Inflatable surfboard

Abstract

An inflatable surfboard formed of a top surface and bottom surface having a drop-stitch material coupled therebetween within an interior cavity. Stiffening layers formed of mesh material and adhering resin or adhesive may be provided on the top and bottom, and side edges of the formed surfboard. A stiffening member within the interior cavity is pivotally coupled to the top and bottom surfaces to allow it to pivot between a deployed and folded position.

Description

[0001] INFLATABLE SURFBOARD

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial number 63 / 717,433 filed on November 7, 2024.

[0005] The invention herein disclosed relates generally to sports boards used for water sports. More particularly, it relates to an inflatable surfboard which is formed from flexible top and bottom half sections surrounding a slip stitch interior, which also includes stiffening components to stabilize the surfboard to better accommodate a standing rider.

[0006] 2. Prior Art

[0007] Surfing is a water sport that is enjoyed by individuals around the world. Originating in ancient Polynesian culture, it has evolved into a global phenomenon that attracts millions of enthusiasts.

[0008] The sport of surfing requires skill and balance while standing and moving atop a surfboard, which is configured to allow the user to ride and steer it through the water. Thus, surfboards are essential equipment for surfing, because they are designed and constructed to help riders glide over waves.

[0009] Surfboards are manufactured in many types. Short boards are conventionally from five to seven feet long. They lack the total buoyancy of bigger surfboards but are designed for high performance because their length allows for sharp turns and quick maneuvers.

[0010] Long boards, on the other hand, are conventionally nine feet or longer and somewhat heavier than short boards. Their length renders these boards more stable and easier to paddle, making them a good choice for beginning riders and for riders who enjoy a more relaxed style of surfing on smaller waves, on which long boards are superior in catching.

[0011] Conventionally, many solid surfboards are formed of polyurethane covered with a resin and provide a good ride to the user, but have less durability. Epoxy surfboards are lighter and more durable than polyurethane boards and, by design, are also more buoyant, which makes them a better choice where buoyancy is desirable.

[0012] A more recent configuration for surfboards is those that are inflatable. These inflatable boards are configured to ride in the same fashion as solid core boards, but allow for a more compact storage when not in use. Conventionally, such inflatable surfboards arc formed of an outer shell of waterproof polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which surrounds an interior cavity that includes drop stitch material positioned thereon.

[0013] The forgoing background concerning the conventional manner in which surfboards are configured and used, and any limitations related therewith, are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the inflatable surfboard invention described and claimed herein. Various other limitations of the related art of surfboards are well known or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The disclosed device herein provides for an inflatable surfboard and a method for construction of such, which yields a significant improvement in the stability of the inflatable surfboards.

[0016] Forming the inflatable water sports board device herein is a flexible top surface and bottom surface formed of flexible waterproof material or polymeric material. Currently, by flexible waterproof material or polymeric material herein is meant material which will not pass air, such as PVC material, or thermoplastic polyurethane, laminated polyester, or other flexible planar sheets of material which may be adhered together or fused by heat or sonic welding. An interior cavity is formed in between the flexible top surface and the flexible bottom surface.

[0017] Within this interior cavity may be positioned drop-stitch material in order to provide extra rigidity when the surfboard is inflated and to provide a determined thickness of the board, which is determined by the drop-stitch material. A top layer of the drop-stitch material is adhered or otherwise engaged to the top surface of the surfboard, and a bottom surface of the drop-stitch material is adhered or otherwise fully engaged to the bottom surface of the surfboard. Threads or yarns connected between the top layer and bottom layer of this drop-stitch material provide tension between the top layer and bottom layer of the drop-stitch material and resulting rigidity and stiffness to the surfboard when inflated.

[0018] The inflatable surfboard in all configurations herein may be formed with adhesive material engaging the seams and edges to the top surface and bottom surface. It may also be formed without the use of adhesives, and instead, the surfboard herein may have top and bottom surfaces having seams engaged using adhesive, fusion from heat or sonic welding or similar fusing means to form seams.

