GB2389511A

GB2389511A - Surfboard mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2389511A
Application number: GB0213460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathon David Taylor
Original assignee: Sally Biddle
Current assignee: Sally Biddle
Priority date: 2002-06-12
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Also published as: AU2003244748A1; WO2003106256A1; GB0213460D0

Abstract

A mounting (1) is provided for hanging surfboards (35, fig3) which a sling (33, 34, fig 3) supports the surfboard (35) and that sling (33, 34) is allowed to pivot away from a mounting surface (3) for appropriate presentation of the surfboard (35). Typically, two mountings (1) are used in an arrangement such that the sling (33 or 34) secured from each mounting (1) hangs at an angle displaced from the perpendicular with substantial engagements between the sling (33 or 34) and a pivot bar (2) of the mounting (1).

Description

238951 1

Mounting The present invention relates to mountings and more particularly to a mounting for use in display or storage of a surf board.

As with a number of discretionary articles, a surf board is a rather large and cumbersome item which is difficult to conveniently store or display.

Furthermore, with a surf board the nature of the material, surface lamination/decoration and tail fin mean that the surf board is quite susceptible to damage and in particular abrasion damage if rubbed against a building wall.

Generally due to its cumbersome nature surf boards have tended to be propped against walls rather than properly stored or displayed. Again, this leads to damage if the surf board falls, etc. Traditional mounting arrangements are considered inconvenient or incapable of appropriately supporting a surf board. Ideally, a surf board should be stored or displaced above ground level and close to a wall to prevent accidental damage. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a mounting for a surf board, the mounting comprising a pivot bar spaced from a mounting surface, the pivot bar is shaped to support a sling such that in use the sling extends away from the pivot bar, the pivot bar has a pivot curvature to allow the sling to hang at an angle displaced from the perpendicular with substantially flat engagement between the sling and the pivot bar.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a mounting arrangement comprising at least one mounting as described above and a sling such that in use this sling associated with each mounting can pivot about the pivot bar so that a lower support loop of each sling coincides with an arc centred above the line of intersection between the or each mounting.

Typically, this arc is consistent with the curved edge of the surf board.

Preferably, the pivot bar includes a projection side against which a sling lies in use. Typically, the projection side has an aspect angle to the plane of the

mounting consistent with the desired downward extension of the sling In use.

Normally, the aspect angle will be zero so that the projection side is substantially in a plane uniformly displaced from the plane of the mounting.

Preferably, the pivot bar includes a front side to present in use the sling as a mounting loop over the pivot bar with respective lengths of the sling extending down to form a support loop below. Possibly, the front side has an aspect angle whereby a portion of the sling lies against the front side. Normally, the front side Is flat. Alternatively, the front side is curved.

Typically, an edge formed between the top of the projection side and the top of the front side incorporates the pivot curvature. Normally, the edge is curved between the projection side and the front side. Preferably, the edge Is bowed across the projection side and the front side. Advantageously, both edges between the projection side and the front side include a pivot curvature.

Preferably, the sling includes a fastener. Normally, the fastener is a hook and fleece/Velcro fastener.

Embodiments of the present invention Drill now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mounting; Fig. 2 is a cross section of the mounting shown in Fig. 1 in the direction of 1-1; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a mounting arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a mounting arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and, Fig. is a schematic cross-section of a mounting supporting a surf board through a sling.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 depicting a mounting 1 in accordance with the present invention. Essentially, the mounting 1 includes a pivot bar 2 spaced from a mounting surface 3 of the mounting 1 so that the pivot bar 2 is displaced from that surface 3 and therefore a wall or other surface to which the mounting is secured. The pivot bar 2 is defined between two apertures 4, in the mounting 1. Screw holes 6,7 are provided to allow the mounting 1 to be secured to a wall as required but other means of securing the mounting could be used.

