WO2014164522A1

WO2014164522A1 - Inflatable watercraft with motorized cassette

Info

Publication number: WO2014164522A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/022687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mike R. Railey
Original assignee: Boomerboard, Llc
Priority date: 2013-03-12
Filing date: 2014-03-10
Publication date: 2014-10-09

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an inflatable personal watercraft. An inflatable body may have a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may include a first recess shaped to receive a bodyboard. The bodyboard may include a bottom surface having a second recess and a motorized cassette disposed within the second recess. The motorized cassette may include batteries, motors, and impellors. The bodyboard may be secured within the inflatable watercraft.

Description

INFLATABLE WATERCRAFT WITH MOTORIZED CASSETTE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/777,346 filed on March 12, 2013, entitled "INFLATABLE WATERCRAFT WITH MOTORIZED CASSETTE," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a motor driven watercraft. In particular, disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods related to an inflatable stand up paddleboard that may be propelled by an electric motor.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Surfing is the sport of riding a surfboard on the face of an ocean wave towards the shoreline. Jet powered surfboards have been devised and utilized for the purpose of surfing without waves such as in lakes or other calm waters. Several types of motorized water boards in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,634 to Jung; U.S. Pat. No. 6,409, 560 to Austin; U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,840 to Efthymiou; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,166 to Chang; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,782 to Gleason. Another powered surfboard design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,329 to Railey. This device uses small electric motors to provide power while maintaining traditional surfboard performance.

SUMMARY

[0004] The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled "Detailed Description," one will understand how the features of this disclosure provide several advantages over other watercraft.

[0005] In some aspects, an inflatable personal watercraft comprises an inflatable body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may include a first recess shaped to receive a bodyboard. The bodyboard may be disposed within the first recess. The bodyboard may include a bottom surface including a second recess and a motorized cassette disposed within the second recess. The motorized cassette may contain at least one battery, at least one electric motor, and at least one impellor. The motorized cassette may include a water inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet and the water outlet may be positioned on the bottom side of the cassette. The first recess may include an outwardly extending protrusion from an interior wall of the recess. A bodyboard may be disposed within the first recess. The body board may include an indentation for receiving the outwardly extending protrusion. One or more flaps may extend from the bottom surface and over at least a portion of the first recess. A bodyboard may be disposed within the first recess and the flaps may extend over at least a portion of the bottom surface of the bodyboard.

[0006] In some aspects, a personal watercraft system comprises a motorized cassette enclosing at least one battery operatively coupled to at least one electric motor, a flotation device comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a first recess for receiving and securing the motorized cassette, and an inflatable body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a second recess for receiving and securing the flotation device. The bottom surfaces of the motorized cassette, the flotation device, and the inflatable body, may have substantially no outwardly protruding parts other than fins. The flotation device may include one or more fin boxes configured to receive one or more fins. The motorized cassette may include an air pump for inflating the inflatable body.

[0007] In some aspects, a method of securing a flotation device within an inflatable watercraft comprises providing an inflatable watercraft having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recess in the bottom surface, inserting a flotation device into the recess, and inflating the inflatable watercraft.

[0008] In some aspects, an inflatable personal watercraft comprises an inflatable body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a first recess shaped to receive a bodyboard and a means for securing the bodyboard within the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following is a brief description of each of the drawings. From FIG. to FIG., the same reference numerals have been used to designate the same components of an illustrated embodiment. The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments. They do not set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal watercraft including an embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a surfboard.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the motorized cassette received in the bottom recess of the surfboard of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the surfboard FIGS. 1 and 2 including a non-motorized cassette received in the bottom recess of the surfboard of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the personal watercraft of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a personal watercraft including another embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a surfboard.

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the personal watercraft of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a personal watercraft including an embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a bodyboard.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the motorized cassette of FIGS. 5-7.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of the motorized cassette of

FIG. 8.

[0019] FIGS. 10A-10D are perspective views of an inflatable watercraft according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the inflatable watercraft of FIGS. 10A-10D further including a bodyboard received in a bottom recess of the inflatable watercraft.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a personal watercraft including one embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a bodyboard received within a bottom recess of an inflatable watercraft.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of FIG. 13.

[0024] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a personal watercraft including one embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a bodyboard received within a bottom recess of an inflatable watercraft. [0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of FIG. 14.

