AU667980B2

AU667980B2 - Toy surfing device

Info

Publication number: AU667980B2
Application number: AU51845/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Mulawa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-11-26
Filing date: 1993-11-22
Publication date: 1996-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-22
Also published as: AU5184593A

Description

667980 Our~ Ref: 490583 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRA.LIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 4 t4

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I,~t r~ ~t Applicant(s): Michael Mulawa The Pocket BILLINUDGEL WSW 2483

AUSTRALIA

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Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Toy surfing device best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 -1- TOY SURFING DEVICE The present invention relates to a toy surfing device which can simulate a surfer on a surf board wheai used on waves generated such as, for example, by the swell of the sea, One known device of this general type is described in Australian Patent Specification 615980 (29903/89). The device described in this patent specification comprises a surf board with a figurine thereon, the surf board having a heavy weight keel projecting downwardly from the surf board. The purpose of this keel is to provide the device with stability when in use. In essence, the device is no different to a toy boat V which 'utilises a keel to provide the stability to it. The specification states that the weight S.V. 15 of the keel and the effect of gravity acting on the keel causes the construction to fall downwardly along the front face of a wave so as to simulate the surfing action of a human surfer. The specification in discussing the prior art notes that it has not been possible for toy surfb ards to be capable of simulating surfing because the act of surfing requires the presence of an active and controlling surfer; that is a human being.

It is object of the present invention to provide an improved toy surfing device which provides for a more realistic simulated surfing action.

According to the present invention there is provided a toy surfing device which 25 is suitable for use in a wave environment for simulating a surfer on a surf board, the device comprising a floatable board member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward end portion, a rearward end portion and a guide fin at the rearward end portion thereof, the guide fin projecting from the lower surface, an artificial figure representing the surfer, the figure comprising an upper body including a torso and arms and a lower body comprising legs, the artificial figure being secured to or integral with the upper surface of the board member at the rearward end portion thereof, at least some parts of :ji the upper body of the artificial figure being movable relative to the lower body.

b:\arsspe.003\p16065\l -2- The movable body parts have the advantage that they tend to counteract the impact of waves on the toy while it is surfing permitting the toy under some circumstances to correct itself in unbalanced situations and also permitting the toy to change direction.

Preferably, the artificial figure is in a standing posture with the legs thereof being spaced apart in the direction between the forward and rearward ends of the body member.

The rearward leg of the artificial figure is preferably disposed generally above the guide fin with the forward most leg extending forwardly therefrom. The disposition of the figure as described above permits more control of the toy.

Preferably, the torso of the artificial figure can at least partially rotate relative to the lower body about a pivot axis which extends in a direction generally between the head of the figure through the body to the board. That is, the pivot axis is generally an upright axis with respect to the upper surface of the body. Preferably, the torso is spring loaded or otherwise biased so that upon rotation about the pivot axis it tends to return to Sits original position. As a result of this configuration if a wave hits the figure under certain conditions, the upper torso tends to be rotated and this rotating action tends to cause the board to change direction to maintain its stability. Preferably, the arms of the artificial figure are movable relative to the torso.

4. Preferably, the weight of the artificial figure is about 50% or more than the weight *1111 of the board member. Thus, the weight of the figure relative to weight of the board is 44.944 significant and tends to assist in the overall balance and performances of the device. The board member may include curved side rails which extend between the forward and 25 rearward ends thereof and further, the forward end of the board may be slightly upwardly curved. Desirably, the ratio of the length of the board to the width is at a minimum of 4:1. In one preferred form the surfboard is of a length of about 39-41 cm, has a thickness of about 8 to 12 mm and a width of 85 100 mm. The guide fin has a height of about 10 mm (that is the distance from the board to its apex) a length at its base of about 5 to 6.5 cm and a width at its base of about 7 mm. It will be appreciated however that the dimensions would be suitable.

wave, The toy is then pushed onto face of the wave and the momentum gained keeps the toy continually moving as it planes down the front face of the wave. The board can be directed by the operator so that it planes down the front face of the wave in a similar fashion to a normal surfboard and rider, If the board is hit by the foam as the wave breaks it may cause the body of the artificial figure to move relative to its lower part which may cause the device to change direction to ensure that it remains upright, Sometimes however, the power of the wave is too great, and the board will roll over thereby simulating a "wipe out" which is common with actual surf board riders.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective top view of the toy surfing device according to the present invention shown on a wave; 15 Figure 2 is a perspective underside view of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3; and Figure 5 is an end view of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Referring to the drawings, the toy surfing device generally indicated at 1 comprises a board member 3 having a forward end portion 4, a rearward end portion with curved side rails 6 extending between the forward and rearward ends. The forward end portion tapers inwardly at its nose and is slightly upwardly curved. The board o, C cmember further includes generally flat upper and lower surfaces 7 and 8 with a guide fin 25 9 projecting from the lower surface 8 towards the rearward end portion of the board member. The guide fin 9 is generally triangular in shape when viewed from the side or t from the end. As can be seen the guide fin 9 is relatively small compared to the board and is relatively light weight its purpose being to assist in the manoeuvrability of tihe device.

