AU2007100053A4 - Human powered surfboard - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

_HUMAN POWERED SURFBOARD 0 This invention relates to improvements in surfboard devices.

0 oSurfboards are used in the activity of surfing. Surfing is a popular sport in which individuals are propelled through the water by the force of waves, whilst standing on oboards. Unfortunately for many people this sport are just a dream because there are no waves on the nearest lakes, rivers and seas the same as on the ocean beaches.

These problems are overcome by the present invention which provides a surfboard with a human powered propulsion device based on a principle of the penguin fly under water.

The drawings show one example of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a prospective view of one embodiment of the invention as it is operated; FIG. 2 shows an underside view of the invention with fin arrangements and two pair of flippers; FIG. 3 shows a top view of the invention with the foot platform mounted on the deck; FIG. 4 shows the prospective view of the human powered propulsion device to be used with the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 it can be seen a surfboard 1 with a surfer 2 standing on the foot platform 3 and holding a handle 4 of the front leash 5, that attaches to the front leash cup 6; a leash cup 7 designed for an ankle/wrist leash 8. It keeps a surfer from losing a board.

Standing on the foot platform 3 rider 2 shifts one?s weight from the front of the platform 3 to the rear and then from rear to front, repeats this action generating the platform?s seesaw movement. Connecting rods 9 transmit this movement to flippers to make up and down flippers? strokes. At the start of each stroke, the flippers twist and flex in such a way that they assume the shape of a propeller blade and propel the surfboard 1 forward. Once the surfboard?s flippers 10 are flapping and the surfboard 1 is swimming rider 2 can shift one?s weight from foot to foot to build up speed. The faster surfer pushes both ends of the platform by feet evenly the faster one swims.

Referring to FIG. 2 it can be seen two pair of flippers 10 and fin arrangements 11 on it. Every flipper has a ball joint 12 with a corresponding connecting rod 9, that passing through the hole 13 in the surfboard to the foot platform 3.

On FIG. 3 is shown the foot platform 3 mounted on the deck, the front leash cup 6, and the ankle/wrist leash cup 7. It can be seen also two connecting rods 9 which have ball joints with the foot platform 3 and flippers Referring to FIG. 4 it can be seen a kinematics? scheme of the human powered propulsion device, that comprises a foot platform 3, hinged support 14 mounted on the deck place of the surfboard 1 and attached to the foot platform 3 by hinged connection 15; and two pair of flippers 10 attached to the underside surface of the surfboard by a hinged joint 16 mounted on the underside surface of the surfboard; platform 3 is swinging about hinge axes 15 responsive to input of a force from user's feet; flippers 10 have axes in the hinge joint 16, about which they make strokes; platform 3 attached to flippers 10 by connecting rods 9 with ball joints 12 on both ends for rocking flippers 10 about their axes responsive to swinging of the foot platform 3 about its hinge axis. Flippers 10 have preferably metal stiffening ribs 17 inside elastic material connecting to appropriate ball joints 12 and hinged joints 16.

The arrow on the foot platfom points toward the front.

Claims (4)

1. A human powered surfboard device comprising a surfboard adapted for support by water having an underside surface with fin arrangements on it and a top side surface with a deck on it, a tail and a nose with leash cups for ankle and hand holding leashes correspondingly; a human powered propulsion device mounted on the top side and underside surfaces of the surfboard; said human powered propulsion device comprises a foot platform mounted on the deck, at least one pair of elastic flexible flippers mounted on underside surface of the surfboard and transmission means connecting said foot platform to said flippers.

2. A human powered surfboard device of claim 1 wherein said foot platform fixed on the deck having a substantially vertical support in the centre, about which said platform is swinging responsive to input of force from user's feet.

3. A human powered surfboard device of claim 1 wherein said flippers fixed on the underside surface of the surfboard having a substantially horizontal axes, about which they make strokes.

4. A human powered surfboard device of claim 1 wherein said transmission means connecting said foot platform to said flippers for pivoting said flippers about their axes responsive to swinging of said foot platform about its axis. A human powered surfboard device substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 4 of the accompanying drawings. Vladimir Zenin 19 January 2007