[0026] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a personal watercraft including one embodiment of a motorized cassette received in a bottom recess of a bodyboard received within a bottom recess of an inflatable watercraft.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Traditionally, the sport of surfing comprises a rider ("surfer") "paddling out" by lying prone on the surfboard and paddling away from the shoreline towards a point at which waves are cresting; turning to face the shoreline; paddling quickly towards the shoreline when a wave begins to crest so as to "catch the wave"; and "riding the wave" on the surfboard propelled by the wave towards the shoreline in a prone, sitting, or standing position. When riding a wave, a surfer may turn the surfboard towards or away from different parts of the cresting wave depending on the preference and skill of the surfer. Subsequently, the surfer must paddle out and repeat the process of catching and riding waves. After catching and riding waves for a period of time, the rider may ride a wave all the way to the shoreline, or may "paddle in" by lying prone on the surfboard and paddling towards the shoreline.

[0029] Similar to surfing, "bodyboarding" or "boogieboarding" typically comprises a rider propelling himself through the water by paddling and/or kicking while lying face down on a relatively short board or "bodyboard." Bodyboards are typically made from foam. In some instances, bodyboards are constructed as foam cores that are encapsulated by more rigid plastics.

[0030] Stand-up paddling or stand-up paddle boarding is an activity in which a rider propels a watercraft with a paddle from a standing position atop the watercraft. Stand-up paddle ("SUP") boards are often wider and thicker than a traditional surfboard. SUP boards may be constructed similarly to surfboards. However, because of their bulk, some SUP boards are inflatable. In this way, the deflated board can be folded over itself and packed in a bag to occupy less space. The deflated board can later be inflated with a hand pump. SUP boards can also be used to surf waves. Inflatable SUP boards can be made of materials known in the art and may include carbon fiber materials.

[0031] Propelling any of the above or similar watercraft can be tiring and time consuming to the rider and can thus limit the rider's energy and time for riding waves. Thus, advantageous embodiments of the present invention preserve a rider's maximum energy for riding waves rather than exhausting energy on paddling. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention also assist in catching waves by providing additional speed to the surfer, body-boarder, or paddle -boarder when catching a wave.

[0032] In some advantageous embodiments, a motorized drive system is provided as a separately housed cassette. The cassette may house batteries, motors, control electronics, impellers, and associated drive hardware. This design has many significant advantages. It simplifies the construction of the surfboard and/or bodyboard in which the cassette is used. It may be made removable and/or exchangeable. Such a cassette may also be used in a variety of watercraft, not just in surfboards. In addition, the cassettes disclosed herein can provide additional thrust to a watercraft without affecting the traditional characteristics of the watercraft. For example, while a surfboard having a motorized cassette can provide additional thrust, the overall performance and/or ride of the surfboard can be similar to a surfboard having a non-motorized cassette and/or a traditional surfboard.

[0033] In some advantageous embodiments, a SUP board may comprise a recess. The SUP board may be an inflatable SUP board. The recess can act as a receiving space for a rigid flotation device. In some embodiments, the recess is sized and shaped to receive a bodyboard. However, the recess for receiving a rigid flotation device may be any suitable size and shape. For example, in some embodiments, the recess for receiving a rigid flotation device is shaped to receive a surfboard. In some embodiments, the inflatable SUP board can have more than one recess for receiving a rigid flotation device. The rigid floatation device may also include a recess. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the rigid floatation device may comprise a bodyboard having a recess therein. The recess in the rigid floatation device may be sized and shaped to receive a motorized and/or non-motorized cassette.

[0034] The systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein can provide a user with many options and configurations for enjoying a watercraft. For example, the system can be configured as a non-motorized bodyboard, a non-motorized SUP board, a non- motorized surf board, a motorized bodyboard, a motorized SUP board, or a motorized surf board. In addition, the system may fit within a relatively small space, in the trunk of an automobile for example, and may eliminate the need for a surfboard rack. In some embodiments, the use of a bodyboard placed within an inflatable SUP board reduces the amount of air needed to inflate the SUP board. [0035] These, as well as, other various aspects, components, steps, features, objects benefits, and advantages will now be described with reference to specific forms or embodiments selected for the purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated that the spirit and scope of the inventions disclosed herein is not limited to the selected forms. Moreover, it is to be noted that the figures provided herein are not drawn to any particular proportion or scale, and that many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments.