The device further includes an artificial figure 10 which as shown is in a standing posture, The figure 10 includes an upper body 12 having a torso 13, arms 14 and a head The figure further includes a lower body 16 having legs 17 which are in the posture b:arsspe.003\pi6065U -4shown spaced apart in the direction between the forward end and rearward end of the board member. Whilst the figure is shown in a standing posture it will be appreciated that it could be in a knelling or othfer posture.

The torso 13 of the figure is adapted to rotate relative to the lower body 16 about pivot axis A-A. Furthermore, the torso 13 is spring loaded or otherwise biased so that it tends to return to an original position. The arms 14 can be pivotally movable about axes B-B and disposed in a number of position .elative to the torso. The pivot axis is shown by arrows E in Figure 5. In addition, if desired the head 15 can also be rotatable about axis A-A, the rotating action being shown by arrows C in Figure 3. If desired one or both arms and/or the head can also be spring loaded so that there is a tending to return to an original position. The artificial figure 10 may be secured to the board member 3 in any suitable fashion or alternatively molded as a integral part thereof. The figure may be releasably attached to the board so that if hit by a large wave, it can be dislodged.

In this form an ankle strap may also be provided for attaching the figure to the board.

S*The surf boards may be made of plastics material or timbers and the board may be coated 'with epoxy resins if desired. The weight of the figure is in the order of 80 grams and the weight of the board is in the order of between 130 and 150 grams. The length to width ratio of the board is around 4:1.

As can be seen in Figure 3 of the drawings the artificial figure 10 is attached to the board in a position where its back foot is disposed over the top of the fin 9. In this position, the weight of the figure provides for good balance and manoeuvrability of the t, device.

t To use the device the operator holds it by the figure or board and waits for a suitable wave. Desirably, before the wave has broken the device is propelled along the face of the wave so that the board planes down the face in an inclined direction relative to the wave direction as is the usual manner of a surfer. When the wave breaks the foam may hit the artificial figure and because parts of the figure can move, taken in conjunction wit its position relative to the guide fin, balance can often be retained or the motien of the figure causes the board to change direction such as for example to point generally in the direction of motion of the wave. Thus an action closely simulating that b:\arsspe,003\p16065W of a surfer can be achieved. The simulated surfing action does not occur every time and requires the skill of the operator to select an appropriate shaped wave.

Finally, various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims

6- STHEI CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARB AS FOLLOWS: 1. A toy suiting device suitable for use in a wave environment for simulating a surfer on a surfboard, the device comprising: a floatable board member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward end portion, a rearward end portion and guide fin at said rearward end portion and projecting from said lower surface; an artificial figure representing the surfer, said figure comprising an upper body including a torso and arms and a lower body comprising legs, said artificial figure being secured to or integral with said upper surface of said board member at the rearward end portion thereof, at least some parts of the upper body being movable relative to the lower body of artificial figure. 2. A toy surfing device according to claim 1 wherein said artificial figure is in a standing posture with the legs thereof being spaced apart in, the direction between the forward and rearward ends of the board member. 3. A toy surfing device according to claim 2 wherein the rearmost leg of the artificial figure is disposed generally above said guide fin. 4. A toy surfing device according to any preceding claim wherein said torso of said artificial figure can at least partially rotate relative to the lower body thereof above a pivot axis which extends in a direction generally between the head of the figure through the body of the board. A toy surfing device according to claim 4 wherein said torso is spring loaded so 25 that upon rotation it tends to return to its original position. 6. A toy surfing device according to any preceding claim wherein said arms are movable relative to said torso.
7. A toy surfing device according to any preceding claim wherein the weight of said artificial figure is 50% or more than the weight of said board member. b:Aarsspe.003\p160 65 6 1 -7
8. A toy suring device according to any preceding claim wherein said board mecmber includes curved side rails extending between the forward and rearward ends thereof,
9. A toy surfing device substantially as hiereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 16th day of November, 1993 MICHAEL JOH-N MULAWA By His Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 99 9* 9 9499 I .t I It I 9 9a S I I 99 I 4; .99% 9 94; .9 1 94$ I I V I C 9. 9 9* 9) 9* 9 9. b:\iirsspe,003\p16 0 6 5\7 i ABSTRACT A toy surfing device suitable for use in a wave environment for simulating a surfer on a surfboard. The device comprises a floatable board member having an upper surface, a lower surface with guide fin projecting from said lower surface towards the rear of the board. The device further includes an artificial figure representing the surfer i which comprises an upper body including a torso and arms and a lower body comprising legs. The artificial figure is secured to or integral with the upper surface of the board member at the rearward end por 'on thereol and at least some parts of the upper body are t r movable relative to the lower body of artificial figure. 1. t. t4 t t t I b:\arsspc.003\p16065\8