[0019] In one configuration of the surfboard herein, configured to enhance rigidity and stiffness to allow for quicker turns and the like while surfing, one or both of the top layer and bottom layer, forming the surfboard, may have extra engaged stiffening layers thereon. In one configuration, a first top stiffening layer up to one-third the width of the surfboard may be adhered to a central area of the top surface and also to the bottom surface in a first bottom stiffening layer. This first stiffening layer on the top and bottom surfaces may be formed of a woven or knitted other otherwise configured mesh material. By mesh material herein is meant any woven, knitted, or non-woven thread or yam material which is formed to the mesh. By thread or yam material herein is meant a high tensile strength thread or yam, such as those formed of carbon fiber, UV resistant black aramid fiber, or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, or quartz fibers, boron fibers, basalt fibers other fiber mesh material which when adhered to the top layer, and / or bottom layer, and / or side rails of the inflatable surfboard with cured resin or adhesive type material, which will provide enhanced rigidity and stiffness to the central area and to the formed surfboard during use.

[0020] As noted on the inflatable surfboard herein, the top surface and bottom surface are formed of flexible material layers that are sealed together along a seam. This seam maybe fomied around the opposing side rails formed upon a circumferential edge of the surfboard. As noted above, in addition to fusing or adhering the top surface to the bottom surface along the seam, the side rails may include a side stiffening layer engaged thereon. This side stiffening layer is formed of the same mesh material as the first stiffening layer and may be adhered or engaged with cured resin, or fused or otherwise engaged on the side rail, and may be engaged over the seam to further reinforce it.

[0021] In the method herein, a flexible top surface and a flexible bottom surface are cut to the desired shape of the inflatable water sports board to be formed. The top surface material is engaged to the bottom surface material at a seam, which may be adhered or fused or otherwise formed to an air-tight seal. In an internal cavity, which is located between the top surface and bottom surface of the surfboard is positioned a section formed of a drop stitch material. This placement of the drop-stitch may be before the scam adhering the top surface to the bottom surface is formed.

[0022] At least one pocket is engaged to the bottom surface to allow for insertion of a fin therein. Two or more pockets may also be engaged.

[0023] At least one inflation valve is placed in a sealed engagement with either the top surface or bottom surface to allow for air to be pumped into and removed from the internal cavity.

[0024] Optionally, a first stiffening layer is engaged to the top surface and bottom surface of the surfboard.

[0025] Optionally, a side stiffening layer is engaged to the sides or rails of the formed surfboard.

[0026] Optionally, secondary stiffening layers are adhered upon the first stiffening layers on the top surface and bottom surface of the surfboard.

[0027] Optionally, a stiffening member is coupled in a folding connection with the top layer of the drop-stitch material or with the top surface of the surfboard and with the bottom surface of the drop-stitch material or the bottom surface of the surfboard.

[0028] With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the inflatable surfboard device herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of operation, nor the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrations in the drawings. The various methods of implementation and operation of the inflatable surfboard device herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0029] Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other inflatable surfboards and for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed inflatable paddle board herein. Therefore, the objects and claims herein should be regarded as including such equivalent construction, steps, and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0030] It is an object of this invention to provide a lightweight and easily transported inflatable surfboard.

[0031] It is a further object of this invention to provide such an inflatable surfboard which includes one or a plurality of top and bottom stiffening layers to increase the rigidity and stiffness of the inflated surfboard.

[0032] It is an additional object of this invention to provide an inflatable surfboard which is formed of a top and bottom surface of flexible material and has a circumferential edge rail of the formed surfboard which includes side stiffening material.

[0033] These, together with other objects and advantages, which become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of the construction and operation of the inflatable surfboard system herein as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings fomiing a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

[0034] Further objectives of this invention will be ascertained by those skilled in the art as brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein a detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURE

[0036] Figure 1 shows an overhead perspective view of the body forming an inflatable surfboard, herein showing a single wide layer of stiffening material adhered to the top surface and bottom surface, which runs substantially the length of the surfboard.

