WO2005025979A1

WO2005025979A1 - A foot strap system

Info

Publication number: WO2005025979A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam John Gallagher
Original assignee: Adam John Gallagher
Priority date: 2003-09-18
Filing date: 2004-09-20
Publication date: 2005-03-24
Also published as: AU2003100792A4

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a foot strap system (10) for use on surfboards where the strap member (25) can be removed when not in use to provide a substantially smooth and uninterrupted deck surface (11). In the operative position the surfer can perform radical maneuvers which would otherwise be difficult or impossible without the foot strap system (10). A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the foot strap system (10) is that a surfer may change between operative and non-operative foot strap positions while they are in the water depending on the surfer's inclination and wave conditions and store the strap member (25) within the cuff of the leg rope for safe-keeping.

Description

A FOOT STRAP SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a foot strap system for use on watercraft including surfboards, sailboards, surf skis, wake and knee boards and boards used for kite surfing. This invention has particular but not exclusive application for use on a surfboard. The description in the body of the specification refers to the use of the invention in relation to a surfboard but this is by way of example only and the invention can be used with other watercraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Surfing is a sport enjoyed by many people. It has gained popularity over recent times due to the advancements in board design and developments in the sport. Some surfers enjoy performing radical maneuvers including aerial maneuvers while surfing a wave. Surfers who perform these radical maneuvers are always looking at ways to improve the manoeuvres and develop new radical manoeuvres. The problem that these surfers encounter is that as the maneuvers become more extreme, it is becoming more difficult to stay on the board. Other surfers have experimented with boards and techniques for surfing big waves. These surfers are towed behind jet skis into the face of a large and powerful wave. It is not possible for the surfers to catch these big waves by paddling into the wave. As a consequence of the need to be towed and the rapid acceleration and speed enjoyed while surfing a big wave, the surfers have permanently fixed one or more foot straps to the deck of their board. The foot strap allows them to maintain the position of their feet on the board in circumstance that it would be otherwise difficult. However, the permanent fixing of foot straps to the deck of the board largely prevents a surfer from lying on the board and paddling out to catch a wave.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternate foot strap system for use on a surfboard that overcomes at least in part one or more of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect the invention resides in a foot strap system for use on a watercraft for a person to securely position one or both feet, including: a base means including a deck member which has a lower side fixable to the deck of the watercraft and an upper side with a first part fastener means, said deck member is locatable in a position on the deck that corresponds to the operative position of said one or both feet, said base means also includes at least one attachment member pivotally fixed to the deck member and having a second part fastener means on the lower surface of the attachment member and complementary to the first part fastener means; a strap member with a first part fastener means on an upper surface and ~ complementary to the second part fastener means of the attachment member, wherein the strap member is removably attachable to at least one attachment member. The fastener means is preferably a hook and eye fastener. More preferably the hook and eye fastener is the Velcro-type fastener where a first part is fastenable to a second part. Alternatively the fastener means may be other suitable fasteners such as press studs, clasp systems and buckle systems. In a further aspect the invention resides in a foot strap system for use on a watercraft for a person to securely position one or both feet, including: a base means including a deck member which has a lower side fixable to the deck of the watercraft and an upper side with a first part of a hook and eye fastener on the surface, said deck member is locatable in a position on the deck that corresponds to the operative position of said one or both feet, said base means also includes at least one attachment member pivotally fixed to the deck member and having a second part of a hook and eye fastener on the lower opposing surface of the attachment member and complementary to the first part of a hook and eye fastener; a strap member with a first part hook and eye fastener on an upper surface and complementary to the second part of the hook and eye fastener of the attachment member, wherein the strap member is removably attachable to at least one attachment member. The term watercraft includes surfboards, sailboards, wake boards, knee boards, boards for kite surfing and surf skis. The deck member preferably has an adhesive on the lower side in order to fix the member to the deck. The deck member is preferably a thin plastic or woven member that when fixed to the deck becomes substantially flush with the deck. The at least one attachment member preferably forms a hinge attachment with the deck member. The at least one attachment member is more preferably sewn to the deck member to form the hinge attachment. The at least one attachment member preferably includes a web section to provide strength and flexibility and a second part fastener means fixed to the lower surface of the web section. The web section is preferably hinged to the deck member. The at least one attachment member may also have a resiliently deformable foam section fixed to the upper surface of the web section. There are preferably two attachment members. The attachment members are preferably substantially aligned with free ends of each member adjacent each other. The distal ends of each member relative to the adjacent member are preferably hinged to the deck member. The strap member preferably has a degree of elasticity to provide some give yet provide a secure and comfortable fitting. Preferably, the strap member is attached to the at least one attachment member in a raised arched shape to accommodate a person's foot. Preferably, the strap member also has one or more tie members extending laterally from adjacent the free ends. The one or more tie members are preferably adapted to attach the strap member to the attachment member, a leg rope or other suitable member. The one or more tie members more preferably extend laterally at each end from each side of the strap member and have complementary hook and eye fastener parts so that the tie members can be overlaid and fastened to each other. In relation to surfboards, the foot strap system is preferably used with the surfer's lead foot or both feet of the surfer. Preferably the at least one attachment member can be fastened to the corresponding deck member to provide a substantially flat surface and substantially flush with the deck when the foot strap is not