US3339607A

US3339607A - Surfboard cover

Info

Publication number: US3339607A
Application number: US488522A
Authority: US
Inventors: Larry J Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-09-20
Filing date: 1965-09-20
Publication date: 1967-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-05

Description

Sept 5,1967 L. J. HOYWARD 3,339,607

SURFBOARD COVER Filed Sept. 20, 1965 I INVENTOR. LALQQV J. HOW/02D AGENT United States Patent Office 3 ,339,607 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 3,339,607 SURFBOARD COVER Larry J. Howard, Los Angeles, Calif. (Box 5122, North Hollywood, Calif.) Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,522 13 Claims. (Cl. 150-52) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Protective means are disclosed herein for covering a surfboard which includes an elongated sleeve adapted to receive a surfboard therein so that all surfaces of the surfboard are covered. The sleeve includes an entrance at one end thereof leading into its interior through which one end of the surfboard is introduced into the sleeve. Closure means are carried on the sleeve operable to selectively close the sleeve entrance so as to retain the sleeve about the surfboard. A pocket portion is formed in the sleeve substantially on the central longitudinal axis thereof at a location in close proximity to the sleeve entrance which is adapted to receive, protect and enclose a skag projecting from one surface of the surfboard.

The present invention relates to protective coverings and more particularly to .a novel cover for a surfboard suitable for protecting the surface and structure thereof and for providing means whereby the covered surfboard may be tied down to a conventional rack or carrier for storage or transportation purposes.

The sport of surfing employing custom surfboards is well established at the present time. The custom surfboards are generally made or constructed of light weight materials, such as foam compositions, plastic, fiberglass, etc. and offers exterior surfaces which are intended to be maintained smooth and slick so that optimum performance and enjoyment of the surfboard can be achieved. In fact, it is conventional surfing practice to improve the surfaces of the surfboard by applying heavy parafiin or wax thereto to maintain a non-skid surface so that the rider can more easily retain his position and balance thereon. Naturally, the exterior surfaces of the surfboard are easily damaged through rough handling, and particularly during transportation, of the surfboard from one location to another, the Wax surface or finish may be inadvertently damaged as well as structural portions of the surfboard itself such as the protruding skag or fin.

In order to transport the surfboard from remote locations such as from the surfers home to the beach, it is customary to transport the surfboard by mounting the board to a rack or carrier secured to the top or the back of an automobile. To protect the surfaces and the board itself, a variety of padding, such as blankets or quilts are employed to wrap the surfboard so that all portions of the board coming into contact with the rack will be protected followed by employing various lengths of line or rope to retain the wrapped surfboard to the rack.

Such a protective arrangement for the surfboard has been found highly unsatisfactory due to the fact that during transportation, the wind impinging upon the surfboard and the wrapping therefor causes the wrapping to become loose and sometimes displaced to the extent that the surface of the board comes into damaging contact with portions of the rack or, in other instances, the line employed to hold the board in position on the rack becomes loose which permits the board to slip and slide. Such events, of course, has the effect of loosening the surfboard from its anchored position on the rack so that it is free to scrape and rub against portions of the automobile or the rack which results in inadvertent damage to or loss of the board.

Furthermore, inasmuch :as the exterior surface and the overall configuration of the surfboard is extremely important in connection with the performance thereof, external protrusions and extensions such as may be employed for handles cannot be built into the surfboard itself. Since surfboards are relatively long and heavy structures, it is extremely diflicult to carry the surfboard by hand once the board has been taken from the rack on the automobile so that it may be carried to the beach. In many cases, it requires two persons to carry the surfboard so that damage thereto during the transportation of the board to the beach is avoided.

Accordingly, the novel protection means of the present invention comprises .a sleeve type cover composed of flexible material into which a conventional surfboard may be inserted and including a suitable closure means for completely encasing the surfboard in the protective cover. A feature of the present invention resides in the employment of tie down means disposed at strategic locations about the edges of the protective cover and having suitable fastenin g devices attached thereto so that the covered surfboard may be readily secured to a supporting rack on an automobile or the like. Furthermore, the tie down means may include handle means whereby the surfboard may be carried by one or two persons conveniently. Another embodiment of the invention includes constructing the cover from a padded material which not only offers increased protection to the surface and structure of the board itself but permits the surfboard cover to be used for wind protection of a person or for utility as a sleeping bag.