[0037] Figure 2 shows an overhead perspective view of the bottom layer of the body of the surfboard of figure 1.

[0038] Figure 3 is a sectional view through a central portion of the surfboard of figures 1-2, showing drop stitch material positioned within a formed interior cavity and showing adhered layers of stiffening material that runs along the center of the formed surfboard.

[0039] Figure 4 depicts an overhead perspective view of one configuration of the inflatable surfboard herein having multiple layers of stiffening material positioned upon at least the top layer and preferably both the top and bottom layers. Figure 5 depicts a view of the bottom surface of the surfboard of figure 4.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the center of the surfboard of figures 4 and 5, showing drop stitch material within the interior cavity and multiple layers of stiffening material adhered to the top and bottom surfaces.

[0041] Figure 7 depicts a side rail of the inflatable surfboards herein, showing a seam engaging the top surface to the bottom surface.

[0042] Figure 7 A is a sectional view along line 7 A - 7 A of figure 7.

[0043] Figure 8 depicts the side rail of figure 7 having at least one layer of stiffening material adhered thereon.

[0044] Figure 8 A is a sectional view along line 8 A - 8 A of figure 8.

[0045] Figure 9 depicts an example of a sectional view through the inflatable surfboard herein, showing the top layer and bottom layer adhered to opposite sides of the drop-stitch material prior to the engagement of any stiffening layers.

[0046] Figure 10 depicts an additional stiffening member in a deployed position with the surfboard inflated, positioned longitudinally within the interior cavity, which will run substantially the length of the surfboard and which is coupled to the opposing top and bottom layers of the drop-stitch or the surfboard top and bottom surfaces in a manner allowing it to pivot and fold when the surfboard is deflated.

[0047] Figure 11 shows a sectional view through the inflatable surfboards and also shows a pivoting coupling of the stiffening member within the interior cavity, allowing it to move to a folded position, folded flatly within the interior cavity.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

[0049] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0050] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right, and other such terms refer to the surfboard device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Any such terms are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the surfboard has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Now referring to drawings 1-11 , figure 1 and 2 show overhead perspective views of the inflatable surfboard 10 herein, showing a top surface 12 coupled or engaged to the bottom surface 14. The top surface 12 is currently connected in a sealed engagement at a seam 16 (figure 7) which runs circumferentially around a side edge of the formed surfboard 10.

[0051] A valve 17 is in a sealed engagement with either the top surface 12 or the bottom surface 14 to allow inflation of an interior cavity 18 (figure 3) and deflation thereof. Within the interior cavity 18, as shown in figure 3, is positioned drop-stitch material 20 having a top layer 22 coupled with the top surface 12 and a bottom layer 24 thereof coupled with the bottom surface 14. By coupled is meant one component is contacting, adhered to, or fused to the other component in a manner allowing inflation and deflation of the inflatable surfboard 10 with the threads 25 between the layers of drop-stitch material limiting travel distance between top and bottom layers when the surfboard 10 is inflated. It should be noted that the drop-stitch material 20 may also be coupled to extend the threads 25 between the interior surface of the top surface 12 and the interior surface of the bottom surface 14 in some cases, where the drop-stitch material is formed as part of those layers.

[0052] As also shown in figures 1 and 2, a first stiffening layer 26 is adhered to a central area of the top surface 12. A second stiffening layer 28 maybe engaged with a central area of the bottom surface 14. This coupling may be adhered with cured resin, cured adhesive, of other means to adhere or fuse these stiffening layers 26 and 28 to the respective surfaces of the surfboard. Once inflated, these stiffening layers 26 and 28 adhered to a respective surface with cured resin or adhesive forms a fabric member or spine which is stiff and thereby helps limit bending of the surfaces they are engaged with to the sides and upward and downward to help to increase rigidity and stiffness of the surfboard 10 during turning and riding. These and other noted stiffening layers herein may be formed of a woven or knitted, or otherwise configured mesh material, such as fiberglass or polyethylene or polypropylene, or other material as noted above. Such mesh material has openings therein between fibers forming said mesh material. The openings form passages for the resin or adhesive to communicate through the mesh and to the surface of the surfboard on which the stiffening layer is located to better adhere the stiffening layer thereto. The resin or adhesive, upon curing in the opening and over an upper surface of the stiffening layers, forms the stiffening layer to a stiff spine or fabric member formed of the mesh material and cured resin or adhesive.