The aperture 4 includes an edge 8 which includes a pivot curvature. The edge 8 is defined between a projection surface 9 and a front surface 10 of the pivot bar 2. Typically, both apertures 4,5 will incorporate a pivot curvature in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the mounting 1 can be secured either way up. As an alternative to the configuration depicted in Fig. 1 the pivot curvature provided in respective apertures between the projection side 9 and the front side 10 can be of different arc in order to accommodate different sling widths and sling angles as described below.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the mounting 1 may have a oval or lozenge footprint or mounting surface 3 for engagement with a wall. However, alternatively the mounting could be rectangular or any other shape provided the pivot bar 2 is appropriately presented in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a mounting arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Thus, two mountings 31,32 as described previously with respect to mounting 1 in E ig. 1 and 2 are provided and secured to a wall. Each mounting 31,32 has a sling 33,34 threaded through the i apertures such that a part of the sling extends away and normally downwardly.

Thus, a surf board 3 5 can be manoeuTed into position such that a top edge of the surf board 35 engages the front side of each mounting 31,32 and each sling 33,34 brought around the bottom of the surf board 3. The sling thereby defines a mounting loop in engagement with a top edge of the pivot bar in each

mounting 31,32 whilst a bottom support loop 36,37 supports the surf board 35.

The sling is formed as a band through a fastening engagement between respective ends. Generally, this fastening will take the form of a hook and fleece/Nlelcro segment in each sling 33,34 which can be adjusted for length.

Alternatively, a belt buckle or stud arrangement may be provided but it will be appreciated that these arrangements effectively have incremental degrees of adjustment in comparison with more absolute adjustment pith a hook and fleece fastener engagement.

It will be noted that a bottom surface edge 38 of the board 35 is curved.

Thus, for flat line engagement between the support loop 36,37 and the bottom of edge 38 it is desirable that the respective mounting loops in engagement with the pivot bar are inclined such that each sling in use is presented at an angle 01, 02 to the perpendicular. It will also be understood that this inclined presentation of the sling 33,34 is facilitated by the pivot curvature in the mountings 31,32 so that the mounting loop is also in substantial flat contact engagement with the edge incorporating the pivot curvature.

By such flat engagement between the surf board 35 and the support loops 36,37 along with flat engagement between the shng 33,34 and the edge/pivot curvature there is less likelihood of wrinkling and so twisting of the sling 33,34 in use. In such circumstances, engagement of the top edge on the surf board 3 5 with the front side of the pivot bar ensures that the surf board 35 dangles substantially downward and away from the wall on which the mountings 31,32 are secured.

The angles 01, 82 will be determined by the curvature of the edge 38 and the spacing of the mountings 31,32 relative to the surf board 35. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that the pivot curvature provided in each mounting 31 can accommodate a relatively wide range of angles 01, 02 whilst retaining flat lay on engagement with the edge 38 and the pivot curvature in each mounting 31,32.

Fig. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a mounting arrangement in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 a

surf board 45 is secured and presented vertically by mountings 41,42 with slings 43,44 secured through apertures in the mountings 41,42 and extending around the surf board 35. As previously, the slings 43,44 extend from a pivot curvature about an edge between a projection side and a front side of the mountings 41,42. The slings 43,44 again include a fastening such as a Velcro overlap. The pivot curvature in the mountings 41,42 allows the straps to be presented at an angle to the direction of the major axis of the respective mountings 41,42. Thus, flat lay engagement between the slings 43,44 with the pivot curvature edge and the opposite edge of the surf board 45 is achieved.

Thus, friction engagement over the broad width of the respective slings 43,44 and a close tight grip by adjusting the fastenings 48,49 ensures that the surf board 45 is robustly retained. As previously, the front side of each mounting 41,42 engages a respective edge of a surf board 45 in order that the board is held away from a surface such as a wall on which the mountings 41,42 are secured. As indicated previously, there is broad contact between the straps 43,44 at a support loop end with the surf board 45. Typically, the slings 43,44 will be made from a webbing material such that there is good friction engagement between the shngs 43, 44 and the surf board. This may be enhanced by specific grip pads or portions secured to or integral within the slings 43,44. The slings may be formed from Nylon with a neoprene coating for durability and friction engagement. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross section of a mounting similar to mounting in the mounting arrangement depicted in Fig. 3. Thus, a mounting 51 includes a pivot bar 52 With a sling 53 to present and support a surf board 55. The pivot bar 2 incorporates a projection side 59 and a front side 60 such that an edge 58 between the sides 59,60 includes a pivot curvature as described previously to enable a shng 53 to engage the surf board 55 at a support loop end 61 and a mounting loop end 62 with the sling substantially in a Hat engagement with the curvature of the board 55 and edge 58. By such means, the board 55 is well

supported and presented by the sling 53 in an orientation which is away from a wall 50 upon which the mounting 51 is secured.