[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a personal watercraft comprising a first embodiment of a motorized cassette 1020 and a surfboard body 1000 is shown. The body 1000 comprises a top side 1004 and a bottom side 1002. In other embodiments, the body 1000 may comprise other traditionally non-powered watercrafts including, for example, inflatable watercrafts, dinghies, life rafts, tenders, sail boards, SUP boards, kayaks, and canoes. The body 1000 may be constructed by affixing a top shell to a bottom shell or may be constructed using other various methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The body 1000 may optionally comprise one or more fin boxes 1010 configured to receive one or more fins 1012.

[0037] Turning now to FIG. 2, the bottom side 1002 of the body 1000 may comprise a recess 1008 configured to receive a cassette 1020 therein. The recess 1008 may extend from the bottom surface 1002 toward the top surface 1004 and comprise a generally convex shaped depression in the bottom surface 1002 of the body 1000. In one embodiment, the recess 1008 forms a tear-drop shaped aperture in the bottom surface 1002. The tear-drop shaped aperture may be complimentary to the shapes of an insert 1014 and/or cassette 1020 such that the insert 1014 and/or cassette 1020 can be oriented and/or positioned in a desired configuration within the recess 1008. As explained in further detail below, the insert can be useful because it can include desired features such as flanges, threaded holes for fastener engagement, and the like that can be used to, among other things, secure the cassette in the recess of the surfboard. This allows the shell of the surfboard itself to be entirely made with smooth and gently rounded surfaces in and around the recess 1008 and without sharp corners, holes, or other features that require difficult manufacturing processes. This makes the production of the surfboard 1000 itself very easy and requires minimal changes to the process of manufacturing a conventional surfboard.

[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the insert 1014 may comprise a solid or substantially ring-shaped sheet structure configured to cover at least a portion of the recess 1008. The insert 1014 may be coupled to the recess 1008 using various coupling means, for example, adhesives, bonding agents, and/or fasteners. In some embodiments, by virtue of the complimentary shapes of the insert 1014 and the recess 1008, the insert 1014 may be form fitted within the recess 1008 such that the engagement therebetween inhibits longitudinal, lateral, and/or transverse motion of the insert 1014 relative to the recess 1008. When disposed within the recess 1008, the insert 1014 can define a receiving space 1016 for receiving the cassette 1020. In some embodiments, the insert 1014 may comprise one or more relatively small flanges or protrusions (not shown) extending into the receiving space 1016. The one or more flanges can be configured to engage one or more mating grooves (not shown) disposed in the cassette 1020. In one embodiment, a flange extends from a forward most portion of the insert 1014 into the receiving space 1016 and the forward most portion of the cassette 1020 includes a corresponding groove. In this way, the cassette 1020 may releasably engage the insert 1014 to align and hold the front of the cassette 1020 relative to the insert 1014 and body 1000. As shown in FIG. 1, the base surface 1022 of the cassette 1020 may be configured to substantially match the adjacent base surface 1002 of the body 1000 to achieve a desired hydrodynamic profile of the personal watercraft.

[0039] The cassette 1020 may be releasably coupled to the insert 1014 and recess 1008 by one or more fasteners 1060. In one embodiment, the insert 1014 includes an internally threaded bore 1062 configured to threadably engage a portion of a threaded fastener 1060, for example, a screw, that passes through a corresponding aperture 1024 formed in the cassette 1020. In another embodiment, a threaded bore is disposed in the body 1000 and configured to engage a portion of threaded fastener 1060. In one embodiment, a groove on a first end of the cassette 1020 may releasably receive at least a portion of a corresponding flange extending from the insert 1014 and the second end of the cassette 1020 may be fastened to the insert/body by fastener 1060 to restrict longitudinal, lateral, and/or transverse motion of the cassette 1020 relative to the recess 1008. As discussed in more detail below, the receiving space 1016 may be configured to releasably receive various different cassettes that are similarly shaped to cassette 1020.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the removable cassette 1020 may comprise a drive system for the personal watercraft. In one embodiment, the drive system components are housed within the cassette 1020. For example, the cassette 1020 may comprise one or more exhaust ports 1026, one or more pump housings 1028, one or more motor shafts 1030, one or more motors (not shown), one or more batteries (not shown), and/or one or more impellers (not shown). Thus, cassette 1020 may propel the body 1000 relative to a body of water, for example, to aid in paddling out a surfboard and catching waves.

