Body Board Side Risers and Pivotable Front for Hand-Free Paddling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Body boards are difficult to control and require riders to hold on with their hands, preventing them from paddling effectively, making it challenging for novices to catch waves.
Innovation Solution
A body board design featuring side risers that adjust and fold for better grip and adjustability, allowing riders to lay on the board without holding it, with cutouts for arm movement and a pivotable front half for easier wave navigation, and integrated pontoons for increased buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional flat body board is used, then the board is simple and easy to manufacture, but the rider must hold onto the board with their hands to prevent it from slipping away, preventing them from paddling
Solution Approach 1:
The board is segmented into multiple functional zones: side risers extending from the sides, a recessed top surface, and a front half that can be pivotally connected to the rear half. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific function - the side risers provide grip, the recessed surface provides stability, and the pivotable front half enables wave navigation - while collectively solving the problem of hand-free paddling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional flat two-dimensional board to a three-dimensional structure with side risers that extend upward and a recessed top surface. This dimensional change creates multiple interaction points with the rider's body - the risers engage with the sides of the body and the recessed surface cradles the torso - providing secure positioning without requiring hand grip
2Productivity
If the board structure is made more complex with side risers and cutouts, then riders can swim and paddle without holding the board, but the manufacturing and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front half of the board is designed to be pivotably connected to the rear half, creating a dynamic structure that can adapt to different wave conditions and rider positions. This pivotable connection allows the board to flex and rotate for easier wave navigation while maintaining structural integrity, improving wave catching efficiency without requiring complex permanent fixtures
Solution Approach 2:
The side risers are designed to be foldable and storable within or against the body of the board when not in use. This nesting capability allows the complex three-dimensional structure to be collapsed into a more compact form for storage and transport, reducing the practical impact of the increased structural complexity
3Reliability
If side risers are added to grip the rider's body, then the rider is secured to the board without holding it, but the board width and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side risers are designed to be foldable and movable, allowing them to be positioned outward when needed for rider grip and stability, then folded inward or against the board body for storage and transport. This dynamic configuration enables the board to transition between a compact storage state and an expanded operational state with full rider support
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables riders to swim and paddle without holding the board, improving control and propulsion, allowing for easier wave catching and faster movement through the water.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant board body defined as comprising a top rider surface opposite a bottom submerged surface
Data Source
AI summary
A body board for use by a rider in water includes a buoyant board body defined as having a top rider surface opposite a bottom submerged surface, a front half opposite a rear half, a left half opposite a right half and a board centerline. The board centerline extends from the front section half to the rear section half separating the left half from the right half. A left side riser is disposed on the top rider surface located in the left half and rear half, the left side riser extending above the top rider surface and configured to abut a rider's left rib cage and/or left hip. A right side riser is disposed on the top rider surface located in the right half and rear half, the right side riser extending above the top rider surface and configured to abut a rider's right rib cage and/or right hip.