed and operating status.

[0033] The pump mechanism consists of the mechanical components directly responsible for generating an airflow. This typically includes a piston or diaphragm driven by the motor's movement. The piston or diaphragm moves within a cylinder to draw in air through the slots 46 and pressurize it, which is then directed through the nozzle 36 into the air chamber of the SUP 2. The pump mechanism is designed to achieve high pressure output and maintain a continuous and even airflow.

[0034] The electrical power supply that powers the pump's electronics can consist of batteries or rechargeable batteries. This power source is housed inside the casing and provides the necessary electrical energy to operate the pump's electronics and electric motor. An efficient power supply is crucial to ensure that the pump has sufficient operating time and can perform its tasks without interruption.

[0035] Switch 48 is used to turn the pump on and off. When the switch is activated, it turns on the pump's electrical system, which starts the electric motor. The electric motor then drives the pump mechanism, which generates the airflow through the mouthpiece 36. The mouthpiece 36 is thus the point of entry through which the generated airflow exits the pump and enters the SUP's air chamber to inflate it. This coordinated function of the pump's electrical system, pump mechanism, and electrical power supply ensures an efficient and user-friendly inflation system for the SUP.

[0036] Furthermore, a charging port, routed through the housing 38 and not visible, can be arranged on the pump 24 to recharge the electrical power supply after the SUP 2 has been inflated. In addition to the switch 48, handle elements 50 are molded into the housing cover 42; these will be discussed in more detail later.

[0037] Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3, which will be used to describe the carrying case 22 and the pump 24 in more detail.

[0038] Container 26 has bottom ribs 52, which are held at the container bottom 28 and directed into the container receiving area 20. Each bottom rib 52 is formed integrally with one of the wall ribs 34. The individual rib combinations 34, 52 are arranged rotationally symmetrically about a rotational symmetry axis 54 oriented in the vertical direction 4. This means that the arrangement of the rib combinations recurs regularly when rotated about the rotational symmetry axis 54, but does not necessarily exhibit continuous rotational symmetry.

[0039] Rotational symmetry means that the object can be brought into a position indistinguishable from its original position by a specific number of rotations (e.g., by 90°, 120°). The rib combinations 34 and 52 are arranged such that they are congruent when rotated around the axis of rotational symmetry in specific angular increments. This enables a uniform distribution of mechanical loads and improves the structural integrity of the container.

[0040] In contrast, rotational symmetry refers to continuous symmetry about an axis. An object with rotational symmetry remains unchanged under any rotation about its axis of rotation. A cylinder or a sphere are typical examples of bodies with rotational symmetry, as they remain unchanged under any rotation about their axis. An inlet opening 56 passes through the container bottom 28, which in the present embodiment is concealed by a valve body 58 of the valve 18 and is therefore not visible. The valve 18 itself is constructed analogously to the valve described in DE 10 2015 105 719 A1, which is why its construction will not be discussed in detail.

[0041] A retaining wall 60 is erected around the inlet opening 56 and is supported against the container bottom 28 by means of support ribs 62. An internal thread (not further referenced) is formed on this wall, into which an external thread of the valve 18, as known from DE 10 2015 105 719 Al, can be screwed.

[0042] Each bottom rib 52 has a recess 64 on its side facing the inlet opening 56 at the upper corner as seen in the vertical direction 4, which forms a bearing shoulder for a valve flange 66 of the valve 18. In operation, the valve is therefore screwed into the retaining wall 60 until the valve flange 66 rests on the recess 64 opposite to the vertical direction 4.

[0043] Once the valve 18 is screwed in and the inlet opening 56 is closed to prevent air from escaping, the pump 24 is inserted into the container receiving space 20. The wall rib 34 guides the housing 38 of the housing wall 44, allowing the nozzle 36 to be inserted precisely into the valve 18. The nozzle 18 is designed as a male bayonet locking element, as required for the bayonet closure according to DE 10 2015 105 719 A1. As soon as the nozzle 36 is axially inserted into the valve 18, the bayonet closure can be tightened by turning the pump 24 using the handle elements 50. In this way, the pump is not only securely held in the container receiving space 20, but a secure, airtight connection between the pump 24 and the valve 18 is also established.