in use. In this way the foot strap does not provide a hindrance to a surfer lying on the board in the prone position and paddling. In this situation the strap member may be attached to the surfer or the leg rope using the second part fastener means for attachment purposes. Preferably the strap member is attachable to the cuff of a leg rope. Alternatively the strap member is attachable to the person's clothes or wetsuit. In this way the strap member can be attached to form the foot strap system at any time whether on the beach, in the water or any place away from the surf. Preferably the deck member is partly or entirely surrounded by cover member. The cover member preferably provides a grip surface. The cover member preferably is made of resiliently deformable material. More preferably, the cover member is made of resiliently deformable foam material similar to the resiliently deformable foam section fixed to the upper surface of the web section. Preferably, the cover member is substantially flat and substantially flush with the deck. Where there is a cover member and attachment member, the cover member forms a substantially continuous uninterrupted surface with the deck. Preferably, the cover member and attachment member fixed to the surface of the deck of a surfboard in a non-operative position allows a person to lie on the board and paddle without hindrance. In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a kit for a foot strap for use on a watercraft including: a deck member which has a lower side fixable to the deck of the watercraft and an upper side with a first part of a hook and eye fastener on the surface, said deck member is locatable in a position on the deck that corresponds to the operative position of a person's foot or feet; at least one attachment member pivotally fixed to the deck member and having a second part of a hook and eye fastener on the lower opposing surface of the attachment member and complementary to the first part of a hook and eye fastener; and a removable strap member with a first part hook and eye fastener on an upper surface and complementary to the second part of the hook and eye fastener of the attachment member. Preferably there is a cover member that partly or entirely surrounds the deck member to provide a substantially continuous and uninterrupted deck surface. The features and variations of the different components of the kit are described in the abovementioned system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment of the foot strap system in a non-operative position; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment of the foot strap system in the operative position; Figures 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views of the strap member from a top and bottom perspective respectively; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the strap member attached to the cuff of a leg rope; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the deck and attachment members; and Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the foot strap system with the cover member in the operative position and non-operative position respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the Figures there is shown a foot strap system 10 including a deck member 11, attachment member 12 and a surrounding cover member 13. The deck member 11 is a thin sheet with an adhesive layer on the lower surface (not shown) and a first part Velcro-type fastener 14 on the upper surface 15. The deck member 11 is fixed to the operative position where a person would place their foot or feet when using the surfboard. The deck member in another embodiment may be designed to support both feet. In a further embodiment there may be two separate deck members to separately support each foot. In the present preferred embodiment the deck member 11 is positioned to support the surface front foot. The attachment member 12 comprises of three layers including an upper resiliently deformable foam layer 16. The foam layer 16 is fixed to a web strapping layer 17. The web strapping layer 17 provides strength and durability. The web strapping layer 17 is fixed to the deck member 11 forming hinge 18, allowing the attachment member 12 to be raised and lowered relative to the deck member 11 about the hinge axis. There is also a lower layer (not shown) comprising a complementary second part Velcro-type fastener 20 that can fasten to the first part Velcro-type fastener 14 of the deck member 11. With the preferred embodiment there are two attachment members 12 substantially aligned and fixed at distal ends to form hinges 18 so that the attachment members 12 can be raised in substantially opposite directions. The free ends 22 of the attachment members 12 are adjacent each other when the attachment members 12 are in the non-operative position. The cover member 13 surrounds the deck member 11 and attachment members 12 and provides a substantially smooth uninterrupted deck surface. The cover member 13 is made of resiliently deformable foam similar to that on the upper layer 16 of the attachment member 12. The resiliently deformable foam material also has a gripping surface to provide the surfer with traction when the foot strap system 10 is in the non-operative position and the surfer is either lying on the board or standing on the board. In the operative position a strap member 25 is fastened to the lower side of the attachment member 12 where the second part Velcro-type fastener 20 on the lower side of the attachment member 12 fastens to a complementary first part Velcro-type fastener 26 on the upper side 27 of the strap member 25. The fastening of the strap member 25 to the attachment members 12 forms a raised arch 28 for allowing the placement of a foot. Laterally extending tie members 30 from each side at each end are positioned around each attachment member 12 and fastened with complementary Velcro-type fastener parts. The tie members 30 serve to maintain the fastening of the strap member 25 to the attachment members 12. When not in use, the strap member 25 can be fastened to the cuff 32 of a leg rope 33 with the use of the tie members 30. In this way the strap member 25 can be stored with the board and fitted in an operative position and vice versa at any time including when the surfer is in the surf with his board. The strap member 25 is fitted to the attachment members 12 by lifting the attachment members 12 from the deck member 11 , fastening the strap member 25 to the underside of the attachment members 12, then wrapping the tie members 30 around the attachment members 12 and fastening them together with complementary Velcro-type fastening parts. ADVANTAGES The preferred embodiment of the foot strap system provides the advantage that when in the non-operative position, there is little or no interference with the surfer paddling out to catch a wave or standing on their board. In the operative position the surfer can perform radical maneuvers which would otherwise be difficult or impossible without the foot strap. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the foot strap system is that a surfer may change between operative and non-operative foot strap positions while they are in the water depending on the surfer's inclination and wave conditions. Furthermore, in the non-operative position the strap member can be stored within the cuff of the leg rope for safe-keeping.

VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A foot strap system for use on a watercraft for a person to securely position one or both feet, including: a base means including a deck member which has a lower side fixable to the deck of the watercraft and an upper side with a first part of a hook and eye fastener on the surface, said deck member is locatable in a position on the deck that corresponds to the operative position of said one or both feet, said base means also includes at least one attachment member pivotally fixed to the deck member and having a second part of a hook and eye fastener on the lower opposing surface of the attachment member and complementary to the first part of a hook and eye fastener; a strap member with a first part hook and eye fastener on an upper surface and complementary to the second part of the hook and eye fastener of the attachment member, wherein the strap member is removably attachable to at least one attachment member.

2. A foot strap system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook and eye fastener is a Velcro-type fastener.

3. A foot strap system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the deck member has a lower adhesive layer for fixing to the deck of a board.

4. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one attachment member includes a webbing strap fixed to the deck member.

5. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there are two attachment members fixed at their distal ends relative to each other to the deck member to form a hinge arrangement.

6. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a cover member that partly or entirely surrounds the deck member and has a gripping surface.

7. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a cover member that partly or entirely surrounds the deck member and is made of resiliently deformable material.

8. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the strap member is attachable to the at least one attachment member in a raised arched shape to accommodate a person's foot.

9. ' A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the strap member has one or more tie members extending laterally from adjacent each end from each side.

10. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the strap member has one or more tie members extending laterally from adjacent each end from each side and having complementary Velcro-type fastener parts on opposing tie members.

11. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the foot strap can be fastened to the cuff of a leg rope when it is not in use.

12. A foot strap system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the foot strap system is fitted to the deck of a surfboard and is positioned to secure the front foot of the surfer.

13. A kit for a foot strap for use on a watercraft including: a deck member which has a lower side fixable to the deck of the watercraft and an upper side with a first part of a hook and eye fastener on the surface, said deck member is locatable in a position on the deck that corresponds to the operative position of a person's foot or feet; at least one attachment member pivotally fixed to the deck member and having a second part of a hook and eye fastener on the lower opposing surface of the attachment member and complementary to the first part of a hook and eye fastener; and a removable strap member with a first part hook and eye fastener on an upper surface and complementary to the second part of the hook and eye fastener of the attachment member.

14. A kit for a foot strap as claimed in claim 13 wherein the hook and eye fastener is a Velcro-type fastener and there is a cover member that partly or entirely surrounds the deck member to provide a substantially continuous and uninterrupted deck surface.

15. A foot strap system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.