Rotational leash plug system for surf boards

Abstract

The invention discloses a rotational leash plug system for surf boards including an outer ring housing, a spherical or cylindrical element, in particular a ball or a cylinder, a stainless steel or brass pin attached to the rolling element and a bottom cap. A safety surf leash is attached to the pin centered in the ball to achieve a safety connection between surfer, in particular attached to the leg of the surfer, and a surfboard. The rotational element is free to rotate in x, y, and z axis inside the outer ring housing and the bottom cap. The spherical element is able to follow the force vector of the leash pulling the pin. The surf plug system can therefore follow the movement of the safety surf leash and or the surfer attached to the leash as soon as there is a pull force applied to the pin inside the surf plug system.

Claims

1. A rotational leash assembly system for surfboards comprising: a spherical element; an outer ring housing; a bottom cap; a metal shaft member; said spherical member having a cup shaped recess; said spherical member rotatably enclosed within said outer ring housing and said bottom cap; said outer ring member and bottom cap capable of being glued into a recess formed within a standard surfboard thereby fixedly attaching said rotational leash assembly to said surfboard; said metal shaft member horizontally embedded into said spherical member in such a way that said metal shaft member is exposed within said cup shaped recess and said metal shaft member capable of slidably retaining a surf leash cable with said metal shaft member with said metal shaft member as the surf leash cable connection being located within the geometry of the spherical element.

2. A rotational leash assembly system for surfboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer ring housing comprises ring portion and a separate top cover portion; said top cover portion having an aperture allowing said surf leash cable to exit said ring housing and said top cover portion being glued or co-molded onto said ring portion.

3. A rotational leash assembly system for surfboards as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly can be inserted into a hole type aperture either on the top surface of a surfboard or on the rear edge of a surfboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side section view of a surf board with vertical installation of the plug system

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective explosion view of a surf board with vertical installation of the plug system

(3) FIG. 3 is a side section view of a surf board with horizontal installation of the plug system

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective explosion view of the surf board with horizontal installation of the plug system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) A pin 4 is inserted, in particular pressed and or glued into a spherical element, in particular a ball 3 that is inserted into an outer ring housing 2. To prevent the ball from falling out of the outer ring housing 2 during the insertion into the surf board, and to prevent debris, glue or resin to enter the leash plug system 6 from the bottom, a bottom cap 5 is inserted into the outer ring housing 2, in particular pressed and or glued in. The spherical element 3 is now able to roll on the raceway surface of the outer ring housing 2 and on the raceway surface of the bottom cap 5. A hole needs to be drilled into the surfboard 1 and in particular needs be filled with resin 8. The leash plug system 6 is pushed into the resin 8 that creates a material bond between outer ring housing 2, bottom cap 5, and the surfboard 1. One end of the cord of the safety leash 7 is pulled through the spherical element 3 underneath the pin 4 and be connected back to the surf leash 7. The pin 4 prevents the leash 7 from being pulled out of the spherical element 3 which creates a connection between surf leash 7, the pin 4 and the spherical element 3. As the spherical element 3 is able to roll on the raceway of the outer ring housing 2 and the raceway of the bottom cap 5 the spherical element 3 can rotate freely and will be directed into the direction of the surf leash 7.

(6) This description is valid for both the vertical installation of the surf plug system FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as well as the horizontal installation of the surf plug system FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. It is also possible to additionally ad a seal 10 between spherical element 3 and outer ring housing 2 to prevent sand or debris from getting in the gap between the spherical element 3 and the outer ring housing 2 raceway.

(7) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of surfboard 1 with the surf leash system assembly 6 ready to be inserted into aperture

(8) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment where the alternate surf leash system assembly 60 is installed at the rear edge of the surfboard 1 and held in place by epoxy resin 8. A plug 62 cradles the bottom of ball 3 and an outer sleeve 64 cradles the sides of ball 3. The outer sleeve 64 captures the ball 3 and allows it to rotate freely without being impeded by sand or other debris. Surfboard leash 7 is identical in structure and operation as the first embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the alternate embodiment 60 about to be installed into the aperture of surf board 1.

REFERENCE LIST

(10) pin 4 spherical element, ball 3 outer ring housing 2 bottom cap 5 surf board 1 leash plug system 6 resin 8 surf leash attachment cable 7 seal 10 leash plug system alternate embodiment 60 plug in alt. embodiment 62 outer sleeve in alt. embodiment 64