EP1145948B1 - Planche de surf corporelle à deux mains - Google Patents

Planche de surf corporelle à deux mains Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1145948B1
EP1145948B1 EP00202631A EP00202631A EP1145948B1 EP 1145948 B1 EP1145948 B1 EP 1145948B1 EP 00202631 A EP00202631 A EP 00202631A EP 00202631 A EP00202631 A EP 00202631A EP 1145948 B1 EP1145948 B1 EP 1145948B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fins
bodysurfing
tail
hand
hands
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00202631A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1145948A1 (fr
Inventor
Héctor Zapatero
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/738,504 priority Critical patent/US6544089B2/en
Priority to AU35033/01A priority patent/AU754337B2/en
Publication of EP1145948A1 publication Critical patent/EP1145948A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1145948B1 publication Critical patent/EP1145948B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
    • B63B32/20—Boards specially adapted for use in a prone position, e.g. wild-water sledges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
    • B63B32/50—Boards characterised by their constructional features
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
    • B63B32/60—Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2231/00—Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
    • B63B2231/40—Synthetic materials
    • B63B2231/50—Foamed synthetic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2231/00—Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
    • B63B2231/40—Synthetic materials
    • B63B2231/52—Fibre reinforced plastics materials

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a device for the practice of the sport called Bodysurfing.
  • the sport of bodysurfing consists in riding (surfing) the ocean waves with the own body.
  • the main difficulty bodysurfers find is that of being left behind by the waves because of insufficient speed; a problem caused by the fact that almost the whole body of the bodysurfer (except for the head and eventually the arms) travels under the water's surface, offering too much drag.
  • the prior art has proposed some devices intended to assist the bodysurfer in riding the waves, by offering him an alternative leaning point for the hand over the surface of the water.
  • this bodysurfing devices mainly "Handboards" and "Hand fins" - have not proven to be sufficiently effective in terms of overall performance, security of use and visual attractivity, for the following reasons:
  • the single pressure-control point thus determined limits the device's steerability because the hand (or hands) concentrate in one single point, and does not provide sufficient speed because there's a limit to the maximum width of the hydroplaning surface under such single pressure-control point.
  • US Pat No. 5,167,551 and US Pat No. 4,932,911 it must be observed that when maneuvers are made it is only the device of the hand corresponding to the side towards which one is turning that actually works. Also, it is practically impossible to maintain two separate devices always completely aligned when riding a wave.
  • the present invention is the result of its author's twenty-year international experience in the design and construction of devices for wave riding sports (bodysurfing, bodyboarding, kneeboarding, surfing and windsurfing (wave)).
  • the object of the present invention is to contribute to the development of the sport of Bodysurfing, by providing a device that offers optimal efficiency in terms of overall performance, safety of use and visual attractivity, for bodysurfers of both sexes.
  • the present invention which is called TWO-HAND SURFBOARD FOR BODYSURFING, comprises a floating body which further comprises the following three other elements: a handling system on its top surface, which permits to hold and guide the device with the two hands placed one beside the other in the horizontal level; a system of directional fins on the tail area of its bottom surface; and a gadget intended for the tying of a security cord placed (preferably but not exclusively) in the tail area of its top surface.
  • the optimal efficiency of the present invention in terms of overall performance derives from the fact that during bodysurfing it is guided and controlled with the two hands placed one beside the other in the horizontal level. This causes the upper half of the body to travel in a position equivalent to an elongated gymnastical push-up performed over the invention's handling system, above the water's surface more or less from the waist up (depending on the actual trajectory).
  • a "wave-riding binomial" is formed by the invention and the bodysurfer's body, in which the invention rides the wave supported by the weight of the upper half of the bodysurfer's body, and complemented by the lower half of the bodysurfer's body, which remains inside the water giving the necessary extra drag and steering capability.
  • the optimal security of use of the invention is due to the fact that the hands are not confined in it or fixed to it in any way, but are independent from it. There is no risk of wrist torsions during critical moments (for example when missing a maneuver or when the wave closes out), because the invention is firmly held with the two hands, and consequently it can be easily kept with or pushed aside. In this last case (when the invention has been pushed aside) once the wave has gone it can be easily reached by pulling the security cord which ties it to the bodysurfer's waist (the system of a security cord is also used in surfboards and bodyboards).
  • the optimal visual attractivity of the invention is due to the fact that its floating body resembles a surfboard or windsurf in miniature, even if proportionally wider and with a different thickness. distribution. In such way the invention profits from the "good looks” of those boards, being easily identifiable by the public as an object made for riding waves.
  • the bodysurfer enters the ocean with the invention secured to his waist by means of the aforementioned "security cord", so that he can swim freely, literally towing the invention behind his body. Once in position, to catch a wave he must swim strongly with the two legs and one arm, meanwhile holding the invention and keeping it pointed forward with the other arm and hand. As soon as he catches the wave the bodysurfer must raise his head and quickly take the free arm and hand forward in order to grab the invention's handling system also with that hand.
  • the embodiment of the present invention here described measures 45,5 x 29,5 centimeters; it is considered that the invention should not exceed 72 centimeters in longitude, because of the risk that it could touch against the bodysurfer's chest.
  • the use of a device which is held and guided with both hands placed one beside the other in the horizontal level constitutes a new way of practicing bodysurfing, characterized in that the upper part of the body (more or less from the waist up, depending on the actual trajectory) travels above the water's surface, suspended on the air by the two arms that perform the equivalent of an elongated gymnastical push-up (with the hands closer and extended forward) over the invention's handling system.
  • the present embodiment comprises a FLOATING BODY 1 which in its bottom surface includes a SYSTEM OF DIRECTIONAL FINS composed of three small fins (two lateral forward fins 2a plus one central rearward fin 2b ) , and in its top surface includes a GADGET FOR THE TYING OF A SECURITY CORD 3 and a HANDLING SYSTEM composed of a single tubular over-raised handle 4 that runs transversally across the width of the device.
