IE87302B1 - Surfing practice and training device - Google Patents

Abstract

A surfing training simulator consisting of a swingboard, a platform and, a frame. The swingboard has a configuration of bearings mounted underneath which interact with a channel/slot in the platform below, so that the trajectory of the board and rider in swing, is controlled by the shape of the channel/slot in the platform. The device simulates the turns a surfer would complete on a wave and, helps to develop the coordination, balance, fitness and strength required for such manoeuvres in the sport of surfing and skateboarding.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a training and fitness device for the sport of surfing. It can also be utilized in the sport of skateboarding. The device will help a surfer learn how to complete turns whilst riding a wave and, helps the user to develop coordination, balance and strength used in the sport of surfing. io Background to the Invention The sport of surfing is constantly evolving and becoming ever more technical, with surfers completing more advanced manoeuvres. Recently there have been huge innovations in the development of wave pools which allow surfers to practice their sport away from the ocean. These pools are largely inaccessible and unaffordable to most 15 surfers which leave them little options for progressing in their sport. This can often lead to a tedious and frustrating learning curve.

Many surfers may have to work away from the coast or have limited transportation, allowing them very few options, for development and progress in the sport. Younger surfers may not have access to expensive equipment or frequent supervised outing to 20 the beach which creates a generational gap in the age groups found at surf breaks.

Add, to this the variety of geographical and natural conditions, such as wind direction and speed, swell size and direction, seasonal variants, etc., a surfer can avail of far less time practicing his/her sport than say, a person involved in, football, golf, etc.

Accordingly there exists the need for a device which simulates the action and 25 feeling of a surfboard on a wave, which can be setup at home, indoors or in the garden, and will help a surfer to develop the skills and fitness required for riding a surfboard Similar devices: Ref: US Patent no.5,062,629 US Patent no 4,966,364 05/07/2021 Statement of Invention The invention consists of 3 primary components, a swinging board, a fixed curved platform and an A-frame.

The swinging board has a configuration of bearings mounted to the bottom of the board 5 along its centre. The bearing configuration consists of two sleeves of vertically mounted bearings which interact with a channel/slot in the curved platform and, a flat/thrust bearing which allows the swingboard to rotate on the horizontal axis. At the 4 corners of the board, rope is attached in equal lengths which connect to a swivel on a frame above. io A curved platform is fixed to a framework below in which the curve of the platform is parallel in its length to the arc drawn by the swinging board. A channel/slot exists in the platform which receives the sleeve of bearings from the swinging board, so that the channel guides the swingboard as it moves from side to side. The frame consists of 2 Aframes and, a connection bar across the top. A swivel is bolted through the top bar at its centre. The rope/wire from the swinging board attaches to the swivel.

Brief description of the drawings The functionality of the invention can be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the device.

Figure 2 is a front view of the device.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the platform, showing the direction of movement through the channel/slot.

Figure 5 is a side view with a person standing on the board.

Figure 6 is a front view of the swingboard bearing and platform channel/slot configuration Figure 7 is a 3D perspective of a rider using the device in practice. 05/07/2021 Detailed description In describing the invention we must include the interaction of person/rider using the device in practice. The term “pumps” (*) is commonly used in the sport of surfing and skateboarding and refers to the transfer of energy, from a person’s body movements, to kinetic energy in the board. We will assume the person/rider is standing in regular position, i.e. Left foot forward. io Referring to the drawings we can discuss in detail the parts and function of the invention in practice.

Referring to Figure 1 and 7 we can see the main parts of the invention: An A-shaped support frame (5) including a crossbar (51) supported upon two pairs of A-frame leg columns (52) affixed to the crossbar and angularly extending therefrom.

The frame encloses a curved fixed platform (4) wherein the lowest part of the curved platform is positioned vertically under the central locus of the crossbar (51). Referring to figure 3 a channel/slot (12) is carved into the surface of the curved fixed platform.