[0053] Fin pockets 30 arc coupled to the bottom surface 14 to allow for engagement of fins 32 (figure 7) with the surfboard 10.

[0054] Shown in figures 4 and 5 are overhead perspective views of another configuration of the inflatable surfboard 10 herein. As shown, atop the first stiffening layer 26, there are, engaged by adhesive, cured resin, fusing or other engagement means, secondary stiffening layers 34. These secondary stiffening layers 34 are formed of mesh material, noted above. Currently, at least two secondary stiffening layers 34 positioned upon opposing sides of a center area of the surfboard 10 of a width up to twenty- five percent of the width of the first stiffening layer 26 are preferred.

[0055] The positioning of these secondary stiffening layers 34 can be seen in the sectional view of figure 6. As can be seen, the secondary stiffening layers 34 are engaged atop the wider first stiffening layer 26 to form a more rigid spine area in the center area of the inflated surfboard 10 during use when inflated.

[0056] In figure 7 is shown one of the sides or two opposing rails 36 of the inflated surfboard 10 having fins 32 engaged with the fin pockets 30. As shown, the seam 16 is formed to seal the top surface 12 to the bottom surface 14 and form the sealed interior cavity 18. This seam 16 may be located in other positions. However, locating it circumferentially around the surfboard 10 on the side rails 36 is the current preferred position, therefor. The seam 16, as noted, maybe fused using heat or sonic welding or may be formed using adhesive between the two surfaces.

[0057] Shown in figure 8 is a similar view to that of figure 7. However, a layer of side stiffening 38 is engaged atop the material of the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14, forming the side rail 36 connected at the seam 16. The side stiffening 38 is formed of the same mesh material, noted above, and maybe coupled or engaged to the rail 36 section using resin, adhesive, heat, sonic welding or other means for engagement. The side stiffening 38, so positioned, has been shown to further stiffen the surfboard 10 once inflated and yields a better and more controllable ride.

[0058] Depicted in figure 9 is an example of a sectional view through the inflatable surfboard 10 herein showing the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 adhered to opposite sides of the dropstitch material 20. However, in some instances of the surfboard 10 herein, the top surface 12 of the surfboard 10 may be the top layer of the drop-stitch material 20, and the bottom surface 14 of the surfboard 10 may be the bottom layer 24 of the drop-stitch material 20. Shown in figures 10 and 11 is a depiction of an additional stiffening member 40, which is positionablc within the interior cavity 18, preferably in a central area thereof between the opposing sides. This stiffening member 40 may run substantially the length of the surfboard. The stiffening member 40 may be formed of closed-cell, hydrostatic pressure-resistant polyurethane foam, balsa wood, a polymeric sheet, or a similar lightweight material.

[0059] The stiffening member 40 is pivotally coupled at juxtaposed edges in a pivoting coupling 41 with the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14. By pivotally coupled is meant herein that the juxtaposed edges are pivotally coupled to the top and bottom layers of the drop-stitch material 20, which are coupled to the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14, or pivotally coupled to the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 of the surfboard surfaces where those surfaces are coupled to the threads 25 of the drop-stitch material 20.