[0041] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the personal watercraft comprising a second embodiment of a cassette 1040 received within body 1000. Cassette 1040 may be similarly shaped to cassette 1020 of FIGS. 10 and 11 such that both cassettes fit tightly within the receiving space 1016 formed by insert 1014. Cassette 1040 may be releasably coupled to the body 1000 by one or more threaded fasteners 1060 and/or the engagement between a flange extending from the insert and a groove in the cassette 1040. As shown, fastener 1060 may pass through an aperture 1034 in the cassette 1040 and be received within threaded bore 1062 in insert 1014.

[0042] In contrast to cassette 1020 of FIGS. 1 and 2, cassette 1040 may be un- powered or non-motorized. In some embodiments, the cassette 1040 may be hollow and may enclose a storage space configured to store personal items, for example, sun screen, watercraft hardware, keys, mobile phones, etc. In one embodiment, the storage space may be substantially water tight to protect items stored therein from the ingress of water from a body of water, for example, the ocean. In other embodiments, the cassette 1040 may be substantially solid such that the watercraft has generally uniform buoyancy and/or rigidity characteristics from the front end to the back end.

[0043] The cassette 1020 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the cassette 1040 of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be interchanged to convert the body 1000 between a motorized configuration (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a non-motorized configuration (FIGS. 3 and 4). The body 1000 may come as a kit with one or both of the motorized cassette 1020 and the non-motorized cassette 1040. A user may switch between cassettes 1020 and 1040 depending on water conditions and/or desired performance characteristics of the personal watercraft. For example, a user may wish to lower the overall mass characteristic of the personal watercraft by opting to place the non-motorized cassette 1040 within the body 1000 or a user may wish to minimize human energy used in a surf session by opting to place the motorized cassette 1020 within the body 1000.

[0044] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a personal watercraft comprising a motorized cassette 1620 and a watercraft body 1600 is shown. The body 1600 comprises a top side 1604 and a bottom side 1602. In some embodiments, the body 1600 may comprise a surfboard and in other embodiments the body 1600 may comprise other various watercrafts. Similar to the personal watercraft of FIGS. 1-4, the body 1600 may be constructed by affixing a top shell to a bottom shell as discussed above or may be constructed using other various methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The body 1600 may optionally comprise one or more fin boxes 1610 configured to receive one or more fins 1612.

[0045] Turning now to FIG. 6, the bottom side 1602 of the body 1600 may comprise a recess 1608 configured to receive a cassette 1620 therein. The recess 1608 may extend from the bottom surface 1602 toward the top surface 1604 and comprise a generally convex shaped depression in the bottom surface 1602 of the body 1600. In one embodiment, the recess 1608 forms a tear-drop shaped aperture in the bottom surface 1602. The tear-drop shaped aperture may be complimentary to the shapes of the insert 1614 and/or cassette 1620 such that the insert 1614 and/or cassette 1620 can be oriented and/or positioned in a desired configuration within the recess 1608.

[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 6, the insert 1614 may comprise a solid or substantially ring-shaped sheet structure configured to cover at least a portion of the recess 1608. The insert 1614 may be coupled to the recess 1608 using various coupling means, for example, adhesives, bonding agents, and/or fasteners. In some embodiments, by virtue of the complimentary shapes of the insert 1614 and the recess 1608, the insert 1614 may be form fitted within the recess 1608 such that the engagement therebetween inhibits longitudinal, lateral, and/or transverse motion of the insert 1614 relative to the recess 1608. When disposed within the recess 1608, the insert 1614 can define a receiving space 1616 for receiving the cassette 1620.

[0047] In some embodiments, the insert 1614 may include one or more protrusions 1651 configured to be inserted into one or more indentations 1659 (shown in FIG. 7) on the cassette 1620. The protrusions 1651 and indentations 1659 on the cassette 1620 can have complimentary shapes such that the protrusions may be received by the indentations by sliding the cassette 1620 forward longitudinally relative to the insert 1614. The engagement of the protrusions 1651 and corresponding indentations can result in one or more abutments that act to arrest or inhibit longitudinal, lateral, and/or transverse movement of the cassette 1620 relative to the insert 1614 and body 1600.

