US3604031A - Hydrofoil board - Google Patents

Abstract

A generally flat generally horizontal platform is provided with a plurality of generally downwardly extending struts secured at upper ends to the bottom surface of the platform and at bottom ends to corresponding inclined foils. The apparatus is adapted to be towed in water behind a motor boat and to be ridden in the same manner as water skis and the like. In use the platform rises vertically out of the water to a height determined by the length of the struts.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Michael J. Cahill 53A Beaver Terrace Clrcle, Framingham, Mass. 01701; Ernest G. La Casse, 2008 Bentely Place, Charlotte, N.C. 28205 [21] Appl. No. 802,032 [22] Filed Feb. 25, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [54] HYDROFOIL BOARD 41 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs,

[52] US. Cl 9/310 C, 114/665 [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 15/00, B63b 1/30 [50] Field of Search /310; 114/665 l-l;115/235.1, 235 WS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,910,708 11/1959 Albright 9/310 2,930,338 3/1960 Flornenhoftw w m 5/ 1960 Szymczyk et a1.

Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Sauberer Attorney-Charles l-lieken ABSTRACT: A generally flat generally horizontal platform is 1 provided with a plurality of generally downwardly extending struts secured at upper ends to the bottom surface of the platform and at bottom ends to corresponding inclined foils. The apparatus is adapted to be towed in water behind a motor boat and to be ridden in the same manner as water skis and the like. In use the platform rises vertically out of the water to a height determined by the length of the struts.

PATENIED :SEP 14 Ian INVEN'IORS ERNEST 6. [ACASSg MICHAEL J. CAI-(ILL HYDROFOIL BOARD SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In my invention, three spaced-apart elongated struts extend generally vertically downward from the bottom surface of a generally flat generally horizontal platform. These struts are not disposed along a common line. One strut is actually vertical; the other two struts extend inclinedly outwards in opposite directions. A first vertically inclined fiat foil is secured to the bottom end of the one strut. A second foil has both a horizontal portion and an upwardly and outwardly extending portion is secured to the bottom end of a third strut. The horizontal portions of the second and third foils extend toward each other.

Typically, a cord or cable is connected to the second and third struts and is also connected to the rear of the motorboat for use. A second cable can be secured at both ends to the top surface of the platform for use by the rider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a strut construction; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform used in our invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, we show a particular form of our invention which we call a Manta-Foil since the platform which is generally horizontal and generally flat is curved in such manner as to resemble a Manta Ray. It will be understood that the platform in use is out of the water and in principle can have any shape as long as a rider can ride its top surface, supporting himself by cable 12 secured at both ends in spaced-apart positions to the top surface.

Two spaced-apart struts 14 and 16 extend generally downward in spaced-apart positions from the front of the under surface of the platform, actually extending inclinedly outward away from each other. A third strut l8 spaced apart from and to the rear of both struts extends vertically downwards from the rear surface.

A first flat foil 38 extending rearwards and inclinedly downwards is secured to the bottom of strut 18.

A second foil has a horizontal portion 20 and an outwardly and upwardly inclined portion 22. The bottom of strut 14 is secured to both portions 20 and 22.

A third foil has a horizontal portion 24 and an outwardly and upwardly inclined portion 26. The bottom of strut 16 is secured to both portions 24 and 26. Portions 20 and 24 are disposed adjacent each other.

Struts l4 and 16 have eyes 28 to which a split cable 30 can be secured, the other end of the cable (which is not split) being securable to the motorboat.

Each strut has two outer and inner members 32 and 34 which fit telescopically together, the outer and inner members each having vertically spaced holes 40 which can be aligned and joined together by bolting elements 36 to lengthen or shorten the struts whereby the platform can be raised or lowered to a selected height above the water when in use.

The struts can be made of aluminum tubing and rod. The remaining portions, i.e., the platform and foils can be formed of a durable plastic.

As previously described, when our invention is towed through water by a motor boat and ridden as water skis, zip sleds and the like, the platform rises out of the water to a height determined by the length of the struts.

While we have described our invention with particular reference to the drawings such is not to be considered as limitin its actual scope.

aving thus described this invention what lS asserted as new l. A hydrofoil board comprising:

a generally horizontal platform having a front and a rear;

a pair of spaced-apart struts extending generally downward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the front, said struts extending inclinedly downward and outward from each other;

an additional strut spaced from said pair and extending vertically downward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the rear;

three hydrofoils, each hydrofoil being secured to the bottom end of the corresponding strut;

first and second ones of said hydrofoils being attached to respective ones of said pair of spaced struts each having a normally substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly toward the other from its respective strut and joined with a portion extending upward toward said platform away from each other from its respective strut;

the third of said hydrofoils extending rearwardly inclinedly downward from said additional strut;

and towing means comprisinga Y-shaped cable with each respective branch thereof attached to respective ones of said pair of spaced apart struts below said platform.

2. A board as set forth in claim 1, wherein each strut is provided with means for varying the length thereof.

3. A board as set forth in claim 2 wherein said platform has the shape of a Manta Ray.

4. A hydrofoil board in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising rider support means secured to the front of said platform extending upward therefrom for providing support for a rider on said board.

Claims (4)

1. A hydrofoil board comprising: a generally horizontal platform having a front and a rear; a pair of spaced-apart struts extending generally downward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the front, said struts extending inclinedly downward and outward from each other; an additional strut spaced from said pair and extending vertically downward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the rear; three hydrofoils, each hydrofoil being secured to the bottom end of the corresponding strut; first and second ones of said hydrofoils being attached to respective ones of said pair of spaced struts each having a normally substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly toward the other from its respective strut and joined with a portion extending upward toward said platform away from each other from its respective strut; the third of said hydrofoils extending rearwardly inclinedly downward from said additional strut; and towing means comprising a Y-shaped cable with each respective branch thereof attached to respective ones of said pair of spaced apart struts below said platform.

2. A board as set forth in claim 1, wherein each strut is provided with means for varying the length thereof.

3. A board as set forth in claim 2 wherein said platform has the shape of a Manta Ray.

4. A hydrofoil board in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising rider support means secured to the front of said platform extending upward therefrom for providing support for a rider on said board.

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