Modular Link Mechanism for Stand-Up Paddle Board Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stand-up paddle boards lack a convenient and stable method for multiple users to transfer items or people between boards or secure multiple boards together, leading to instability when users position themselves off-center or need to rest, limiting social enjoyment and versatility in activities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates elongate link members with connection points on the deck, allowing users to manually move the link members between handle and linkup positions, enabling easy connection of multiple boards to form a stable, extended platform for various activities, with features like D-rings, resilient rails, and compartments for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple paddle boards are connected together to form an extended platform, then stability and versatility for group activities are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into modular components: connection points on individual boards and separate link members that join them. This segmentation allows each board to remain a simple, stable unit while the connection mechanism provides the necessary complexity only when needed for joining boards together.
Solution Approach 2:
Link members serve as intermediary elements between connection points on different boards. These link members simplify the connection process by providing a straightforward mechanical joining mechanism that doesn't require complex alignment or attachment procedures, thereby reducing operational difficulty while achieving stable multi-board configurations.
2Strength
If link members are made rigid for stable connection, then connection strength is improved, but adaptability and ease of manual positioning decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The link members incorporate dynamic characteristics by being flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to bend and adapt to different board positions and angles during manual connection. This flexibility enables users to easily position and connect boards at various orientations while still providing sufficient connection strength to maintain stable joined configurations once connected.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed of a standup paddle (SUP) board comprising a substantially rectangular shape in outline and having a length dimension that is a whole number multiple of its width dimension. A plurality of link members are disposed at spaced-apart locations along the periphery of the board's deck. Each link member can function, in a first configuration, as a handle for the board; and, in a second configuration, as a linkup for connecting the board in abutting relation to one or more other adjacently located, similarly configured standup paddle boards. With a plurality of such boards connected proximate one another in a desired configuration via such links, an extended upper surface is provided that can serve as a substantially stable platform upon which one or more persons can engage in desired activities.