T hereto-re, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel protective means for protecting the exterior surface and structure of a surfboard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surfboard cover for the surface and structural protection thereof which includes tie down means or fasteners whereby the covered board may be rapidly and releasably secured to a rack or the like for transportation purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surfboard cover whereby a surfboard having a protruding fin or skag may be inserted therein via an enlarged opening into the cover and including closure means for securing the opening whereby the surfboard is completely covered so that all external surfaces thereof are adequately protected from inadvertent damage during handling or transportation thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surfboard cover for protecting the exterior surface and structure thereof which includes an accessory compartment forming a part of the cover which may be employed for storing beach accessories such as towels, caps, surfboard paraffin or wax, etc.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel protective means for a surfboard which protects not only the exterior thereof but which includes and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the novel protective cover of this invention showing a portion thereof broken away to illustrate a conventional surfboard enclosed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the surfboard and cover therefor as illustrated in FIGURE 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the surfboard and cover therefor taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a retainer or tie down means incorporated into the construction of the cover as illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a protective cover for a surfboard;

FIGURE 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover illustrated in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a rear elevational view of the cover illustrated in FIGURE 5 taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 thereof.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a novel protection means is indicated in the direction of arrow 10 for covering all exterior surfaces of a conventional surfboard 11 including the surfboard skag or fin 12 located at the extreme rear or aft end of the surfboard 11. The skag 12 is an upright projecting structural member lying in a plane along the central longitudinal axis of the surf board and it is particularly noted, with specific reference to FIGURE 3, that the surfboard cover 13 includes a pocket 14 forenclosing the surfboard skag. The surfboard cover 13 may be composed of any suitable material such as fabric, sailcloth, canvas, vinyl plastic or the like such that the material employed is flexible so that the cover may be folded for storage purposes and yet be weatherproof and compatible with conditions for long wearing. Preferably, the cover 13, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, takes the form of a sleeve-like member into which the surfboard 11 is inserted so that the cover fits snugly about the dimensions of the surfboard. The cover may be made from a single piece of flexible material which is folded over on itself and fastened together on its opposite ends by means of a seam 15 on the inside of the sleeve-like cover so as to provide a continuous external configuration. An area represented by the numeral 19 may be provided on one side of the cover 13 for suitably displaying a decorative pattern, such as a wide stripe as shown in broken lines on which may accommodate certain indicia or marking for purposes of advertising or identification. In this manner, the cover can be made easily recognizable from other covered surfboards.

Located about the external edge marginal regions or sides of the surfboard cover, there is provided a plurality of retainer or tie down means, such as a tab 16 which is composed of suitable flexible material such as fabric or the like and which has one end thereof suitably secured to the cover by such means as rivets, sewing or the like. Each tab is provided with a grommet 17 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 4 through which a suitable fastener is secured. The fastener may take the form of a length of rope or line ties '18 or may take the form of any suitable fastener adaptable to tightly secure the tab and thereby the surfboard cover to a rack or carrier intended to support or anchor the surfboard in place during transportation of the board between remote locations.

A feature of the present invention also resides in the provision of a handle grip, indicated by numeral 18 located on the edge of the surfboard cover midway between its opposite ends which serves as a single handle grip so that an individual may readily carry the surfboard without assistance from other persons. If necessary, handle grip 18 may also be employed to tie the covered surfboard onto a rack or other supporting structure if desired.

Tie down means and tabs therefor are also provided at the extreme fore end of the surfboard cover and the extreme aft end of the surfboard cover so that the covered board may be adequately anchored to supporting structure as desired.

The forward end of the surfboard cover is provided with a grommet opening 20 which communicates the interior of the cover externally thereof so that insertion of the surfboard from the aft end of the cover is more easily accommodated since any air trapped in the cover can be exhausted or expelled through the opening 20. Furthermore, opening 20 may be employed to dispell or drain any water which may inadvertently be trapped within the confines of the cover. I

A feature of the present invention resides in the closure construction of the aft end of the surfboard cover whichcomprises a double flap consisting of an upper flap 21 and a lower flap 22 which are joined together by a closure means 23 which in the present instance is shown as being a zipper. Flap 23 includes the pocket 14 for accommodating and covering the surfboard skag.