[0048] The insert 1614 may also include a latch element 1653 that is cantilevered from a latch plate 1655. The latch element 1653 may catch one or more surfaces within a receptacle 1661 (shown in FIG. 7) on the cassette 1620 when the cassette 1620 is received within the insert 1614 to secure the cassette 1620 in the longitudinal direction relative to the insert 1614. In this way, the cassette 1620 may be slid forward into the insert 1614 until the latch 1653 releasably engages a notch or other feature on the cassette such that the cassette 1620 is aligned and secured relative to the insert 1614. To remove the cassette 1620 from the insert 1614, the latch element 1653 may be depressed by applying a force to the cantilevered end of the latch element 1653 to disengage the latch element from the notch or other feature of the cassette. Disengaging the latch element 1653 then will allow a user to slide the cassette 1620 backward longitudinally relative to the insert 1614 to release the protrusions 1651 from the indentations 1659 and to remove the cassette 1620 from the body 1600.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the base surface 1622 of the cassette 1620 may be configured to substantially match the adjacent base surface 1602 of the body 1600 to achieve a desired hydrodynamic profile of the personal watercraft. The base surface 1622 may also include a charging port 1631 and/or activation switch 1633. Thus, the cassette 1620 may be charged when the cassette is coupled to the watercraft body 1600 or when it is separate from the watercraft body. In embodiments when these are provided, the charger port 1631 can be disposed on an opposite side of the cassette 1620 and the activation switch 1633 can be disposed elsewhere as well if desired.

[0050] Similar to FIGS. 5-6, FIG. 7 illustrates a personal watercraft comprising an insert 1614, a motorized cassette 1620, and a watercraft body 700. Alternatively, other motorized or non-motorized cassettes and means of mounting may be utilized with the watercraft body 700. Motorized and/or non-motorized cassettes may be placed in different watercraft bodies that have recesses configured to receive the cassette. For example, a motorized cassette can be configured to fit within a recess in the body of a surfboard and a similarly shaped recess in the body of a bodyboard such that a user may use the same motorized cassette in multiple watercrafts. In this way, a user may purchase a single motorized cassette to propel different watercrafts. Further, in some implementations, a motorized cassette may be used as a stand-alone device to propel a user without a watercraft. For example, a user may hold a motorized cassette and be propelled through a body of water without a more substantial watercraft (e.g., without a surfboard or bodyboard). [0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the body 700 comprises a bodyboard having a top side 704 and a bottom side 702. The body 700 may include a foam core and at least a portion of the bottom side 702 may include a plastic coating. The body 700 may be any suitably sized and shaped bodyboard. The body 700 may optionally comprise one or more fin boxes 710 configured to receive one or more fins. In some embodiments, the bodyboards described herein are inflatable. In some embodiments, the bodyboards described herein are configured to float in water.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the removable cassette 1620 may comprise a drive system including one or more motors 1675. In one embodiment, the drive system can be at least partially housed between a cassette base 1671 and a cassette cover 1657. The one or more motors 1675 can be powered by one or more batteries 1665 and can be mounted to the cassette base 1671 by motor mounts 1677. In some embodiments, each motor 1675 can be coupled to a motor shaft 1690 by a shaft coupler 1679, shaft bearing 1681, bearing holder 1683, and spacer 1685. Each shaft 1690 can be coupled to an impeller 1699 that is disposed at least partially within a pump housing 1695 and a bearing 1697 can optionally be disposed between each shaft and the impeller 1699. In this way, the one or more motors 1675 can drive each impeller 1699 to draw water through the pump housing 1695 to propel the cassette relative to a body of water.

[0053] In some embodiments, each shaft 1690 can be disposed within a shaft housing 1694 that is configured to limit the exposure of the shaft 1690 to objects that are separate from the cassette 1620. Thus, the shaft housing 1694 can protect a user from inadvertently contacting the shaft 1690 during use and/or can protect the shaft 1690 from contacting other objects, for example, sea grass. Additionally, the shaft housing 1694 can improve performance of the cassette 1620 by isolating each shaft 1690 from the water that passes through the pump housing 1695. In some embodiments, each shaft 1690 can be protected from exposure to the water by one or more shaft seals 1692.

[0054] The cassette 1620 can also include one or more grates 1693 disposed over intake ports of the pump housing 1695. The grates 1693 can limit access to the impeller 1699 and shaft 1690 to protect these components and/or to prevent a user from inadvertently contacting these components during use. In some embodiments, each pump housing 1695 and/or grate 1693 can be coupled to one or more magnetic switches (not shown) that can deactivate the motors 1675 when the pump housing 1695 and/or grate 1693 are separated from the cassette base 1671. Therefore, the one or more magnetic switches may prevent the cassette from operating without the optional grate 1693 and/or pump housing in place.