[0044] To attach the container 26, and thus the carrying case 22, to the SUP 2, the container 26 has a container flange 68 on its upper side as viewed in the vertical direction 4. This flange is bonded to the outer skin 16 from the inside of the SUP 2, opposite to the vertical direction 4, so that the bead 70 shown in Fig. 1 is formed. Bonding the container 26 to the outer skin 16 from the inside of the SUP 2 increases the mechanical stability of the connection, because when the SUP 2 is inflated, the container flange 68 is pressed against the outer skin 16.

[0045] From the container flange 68, a container external thread 74 extends in the vertical direction, onto which a cover 76 is fitted.

[0046] The container compartment 20 can be closed by screwing it shut.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Carrying case (22) for an inflatable watercraft, in particular a SUP (2) called a stand-up paddleboard, comprising - a container (26) extending in a space defined by a vertical direction (4), a longitudinal direction (6) transverse to the vertical direction (4) and a transverse direction (8) transverse to the vertical direction (4) and transverse to the longitudinal direction (6), and having a container receiving space (20) bounded by a top (30), a bottom opposite the top (30) in the vertical direction (4) and designed as a container bottom (28), and a container wall (32) connecting the top (30) with the container bottom (28), and - a container outer flange (68) held on the top (30) of the container (26) for attaching the container (26) to the SUP (2), which is directed outwards from the container receiving space (20), characterized by - an inlet opening (56) through the container floor (28) for letting air into an interior space of the SUP (2), and - at least one wall rib (34) held on the container wall (26), which is designed to maintain a wall distance between a pump (24) to be accommodated in the container receiving space (20) and the container wall (32).

2. Support box (22) according to claim 1, comprising a bottom rib (52) which is arranged to maintain a ground clearance between the pump (24) and the container bottom (28).

3. Support box (22) according to claim 2, wherein the bottom rib (52) and the wall rib are formed in one piece.

4. Support box (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one, preferably several further wall ribs (34), wherein the wall ribs (34) are arranged rotationally symmetrically to each other about a rotation axis (54) formed in the vertical direction (4).

5. Carrying box (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a retaining wall (60) extending around the inlet opening (56) into the container receiving space (20), with a fastening means preferably designed as an internal thread for holding a valve (18) into which a nozzle (36) held on the pump (24) can be inserted.

6. Carrying box (22) according to claim 5, wherein the valve (18) comprises a valve outer bottle (66) on its upper side as seen in the vertical direction and the bottom rib (52) has a recess (64) extending towards the container bottom (28) in the area of ​​the inlet opening (56) for receiving the valve bottle (66).

7. Carrying box (22) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the container (26) has an inner flange extending inwards from the retaining wall (60) at the inlet opening (56) to limit the movement of a valve body (58) of the valve (18).

8. Support box (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a projection (74) mounted on the top (30) of the container (26) on the outer flange (68) of the container, in particular designed as a threaded projection, for mounting and holding a lid (76) with which the container (26) can be closed.

9. Pump (24) for insertion into a container receiving space (20) of one of the carrying cases (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (38) which is located in a The space extends in the vertical direction (4), a longitudinal direction (6) transverse to the vertical direction (4), and a transverse direction (8) transverse to the vertical direction (4) and transverse to the longitudinal direction (8), and has a pump receiving chamber which is bounded by a housing cover (42), a housing base (40) opposite the housing cover (42) in the vertical direction (4), and a housing wall (44) connecting the housing base (40) to the housing cover (42) with several intake openings (46), wherein a pump mechanism for outputting an airflow through an opening in the housing base (40) preferably designed as a mouthpiece (36), a pump electrical system driving the pump mechanism, and an electrical power supply source supplying the pump electrical system with electrical energy are accommodated in the pump receiving chamber, and an operating switch (48) is held on the housing cover (42).

10. Standup paddle board (2) comprising an inflatable chamber enclosed by an outer skin (16) on which a carrying case (22) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 is held, wherein a pump according to claim 9 can be inserted, preferably is inserted, into the container receiving space (20) of the carrying case (22).

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