To cover the surfboard,

flaps

21 and 23 are separated as shown more clearly by the flaps indicated in dotted lines so that the surfboard may be inserted into the in terior of the cover 13. Once the forward end of the board has reached the region of the drain hole 20, the

flaps

21 and 22 may be fitted about the aft end of the surfboard followed by the closing of the cover by closure means 23 which extends between opposite edges of the cover. The sag is fitted within the pocket 14.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, another embodiment of the protective cover for a surfboard is shown in the general direction of arrow 40. The cover in this embodiment takes the form of a quilted cushion material such as represented by the numeral 41 which has the added advantage of providing increased surface protection to an enclosed surfboard as well as providing a warm and wind resistant covering for a person so that the cover may doubly serve as a sleeping bag. An additional feature of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, is the provision for an accessory pouch or pocket 42 wherein one side of the pocket may be represented by the cover 41 and the other surface or portion of the pocket being represented by a piece of material sewn about its edges to the cover 41. The pocket may be suitably stitched to provide a sectionized or compartmentized pocket for receiving such beach accessories such as towels, caps, or accessory surfboard equipment such as blocks or cakes of paraflin or wax. The pocket may be secured by means of suitable closure means 43 such as a Zipper for example.

About the edge marginal regions of the cover 41, there is provided a plurality of combination handle grip and tiedown tabs, such as represented by tab 44. Each tab includes a grommet 45 through which various fastening means such as straps or ropes may be provided and further includes an elongated aperture 46 which may be suitably gripped by the hand of an individual for carrying purposes. Inasmuch as hand gripping tabs are located fore and aft of the cover, the hand gripping means provides a suitable and convenient means for carrying the surfboard by two individuals or persons.

Referring to FIGURE 6, the aft end of the cover is shown having a novel closure means for substantially opening the aft end of the cover so that a surfboard may be easily inserted'into the cover and for closing the aft end of the cover about the aft end of the surfboard. It is to be noted that the cover includes a pair of cooperatlng sections 47 and. 48 which are configured to form about the skag of the surfboard and which includes a suitable closure means, such as 'zipper 50, that lies along the central longitudinal axis of the covered board for securing

sections

47 and 48 about the skag. Furthermore, to close the extreme aft end of the cover, a pair of closure means, such as

zippers

51 and 52 are employed that close the top and bottom portions of the cover by pulling the zippers from the edges of the cover towards the center thereof so that the end of the closure means terminates at

points

53 and 54 respectively. FIGURE 7 illustrates the aft end of the surfboard cover fully closed about a surfboard so that all the exterior surfaces of the surfboard are adequately protected by the quilting or padded material of the cover.

It is to be understood that although conventional zippers are shown for achieving closure of the aft end of the surfboard cover, other suitable closure means may be employed such as a plurality of grommets which may be interlaced by means of a line or rope which upon a pulling or drawing thereof, effects closure of the cover. Also, it is to be understood that although tabs made of canvas or other fabric are shown and described, it is to be understood that metal hooks, clamps or other types of fastening means may be employed for securing or tying the covered surfboard to a carrying rack.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protruding from one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sleeve of flexible material adapted to receive and enclose the surfboard therein so that all surfaces of the surfboard including the fin are covered;

said sleeve having an opening at one end thereof extending between the opposite edges thereof and leading into its interior through which one end of the surfboard is introduced into said sleeve;

closure means carried on said sleeve operable to selectively close said sleeve opening to retain said sleeve about the surfboard;

said sleeve including a pocket portion lying substantially on the central longitudinal axis of said sleeve at a location in close proximity to said sleeve opening and having a pair of cooperating flaps being adaptable to receive, protect and enclose the fin, said closure means operable to secure said pair of flaps; and

a plurality of tiedown means carried on opposite edge marginal regions of said sleeve about the periphery thereof for securing the sleeve enclosed surfboard to a rack or carrier.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed of padded material as added protection of the surfboard against inadvertent damage.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve includes an aperture formed therein at the end of said sleeve opposite to its end formed with said selectively closable opening to accommodate expulsion of entrapped air or water.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including I an accessory storage compartment carried on said sleeve wherein a portion of said sleeve forms a portion of said storage compartment.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said sheath entrance is defined by an upper flap and a said upper and lower flaps comprising the aft end of said sheath so that said sheath entrance extends across the extreme aft edge of said sheath and extends along the oposite side edges of said sheath; and wherein one of said flaps includes a pre-formed pocket adapted to receive and enclose the structural fin. 6. The invention as defined in claim !5 wherein said sheath entrance extending along the opposite side edges of said sheath terminate at a location between said extreme aft end of said sheath and a location mid-way between the opposite ends of said sheath.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure means includes a zipper adapted to be pulled from the end of one side of said sheath entrance to its opposite end via the extreme aft end of said sheath to releasably join said upper flap to said lower flap.

8. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protruding from one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sheath of flexible material having a pair of relatively wide and flat planar sides disposed in spaced relationship to each other and joined about their edge marginal regions so as to enclose all surfaces of the surfboard;

said sheath having an entrance at one end thereof leading into the interior of said sheath through which one end of the surfboard is introduced into said sheath between said pair of opposite sides, said sheath entrance being defined by an upper flap and a lower flap and wherein said lower flap includes a pre-formed pocket adapted to receive, protect and enclose the structural fin;

closure means carried on said sheath and being operable to selectively close said sleeve entrance to retain said sheath about the surfboard; and

a plurality of tie down means carried on opposite edge marginal regions of said sheath for securing the sheath enclosed surfboard to a rack or carrier.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sheath entrance is defined by the aft end of one of said planar sides of said pair and the aft end of the other planar side of said pair wherein said latter side includes a pair of flaps adapted to close together by said closure means along the central longitudinal axis of said sheath; and

wherein said pair of flaps are pre-formed so that when closed, a pocket is formed about the surfboard fin.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 including a handle secured to the edge marginal region of said shejath at a location mid-way between its opposite en: s.

11. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protruding from one surface thereof comprising:

said sheath having an entrance at one end thereof leading into the interior of said sheath through which one end of the surfboard is introduced into said sheath between said pair of opposite sides;

a plurality of tie down means carried on opposite edge marginal regions of said sheath for securing the sheath enclosed surfboard to a rack or carrier, each of said tie down means being formed with an elongated aperture that serves as a handle for effecting the transportation of the covered surfboard.

12. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protruding from one surface thereof comprising:

said sheath entrance is defined by a pair of pre-formed flaps integral with the aft end of one of said planar si es;

said flaps adapted to be joined together by said closure means along the central longitudinal axis of said sheath to enclose and cover the fin of the surfboard;

closure means carried on said sheath and being operable to selectively close said sleeve entrance to retain said sheath about the surfboard, said closure means including separate means for closing the extreme aft end of said sheath from one edge thereof to a point where said flaps join and for closing said sheath from its opposite edge to said point; and

13. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sheath entrance is defined by a pair of pre-formed flaps integral with the aft end of one of said planar sides;

said flaps adapted to be joined together by said closure means along the central longitudinal axis of said sheath to enclose and cover the fin of the surfboard.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bate 150 -54 Lorinovich 150'52 X Mickelberg 15052 X Strauss 224-421 Martell 15052 X Kolpin 15052 Kelly 9310 Southwick 15042 X France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims

1. A PROTECTIVE MEANS FOR A SURFBOARD HAVING A STRUTURAL FIN PROTRUDING FROM ONE SURFACE THEREOF COMPRISING: AN ELONGATGED SLEEVE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND ENCLOSE THE SURFBOARD THEREIN SO THAT ALL SURFACES OF THE SURFBOARD INCLUDING THE FIN ARE COVERED; SAID SLEEVE HAVING AN OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF EXTENDING BETWEEN THE OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF AND LEADING INTO ITS INTERIOR THROUGH WHICH ONE END OF THE SURFBOARD IS INTRODUCED INTO SAID SLEEVE: CLOSURE MEANS CARRIED ON SAID SLEEVE OPERABLE TO SELECTIVELY CLOSE AND SLEEVE OPENING TO RETAIN SAID SLEEVE ABOUT THE SURFBOARD; SAID SLEEVE INCLUDING A POCKET PORTION LYING SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SLEEVE AT A LOCATION IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID SLEEVE OPENING AND HAVING A PAIR OF COOPERATING FLAPS BEING ADAPTABLE TO RECEIVE, PROTECT AND ENCLOSE THE FIN, SAID CLOSURE MEANS OPERABLE TO SECURE SAID PAIR OF FLAPS; AND A PLURALITY OF TIEDOWN MEANS CARRIED ON OPPOSITE EDGE MARGINAL REGIONS OF SAID SLEEVE ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF FOR SECURING THE SLEEVE ENCLOSED SURFBOARD TO A RACK OF CARRIER.