[0055] With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the drive system may also include one or more motor controllers 1673 for each motor 1675, one or more relays 1687 configured to connect the one or more batteries 1665 with the one or more motor controllers 1673, an antenna 1667, and a transceiver 1669. The one or more motor controllers 1673, one or more relays 1687, one or more batteries 1665, antenna 1667, and transceiver 1669, can be electrically connected to each another by one or more wiring harnesses 1663. The transceiver 1669 can include or be coupled to wireless transmission circuitry that is configured to transmit electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals underwater. In this way, the motorized cassette may be controlled wirelessly.

[0056] FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate an inflatable watercraft having a recess configured to receive a bodyboard. The inflatable watercraft 100 can be sized and shaped to function as a SUP board. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, the inflatable watercraft 100 can be unrolled and inflated. A hand pump 120 may be connected to valve 130 and used to inflate the inflatable watercraft 100. The inflatable watercraft 100 can include a bottom surface 102 and a top surface 104. The bottom surface 102 can include recess 108. The recess 108 can be sized and shaped to receive a bodyboard. The bottom surface 102 can also include one or more fin boxes 110. FIG. 10D illustrates the fully inflated inflatable watercraft 100 having three fins 112 positioned within three fin boxes 110.

[0057] Turning to FIGS. 11-12, a bodyboard 800 may be inserted into the recess 108 of the bottom surface 102 of the inflatable watercraft 100. The bodyboard 800 may include a top surface 804 and a bottom surface 802. The bottom surface 802 may include one or more fin boxes 810.

[0058] FIGS. 12-13 illustrate that in some embodiments, a bodyboard 600 having a motorized cassette 500 may be inserted into the recess 108 of the bottom surface 102 of the inflatable watercraft 100. In some embodiments, the bodyboard 600 includes a bottom surface 602 and a top surface 604. The bottom surface 602 may include a recess 608 shaped to receive a motorized cassette 500. In some embodiments, the motorized cassette 500 can be removed and replaced by a non-motorized cassette (as in FIGS. 3-4). In some embodiments an insert, similar or the same as those inserts described above, is placed into the recess prior to the cassette being placed within the insert. [0059] Various means can be used for securing a bodyboard within a recess in a bottom surface of an inflatable watercraft. For example, in one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 15-16, an inflatable watercraft 1300 includes a bottom surface 1302 and a top surface 1304. The bottom surface 1302 includes a recess 1308 configured to receive a bodyboard 600 and configured to secure the bodyboard 600 within the recess 1308 at least when the inflatable watercraft 1300 is inflated. As shown, the inflatable watercraft 1300 includes one or more flaps 1320 extending from the bottom surface 1302 and over a portion of the recess 1308. In one embodiment, a single flap around the perimeter of the recess 1308 extends from the bottom surface 1302 and over a portion of the recess 1308. In this way for example, the bodyboard 600 can be placed within the recess 1308 when the inflatable watercraft 1300 is deflated or at least less than fully inflated. After the inflatable watercraft 1300 is inflated, the bodyboard 600 is secured within the recess 1308 at least partially due to the flaps 1320.

[0060] FIGS. 16-17 show another illustrative example of a means for securing a bodyboard within the recess of an inflatable watercraft. As shown, bodyboard 900 includes a top surface 904 and a bottom surface 902 having a recess 908. The bodyboard 900 also include an indentation 920 about the perimeter rails of the board 920. In some embodiments, the indentation 920 does not cover the entire perimeter. The inflatable watercraft 1700 includes a top surface 1704 and a bottom surface 1702 having a recess 1708. The interior walls of the perimeter of the recess include an outwardly extending protrusion 1725. In this way, the bodyboard 900 may be placed within the recess 1708 when the inflatable watercraft 1300 is deflated or at least less than fully inflated. Next, the protrusion 1725 may be positioned at least partially within the indentation 920 and the inflatable watercraft 1300 can be inflated thus securing the bodyboard 900 within the recess 1708. In some embodiments, more than one means is used to secure the bodyboard within the recess. For example, the body board may be secured within the recess using both the flap and the protrusion described above.