[0060] This pivoting coupling 41 allows the stiffening member 40 to rotate or pivot at the juxtaposed corner edges from a deployed position with an axis 43 running substantially perpendicular to the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 and to a folded position substantially parallel with the top surface 12 and bottom surface 12 when the surfboard 10 is deflated, such as shown in figures 10-11. Such a pivoting coupling 41, for example, maybe with adhesive or a fusing or using polymeric or other lightweight connectors, or stitching, at the juxtaposed edges of the stiffening member 40 to the top layer 22 and bottom layer 24 of the drop-stitch material 20 or the top surface 12 and bottom surface 14 of the surfboard. As to the term substantially relating to the axis 43 and the positioning thereof it is meant plus or minus 20 degrees from perpendicular or parallel.

[0061] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the inflatable surfboard with stiffening components have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the surfboard invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and equivalent variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable surfboard comprising: said surfboard having a top surface formed of flexible material; said surfboard having a bottom surface formed of said flexible material; said top surface in a sealed engagement to said bottom surface at a seam running circumferentially around a side edge of said surfboard between a front and a rear end of said surfboard; an interior cavity positioned in between said top surface and said bottom surface; drop-stitch material positioned within said interior cavity, said drop-stitch material coupled to said top surface and to said bottom surface; a first stiffening layer formed of mesh material, said first stiffening layer adhered to a central area of said top surface; and an inflation valve coupled to said top surface of said bottom surface, said inflation valve for communicating air into said interior cavity during an inflation of said surfboard.

2. The inflatable surfboard of claim 1, additionally comprising: a second stiffening layer formed of said mesh material adhered to a central area of said bottom surface.

3. The inflatable surfboard of claim 1 , additionally comprising: a side stiffening layer adhered to said side edge, said side stiffening layer formed of mesh material adhered circumferentially around a side edge.

4. The inflatable surfboard of claim 2, additionally comprising: a side stiffening layer adhered to said side edge, said side stiffening layer formed of mesh material adhered circumferentially around a side edge.

5. The inflatable surfboard of claim 1, additionally comprising: a first pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to an upper surface of said first stiffening layer; anda gap between said first pair of stiffening layers, said gap having an area of said upper surface of said first stiffening layer positioned therein.

6. The inflatable surfboard of claim 3, additionally comprising: a first pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to an upper surface of said first stiffening layer; and a gap between said first pair of stiffening layers, said gap having an area of said upper surface of said first stiffening layer positioned therein.

7. The inflatable surfboard of claim 4, additionally comprising: a first pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to an upper surface of said first stiffening layer; and a gap between said first pair of stiffening layers, said gap having an area of said upper surface of said first stiffening layer positioned therein.

8. The inflatable surfboard of claim 2, additionally comprising: a second pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to said second stiffening layer; and a second gap between said second pair of stiffening layers, said second gap having an area of said second stiffening layer positioned therein.

9. The inflatable surfboard of claim 4, additionally comprising: a second pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to said second stiffening layer; and a second gap between said second pair of stiffening layers, said second gap having an area of said second stiffening layer positioned therein.

10. The inflatable surfboard of claim 7, additionally comprising: a second pair of secondary stiffening layers adhered to said second stiffening layer; and a second gap between said second pair of stiffening layers, said second gap having an area of said second stiffening layer positioned therein.11 . The inflatable surfboard of claim 1 , additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

12. The inflatable surfboard of claim 2, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

13. The inflatable surfboard of claim 3, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

14. The inflatable surfboard of claim 4, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said topsurface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

15. The inflatable surfboard of claim 5, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

16. The inflatable surfboard of claim 6, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

17. The inflatable surfboard of claim 7, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with saidsurfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

18. The inflatable surfboard of claim 8, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area of said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

19. The inflatable surfboard of claim 9, additionally comprising: a stiffening member positioned within a central area said interior cavity; said stiffening member being in a pivoting coupling at juxtaposed edges with said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard; and said stiffening member being pivotable between a deployed position with an axis thereof running substantially perpendicular to said top surface and said bottom surface, with said surfboard inflated, and a folded position with said axis thereof running substantially parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface of said surfboard when deflated.

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