Ramped Surfboard Kick Tail for Stable Back-Foot Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surfboard traction pads do not provide adequate support for a surfer's back foot during powerful turns, leading to ankle bending, reduced control, increased slipping risk, and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A traction pad with a kick tail featuring a ramp angled to allow the surfer's back foot to be flat on the ramp with minimal ankle bending, integrated with or separate front pad, and optional arch support, providing enhanced grip and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the kick tail is made narrow and flat to avoid going over the leash plug, then the traction pad can be positioned further back on the surfboard, but the kick tail cannot adequately support the surfer's entire foot
Solution Approach 1:
The kick tail is designed with a ramped surface that angles upward from the surfboard deck, creating a three-dimensional inclined plane. This dimensional change allows the kick tail to extend further back toward the leash plug while providing adequate foot support area, as the ramped surface accommodates the surfer's foot at an optimal angle for powerful turns without requiring the foot to be directly over the leash plug.
2Ease of operation
If the surfer places their foot further forward on the flat part of the traction pad, then they can maintain better foot placement, but the back leg naturally comes forward forcing the surfer to bend their ankle excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The ramped kick tail creates an inclined surface that allows the surfer's foot to be positioned at an optimal angle for powerful turns. This three-dimensional ramp structure enables the surfer to place their foot further back on the ramped surface while maintaining proper leg alignment and minimizing ankle bending, as the ramp angle naturally positions the foot in the correct orientation for executing maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The kick tail surface is changed from a flat horizontal plane to a ramped inclined plane with a specific angle optimized for surfing maneuvers. This parameter change in surface geometry allows the surfer's foot to be positioned at the optimal angle for powerful turns, enabling better leverage and control while reducing the need for excessive ankle bending and minimizing injury risk.
3Power
If the surfer straddles the narrow kick tail with portion of foot on and portion off, then they can attempt powerful turns, but they feel awkward and often slip off the surfboard
Solution Approach 1:
The ramped kick tail provides a three-dimensional inclined surface that is wide and long enough to accommodate the surfer's entire foot, eliminating the need to straddle the edge. This dimensional design allows the surfer to place their foot flat and centered on the ramped surface, providing stable support and confidence to execute powerful turns without the fear of slipping off the board.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is applicable to the field of surfing. Existing traction pads for surfboards have a front pad and a kick tail. Turning the surfboard is easiest with the surfer's foot directly on top of the kick tail, but existing kick tails aren't designed to stand on and don't adequately support the surfer's foot. The present invention is a traction pad comprising a front pad and kick tail with a ramp designed to stand on, and angled so surfers can bend their back leg forward and have the bottom of their back foot flat on the ramp with minimal bending of their ankle required to achieve an optimum angle for surfing. The ramp is of sufficient size to adequately support the surfer's foot while executing a surfing maneuver, and optionally configured with a raised area for arch support for the surfer's back foot.