AU2001100204A4 - Surfboard - Google Patents

Description

APPLICANT:

SPUN SPORTS PTY LTD Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 1990 PETTY PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION ENTITLED:

SURFBOARD

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -1- 2

"SURFBOARD"

Technical field This invention relates to a surfboard.

The invention has particular application to a surfboard which is bidirectional.

As used herein the expression "bi-directional" is to be understood to refer to a surfboard which can be surfed in either direction in the sense that it does not matter to which end of the board the surfer is facing. In other words, the surfboard can be used or surfed going either "forwards" or "backwards" (in the conventional sense of those words when used with conventional surfboards).

During use, the direction of use can also be changed back and forth at will.

Background of Invention Surfboards are of course extremely well known and conventionally have one end shaped differently to the other end, the front or bow end being relatively sharper or more pointed than the other rear, tail or stern end which is thus blunter than the front end of known boards.

Summary of Invention The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known surfboards.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a surfboard having a central portion and two opposed end portions, the end portions being shaped such that the surfboard can be used with either end portion pointed in the forward direction.

In one embodiment it is preferred that the end portions are substantially identically shaped.

In another embodiment it is preferred that the surfboard includes fin means mounted on the underside of each end portion.

In another embodiment it is preferred that each end portion is substantially blunted.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a surfboard having a central portion, two opposed end portions and fin means mounted on the underside of each end portion. o In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a surfboard having a central portion and two opposed end portions, the end portions being substantially identically shaped.

Description of Drawings In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIG 1 is a view of the underside of a surfboard in accordance with the present invention; FIG 2 is a view of the underside of another surfboard in accordance with the present invention, and FIGS 3A to 3H are representations of several of a range of end shapes S. suitable for use with the surfboard of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiment of Invention As can be seen in FIG 1, a surfboard 10 in accordance with the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, has a central portion 11 on which a rider stands and two opposed end portions 12 and 13 which are substantially blunted and substantially identically shaped. Fin means in the form of sets of triple fins 14 and 15 are mounted on the underside of the ends 12 and 13. A retractable handle or toggle 16 (shown in dotted outline)is centrally positioned on the upper side of the board.

Similarly as seen in FIG 1, a surfboard 20 in accordance with the present invention in another embodiment thereof, has a central portion 21 on which a rider stands and two opposed end portions 22 and 23 which are substantially blunted and substantially identically shaped. Fin means in the form of sets of triple fins 24 and 25 are mounted on the underside of the ends 22 and 23. It will be appreciated that the fin means can be a single fin, and further that there may be no fin at all in one aspect of the invention.

A wide variety of end shapes are possible as seen in FIGS 3A to 3H which are representative of suitable shapes, some of which are more preferred than others. Thus for example the shape of an end portion can be rounded as seen in FIG 3A, arched (FIG 3B), serrated (FIG 3C), linearly segmented (FIG 3D), squared (FIG 3E), triangulated (FIG 3F), zigzagged (FIG 3G), dished (FIG 3H), fluted (FIG 1) or blunt with radiused corners (FIG Thus all shapes, with the possible exception of that seen in FIG 3B may be regarded as substantially blunted in the sense that they are not pointed. The shape of FIG 3B can nevertheless be regarded as having a degree of bluntness to the extent that whilst terminating in a point, the surfboard ends quite abruptly from the relatively gentle taper characterising the central portion of the board.

Thus it will be appreciated that in one aspect of the present invention a surfboard 10,20 has a central portion 11,21 and two opposed end portions 12,22 and 13,23, the end portions being shaped such that the surfboard can be used with either end portion pointed in the forward direction. End portions 12,22 and 13,23 are substantially identically shaped. End portions 12,22 and 13,23 are 6 substantially blunted. The surfboard includes fin means 14,24 and 15,25 mounted on the underside of each end portion.

It will also be appreciated that in another aspect of the present invention a surfboard 10,20 has a central portion 11,21 and two opposed end portions 12,22 and 13,23, and fin means 14,24 and 15,25 mounted on the underside of each end portion.

It will further be appreciated that in a further aspect of the present invention a surfboard 10,20 has a central portion 11,21 and two opposed end portions 12,22 and 13,23 which are substantially identically shaped.

S It will be appreciated that whilst the shape at either end of surfboard can be the same, the shape at opposite ends can also differ provided that the shapes are such that the surfboard can be used with either end portion pointed in the forward direction. Thus the surfboard may or may not be symmetrical.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a surfboard in accordance with the present invention has a number of advantages in o.

comparison with known surfboards which are mono-directional. The surfboard of this invention allows manoeuvres to be performed in any direction and can be ridden with equal ease in either direction by all surfers whether natural or "goofy" footed.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

*oo o e*

Claims (4)

1. A surfboard having a central portion and two opposed end portions, said end portions being shaped such that the surfboard can be used with either end portion pointed in the forward direction.

2. A surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said end portions are substantially identically shaped.

3. A surfboard as claimed in claim 1, and including fin means mounted on the underside of each said end portion. *8

4. A surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein each end portion is substantially blunted. *o o