[0061] In some embodiments, the bodyboard includes at least one outwardly projecting groove extending from at least a portion of the perimeter of the bodyboard. In some embodiments, the longitudinal sides of the bodyboard include an outwardly projecting ridge and/or rail. In some embodiments, the SUP board includes a recess having complimentary shaped receiving space along at least a portion of the perimeter walls of the recess for receiving and securing a bodyboard having outward projections from the perimeter of the bodyboard.

[0062] In some embodiments, the propulsion system has an adjustable power output. In this way, the propulsion power of the motorized cassette can be optimized depending on the watercraft that it is used with. Thus, the motorized cassette may be adjusted to provide less propulsion power to propel a bodyboard and more propulsion power to propel a SUP board. For example, the motorized cassette may be configured to have separate distinct power modes of operation. For illustration, the motorized cassette may have three pre-set power outputs: one for bodyboarding, one for surfing, and one for SUP boarding. Thus, the motorized cassette can be optimized depending on the application in order to prolong battery life and overall performance.

[0063] In some embodiments, the motorized cassette may also include an air compressor and/or air pump. The air pump may include an electric motor powered by the batteries housed within the cassette. In some embodiments, an air pump may be separately supplied and electronically connected to the batteries within the cassette. In this way, the cassette may be used to inflate an inflatable SUP board.

[0064] In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein may be used as follows. A motorized cassette, a bodyboard having a recess configured to receive and secure the motorized cassette, inflatable SUP board having a recess configured to receive and secure the bodyboard, and a wireless controller are provided. The inflatable SUP board may be inflated using an air pump housed within the motorized cassette. The bodyboard may be secured within the recess of the inflatable SUP board. The motorized cassette may be secured within the recess of the bodyboard. The motorized cassette may be controlled by the wireless controller. A rider may stand on the SUP board and be propelled over the water.

[0065] The above description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use embodiments within the scope of the disclosed inventions. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [0066] Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. For example, the features of the watercraft disclosed in the various embodiments can be switched between embodiments. In addition to the variations described herein, other known equivalents for each feature can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct watercraft systems and techniques in accordance with principles of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An inflatable personal watercraft comprising:

an inflatable body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a first recess shaped to receive a bodyboard.

2. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a bodyboard disposed within the first recess.

3. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 2, wherein the bodyboard includes a bottom surface including a second recess and a motorized cassette disposed within the second recess.

4. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 3, wherein the motorized cassette contains at least one battery, at least one electric motor, and at least one impellor.

5. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 4, wherein the motorized cassette includes a water inlet and a water outlet.

6. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 5, wherein the water inlet and the water outlet are positioned on the bottom side of the cassette.

7. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the first recess includes an outwardly extending protrusion from an interior wall of the recess.

8. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 7, further comprising a bodyboard disposed within the first recess, the body board including an indentation for receiving the outwardly extending protrusion.

9. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising one or more flaps extending from the bottom surface and over at least a portion of the first recess.

10. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 9, further comprising a bodyboard disposed within the first recess and the flaps extending over a bottom surface of the bodyboard.

11. A personal watercraft system comprising:

a motorized cassette enclosing at least one battery operatively coupled to at least one electric motor;

a flotation device comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a first recess for receiving and securing the motorized cassette; and an inflatable body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a second recess for receiving and securing the flotation device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bottom surfaces of the motorized cassette, the flotation device, and the inflatable body, have substantially no outwardly protruding parts other than fins.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the flotation device includes one or more fin boxes configured to receive one or more fins.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the second recess includes an outwardly extending protrusion from an interior wall of the recess.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more flaps extending from the bottom surface of the inflatable body and over at least a portion of the second recess.

16. A method of securing a flotation device within an inflatable watercraft comprising:

providing an inflatable watercraft having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recess in the bottom surface;

inserting a flotation device into the recess; and

inflating the inflatable watercraft.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting the flotation device under at least one flap extending over the recess.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting a ridge extending from an edge surface of the flotation device into a groove in at least one side wall of the recess.

19. An inflatable personal watercraft comprising:

an inflatable body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a first recess shaped to receive a bodyboard and a means for securing the bodyboard within the recess.

20. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 19, wherein the means for securing the bodyboard within the recess includes at least one flap extending over the recess.

21. The inflatable personal watercraft of claim 19, wherein the means for securing the bodyboard within the recess includes an indentation about the perimeter rails of the bodyboard and an outwardly extending protrusion from a sidewall of the recess.