  • the FLOATING BODY 1 has the general shape of a surfboard or windsurf in miniature, proportionally wider and with a different thickness distribution (in particular the area above the forward fins is proportionally thicker than in surfboards or windsurfs; this is done to give enough buoyancy in view of the fact that the invention supports the whole weight of the upper half of the bodysurfer's body).
  • the FLOATING BODY 1 comprises the following four dimensions, which determine and condition its functioning: The outer planshape 5 , the floatation line 6a , 6b , 6c /hydroplaning surface 7 , the overall thickness 8 and the lateral edges' profile 9 .
  • the outer planshape 5 runs rearwardly from nose to tail along an imaginary central line, determining the total length and maximum width of the FLOATING BODY 1.
  • the outer planshape 5 In its lower part, towards the tail, it has two small accentuated curves 10 which permit to maintain enough widthness in the tail area, then suddenly lowering it in the space of a few centemiters before arriving to the invention's tail 11 itself, which is squared with rounded angles.
  • the fact of maintaining the lower part of the FLOATING BODY 1 as wide as possible helps incrementing the total hydroplaning surface, thus gaining in speed and stability; the squared with rounded angles configuration of the tail 11 permits to keep said tail wide enough without compromising maneuverability.
  • the flotation line 6a, 6b , 6c is the lateral profile of the bottom surface (hydroplaning surface) 7 of the invention's FLOATING BODY 1.
  • the flotation line 6a, 6b , 6c determines the invention's effective hydroplaning surface in the longitudinal level; it comprises a continuous line composed of the following three sections: the lifted nose 6a, which prevents the invention from frontally sinking in the water; the central straight (no curve) zone 6b, which helps incrementing speed and acceleration; and the lifted tail 6c , which is much less lifted than the nose and serves to increment maneuverability.
  • the hydroplaning surface 7 is the FLOATING BODY's bottom surface as a whole; it is completely flat (without concave or convex areas, channels or V-shaped zones) in order to produce the greatest possible hydroplaning capability.
  • the overall thickness 8 determines the total volume of the FLOATING BODY 1 , hence determining also its buoyancy. It is established empirically by relating the top surface's profile 12 to the floatation line 6a, 6b, 6c along the complete length of the invention; the overall thickness is such that permits an adequate buoyancy, in consideration of the fact that the invention supports the weight of the upper half of the bodysurfer's body. The point of maximum thickness is located towards the central area of the invention's total length.
  • the lateral edges' profile 9 is rounded and progressive all along from the nose to the tail of the FLOATING BODY 1, in order to offer the less possible resistance to the water during use.
  • the lateral edges have its lower part more rounded and its upper part more elongated, so as to maximize speed and maneuverability, in consideration of the fact that the lateral edges - in conjunction with the fins and the overall thickness - determine the capability of the invention to keep the chosen trajectories without sliding laterally off the water.
  • the SYSTEM OF DIRECTIONAL FINS is composed of three small fins fixed in the tail area of the FLOATING BODY's 1 hydroplaning surface 7 .
  • the two forward fins 2a are placed laterally with an external inclination of 103° with respect to the hydroplaning surface's 7 horizontal plane, being pointed towards the nose of the invention.
  • the third fin 2b is the rear fin; it is positioned centrally behind the two lateral forward fins 2a, perpendicularly to the hydroplaning surface's 7 horizontal plane, on which the three fins stand.
  • the lateral profile of each directional fin is hydrodynamic, resembling the dorsal fin of a dolphin.
  • the GADGET FOR THE TYING OF A SECURITY CORD 3 is a small piece with a hole in it, positioned in the top surface 12 of the FLOATING BODY 1, in the tail area of the invention - not too close to the tail's edge, because if such were the case it could cause the tail to sink in the water when pulling the security cord or when towing the invention while swimming.
  • the HANDLING SYSTEM is composed of a single handle 4 of tubular shape which runs across the width of the invention placed over-raised with respect to the FLOATING BODY's 1 top surface 12, so that it can be grabbed with the two hands placed one beside the other.
  • the handle comprises two symmetrical vertical supports 13 that fix it to the invention's top surface 12; in the longitudinal level this over-raised tubular transversal handle is placed over the point of maximum contact of the hydroplaning surface 7 over the water's horizontal level, approximately in correspondence of the point of maximum width of the invention, towards the center of its total length; the HANDLING SYSTEM's positioning constitutes a critical aspect of the invention's design, because if it were placed too forward the invention would tend to sink the nose in the water; if on the contrary it were placed too rearward the invention would tend to rise the nose, consequently losing speed, stability and steerability.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Artificial Filaments (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Un instrument pour la pratique du surf corporel (bodysurfing) ayant une surface inférieure généralement plate avec son large point localise aux environs de la partie centrale de la longueur totale de l'instrument, et fait comme une structure intégrale sur matériel plastic flottant,
    caractérise car il est tenu et guide avec les deux mains placées l'une à côte de l'autre au niveau horizontal, de telle manière que pendant le surf corporel l'utilisateur performe un mouvement de pompe gymnastique sur l'instrument, telle que toute la moitie supérieure de son corps voyage constamment au-dessus de la surface de l'eau; l'instrument comprend :
    un corps flottant (1) étendu le long d'une direction longitudinale du devant à l'arrière, ayant la forme générale d'une planche à surfing ou windsurf en miniature; et
    un système transversal de manipulation (4) traversant la surface supérieure du dit instrument en correspondance à la partie centrale de la longueur totale du dit instrument, et ayant assez de largeur pour abriter les deux mains de l'utilisateur placées l'une à côte de l'autre; et
    un système d'épines de direction (2a), (2b) place à l'arrière de la surface inférieure du dit instrument;
    où le dit instrument a une longueur maximale de 72 cm alors que l'extrémité postérieure du dit instrument se trouve approximativement aux avant-bras ou coudes de l'utilisateur durant le bodysurfing.
  2. L'instrument cite en revendication 1, dans lequel le dit système transversal de manipulation (4) comprend une seule manette relevée avec une forme générale de tube, fixée au dit instrument par des supports verticaux (13).
  3. L'instrument cite en revendication 1, ayant ses bords latéraux (9) progressivement arrondis.
  4. L'instrument cite en revendication 1, dans lequel le dit système d'épines de direction (2a), (2b) place à l'arrière de la surface inférieure du dit instrument est compose d'un groupe de trois épines où deux épines latérales sont placées légèrement au devant d'une épine centrale postérieure.
  5. L'instrument cite en revendication 1, comprenant aussi une pièce pour l'attachement d'une corde de sécurité (3).
EP00202631A 2000-04-11 2000-07-21 Planche de surf corporelle à deux mains Expired - Lifetime EP1145948B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/738,504 US6544089B2 (en) 2000-04-11 2000-12-18 Two-hand bodysurfing and swimming aid
AU35033/01A AU754337B2 (en) 2000-04-11 2001-04-06 Two-hand bodysurfing and swimming aid