Figure 1 and 7 shows a swingboard (3) connected to a swivel attachment (7) on the crossbar (51) using four ropes. These ropes (6) being connected from each of the four 20 comers of the swingboard (31,32,33,34) to the swivel attachment. The swivel attachment (7) being bolted to and positioned in the centre of the length of the crossbar.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in particular figure 1 and 6, there are two bearing sleeves (1,2) bolted perpendicular to a plate (11). These bearing sleeves (1,2) assist the gliding of the swingboard in the channel/slot (12). The plate (11) is bolted 25 through its centre to the swingboard (3). The plate (11) and the swingboard (3) are separated by a flat/thrust bearing (10) which allow the swingboard to rotate on a horizontal axis. The bearing sleeves (1,2) and the plate (11) are mounted in place by bolts and a secured with a fixing mechanism such as a nut. The sleeves of bearings (1,2) allow the swingboard to be guided smoothly through the channel/slot (12) in the 30 curved platform (4). 05/07/2021 A person stands on the swingboard and wears a harness (8) attached to the swivel attachment (7) connected to the crossbar (51). This harness (8) will comprise of a back portion, two arm openings and a front closing mechanism.

Referring to figure 3 and figure 4 an elasticated member (14) is attached to the front of 5 the swingboard at one end and, a central position on the side of the platform at the other, at one end and, a central position on the side of the platform at the other, to assist the user in making the required turn back into the channel/slot.

The arrows show the direction in which the swingboard and rider will move. The person/rider “pumps” (*) back and forth to gain momentum and the swingboard and io bearings moves back and forth in the slot. As the swingboard nears the end of the channel/slot the elasticated member (14) pulls the front of the board around to help the rider begin a 180 degree turn, so that they are now facing back towards the lower portion of the curved platform. This first turn simulates a “front side” turn very similar to that experienced on a wave.

The hder/swing is now guided by the channel/slot (12) via the bearing sleeves back through the platform where, nearing the opposite side the elasticated member again pulls the front of the swingboard around and the rider completes another 180 degree turn. This turn simulates a “backhand” turn very like that experienced on a wave.

The swing will now be guided back to its starting position in the channel/slot. The rider 20 will now have completed a full cycle of the invention, and pumps once again to build momentum for completing another revolution.

Referring to figure 3, an elasticated member (14) is attached between the front of the board and the platform to help the board to make the turn. This can be removed when the rider becomes proficient at turning.

Claims (3)

Claims

1. A device for practicing the sport of surfing and skateboarding, consisting of: a support frame (5), wherein the frame (5) includes a crossbar (51) supported upon two pairs of A-frame leg columns (52) affixed to the crossbar and angularly extending 5 therefrom; a swingboard (3) connected to the crossbar (51) via at least four ropes/wires (6), and a swivel attachment (7), wherein the ropes (6) are attached at one end to the four comers (31, 32, 33, 34) of the swingboard (3) and at their other ends to the swivel attachment (7), wherein the io swivel attachment is bolted and positioned centrally along the length of the crossbar (51); a curved platform (4) positioned within the two pairs of leg columns (52), wherein the lowest part of the curved platform is positioned vertically under the central locus of the crossbar (51), 15 wherein the curved platform (4) contains a channel/slot (12) carved into the top surface of the curved platform; wherein the swingboard (3) has mounted to its underside, a bearing configuration, wherein there are two sleeves of bearings (1,2) mounted perpendicular to a plate (11) which is mounted to the bottom of the swingboard (3), wherein the plate and the 20 swingboard are separated with a flat/thrust bearing (10), so as the swingboard (3) can rotate; wherein the sleeves of bearings (1,2) allow the swingboard to be guided smoothly through the channel/slot (12) in the curved platform (4).

2. A device for practicing the sport of surfing and skateboarding as claimed in claim 25 1 further comprising a user harness (8) connected to the swivel attachment (7), wherein the harness (8) comprises a back portion, two arm openings and a front closing mechanism.

3. A device for practicing the sport of surfing and skateboarding as claimed in claim 1 wherein optionally an elasticated member (14) is attached from the front of the curved 30 swingboard at one end to assist the user in making the required turn back into the channel/slot.