Typically, fins 63 of the surf board 55 will have robust plastic boots placed over them in order to ensure the surf board is kept away from the wall 50 if subjected to the collision. Nevertheless, the sling 3 due to the pivot curvature between the presentation side 59 and front side 60 along with adjusted sling length ensures that the surf board S 5 is presented away from the wall 50 in a normal equilibrium situation. The broad engagement over the width of the sling 53 at the edge on, over the protection side 59 along with the lip of the bottom aperture 49 ensures that through a friction engagement slippage of the sling 53 In this area is limited. Thus, as described previously, the sling Al can be adjusted through a fastener such as a hook and fleece or Velcro overlap to support the surf board 55. As the sling 52 cannot slip about the pivot bar 2 once adjusted the sling 52 cannot slip In order to allow the surf board to lie or rub against the wall 50. Furthermore, where the surf board 55 engages the mounting, either through the front side 60 or lip 49 it will be appreciated that the present mounting and mounting arrangement further prevents the surf board playing against the wall 50.

The mountings in accordance with the present invention may be made from plastics material or wood or any other material with sufficient strength to support the weight of a surf board. The mountings may be moulded or machined. Normally, two mountings in accordance with the present Intention will be used in a mounting arrangement in order to display, present or store a surf board. As indicated previously, a hook and fleece/\ielcro fastening Is preferred for the sling in order to allow close control of the sling length for adjustment. However, a fine increment type ratchet tie arrangement may also be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to

those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to andior shown in the draftings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A mounting for a surfboard, the mounting comprising a pivot bar spaced from a mounting surface, the pivot bar shaped to support in use a sling such that the sling extends away from the pivot bar, the pivot bar having a pivot I curvature to allow the sling to hang at an angle displaced from the perpendicular with substantially flat engagement between the sling and the pivot bar.

2. A mounting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivot bar includes a projection side against Which a sling in use lies.

3. A mounting as claimed in claim 2 wherein the projection side has an aspect angle to the plane of the mounting consistent with a desired downward extension of a sling in use.

4. A mounting as claimed in claim 3 wherein the aspect angle is zero so that the projection side is substantially in a plane parallel with but displaced from the plane of the mounting.

a. A mounting as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pivot bar includes a front side to present in use a sling as a mounting loop over the pivot bar With respective lengths of the sling extending down to form a support loop below.

6. A mounting as claimed in claim wherein the front side has an aspect angle whereby a portion of the sling lies against the front side.

/. A mounting as claimed in claim or claim 6 wherein the front side is substantially flat.

8. A mounting as claimed in claim: or claim 6 wherein the front side is substantially curved.

9. A mounting as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 when dependent upon claim 2 wherein an edge is formed between the top of the projection side and the top of the front side which incorporates the pivot curvature.

10. A mounting as claimed in claim 9 wherein the edge is curved between the projection side and the front side.

11. A mounting as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the edge is bowed across the projection side and the front side.

12. A mounting as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein both edges between the projection side and the front side include respective pivot curvatures.

13. A mounting arrangement comprising at least one mounting as claimed in any preceding claim and a sling such that in use the sling associated with each mounting can pivot about the pivot bar so that a lower support loop of each sling coincides with an arc centred above the line of interception between the or each mounting.

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein the arc Is consistent with the curved edge of a surf board when the mounting arrangement supports that surf board.

15. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the sling includes a fastener to facilitate location of the sling about a surf board in use.

16. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein the fastener is of a hook and fleece (Velcro) type.

17. A mounting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A mounting arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same Invention as any of the preceding claims.