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI200790 2000-04-11
IT2000MI000790A ITMI20000790A1 (it) 2000-04-11 2000-04-11 Tavola da bodysurfing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1145948A1 EP1145948A1 (fr) 2001-10-17
EP1145948B1 true EP1145948B1 (fr) 2002-12-11

Family

ID=11444820

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00202631A Expired - Lifetime EP1145948B1 (fr) 2000-04-11 2000-07-21 Planche de surf corporelle à deux mains

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1145948B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60000966T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2191593T3 (fr)
IT (1) ITMI20000790A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2847549B1 (fr) * 2002-11-27 2005-09-23 Christophe Subra Nouvelle planche de glisse pour la pratique du surf

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1163564A (fr) * 1956-12-21 1958-09-29 Radeau
US4439165A (en) * 1981-08-17 1984-03-27 Harold Louis Rothstein Aquatic body board
US4437842A (en) 1982-03-05 1984-03-20 Connor Terrence E Surfing device
US4929207A (en) * 1989-02-16 1990-05-29 Piatt John A Body surfboard with added flotation
US4932911A (en) 1989-07-21 1990-06-12 Albrecht Douglas C Handboards
US5167551A (en) 1990-01-02 1992-12-01 Davis Robert G Bodysurfing and swimming aid
US5324220A (en) * 1992-03-17 1994-06-28 Michael Stewart Aquatic bodyboard leash
US5603645A (en) * 1994-07-01 1997-02-18 Saccomanno; Tom F. Prone surf board construction
US5472362A (en) * 1994-12-05 1995-12-05 Dandurand; William Buoyant apparatus for aquatic recreation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1145948A1 (fr) 2001-10-17
ES2191593T3 (es) 2003-09-16
DE60000966D1 (de) 2003-01-23
DE60000966T2 (de) 2003-12-04
ITMI20000790A0 (it) 2000-04-11
ITMI20000790A1 (it) 2001-10-11

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