Abstract
A saddle for an aquatic board is disclosed. The saddle is equipped with a strap or straps and/or edge wise clamps, or other suitably firm fastener, to engage and maintain position on the aquatic board positioned beneath the saddle. A user can then stand on the board and squeeze the saddle between their knees and ankles and maintain an enhanced balance on the board or, if fatigued, can sit or kneel alongside or on the saddle and paddle/ride from a seated or kneeling position. The saddle may be inflatable or solid and may include an inner void for storage for personal effects or equipment. The saddle may further include a speaker, cup holder, handles, or other optional features.
Claims
1. A saddle for an aquatic board having an upper surface for user engagement thereon, said saddle comprising: an upper seat portion located atop and associated with a lower base portion, and at least one pair of straps attached to said base portion for attaching said base portion to said upper surface of said board using anchors associated with said upper surface, wherein, said seat portion and lower base portion form a tapered shape increasing from front to back, in a longitudinal orientation along said board, and said seat portion has a slope from back to front, and an overall height, when mounted on said board, of between 10 and 24 inches and an overall width of 6 to 14 inches.
2. A saddle as in claim 1, wherein: said board is a stand-up paddle board.
3. A saddle as in claim 1, wherein: said board is a windsurfer.
4. A saddle as in claim 1, further comprising; a second pair of straps attached to said base portion for attaching said base portion to said upper surface.
5. A saddle as in claim 1, wherein: said seat portion and lower base portion are comprised of buoyant foam.
6. A saddle as in claim 1, wherein: said saddle is inflatable.
7. An inflatable saddle for an aquatic board having an upper surface for user engagement thereon, said saddle comprising: an upper seat portion located atop and associated with a lower base portion, and at least one first pair of straps attached to said base portion for attaching said base portion to said upper surface of said board using anchors associated with said upper surface, wherein, said seat portion and lower base portion form a tapered shape increasing from front to back, in a longitudinal orientation along said board, and said seat portion has a slope from back to front, and an overall height, when mounted on said board, of between 10 and 24 inches and an overall width of 6 to 14 inches.
8. An inflatable saddle as in claim 7, further comprising: a set of harness straps for enveloping said aquatic board, said harness straps having a pair of wrap straps enveloping said board and a joining strap spanning between said pair of wrap straps, said harness further having said anchors affixed thereto.
9. An inflatable saddle as in claim 7, further comprising: a first saddle strap enveloping a forward end of said saddle and attaching to said first pair of straps.
10. An inflatable saddle as in claim 8, further comprising: a second saddle strap enveloping a rearward end of said saddle and attaching to a second pair of straps attached to said base portion for attaching said saddle to said anchors.
11. A method of attaching an inflatable saddle seat to an aquatic board, comprising: mounting a harness to said board, said harness including a pair of wrap straps and a joining strap spanning between said wrap straps, and saddle anchor loops fixedly attached to said harness and oriented on an upper side of said aquatic board; inflating said inflatable saddle, said saddle having a seat portion and base portion, and forming a tapered shape increasing from front to back, in a longitudinal orientation along said board, and said seat portion has a slope from back to front, and an overall height, when mounted on said board, of between 10 and 24 inches and an overall width of 6 to 14 inches; mounting said inflatable saddle seat using cinch straps attached thereto, and attaching said cinch straps to said saddle anchor loops and tightening said cinch straps to affix said saddle to said harness.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of the saddle invention showing it attached to a standup paddle board.
(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the device of FIG. 1 strapped to the paddle board.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the device as shown in FIG. 1.
(4) FIG. 4 is an oblique rear view of one embodiment of the invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is an oblique front view of an embodiment of the invention associated with a paddle board.
(6) FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of a user in a partially kneeling position using the version of the device shown in FIG. 5.
(7) FIG. 7 is an oblique forward view of a single strap alternative embodiment of the invention associated with a paddle board.
(8) FIG. 8 is a side view schematic of a user riding and using the version shown in FIG. 7.
(9) FIG. 9 shows edgewise clamps for attaching any version of the invention to a board located beneath.
(10) FIG. 10 shows a top view saddle device in accord with the present invention with dotted lines indicating interior compartment.
(11) FIG. 11 is a side view of the saddle shown in FIG. 10.
(12) FIG. 12 is an oblique rear view of the device shown in FIG. 10.
(13) FIG. 13 is a forward view of the device shown in FIG. 10.
(14) FIG. 14 is an embodiment of the invention showing hook and loop fasteners between the saddle and the underlying board.
(15) FIG. 15 shows a side view of an inflatable embodiment of the present invention with straps in position to wrap an underlying board.
(16) FIG. 16 shows the embodiment from FIG. 15 in position on an underlying board.
(17) FIG. 17 shows the embodiment of FIG. 15 in position, in a side view, on a board.
(18) FIG. 18 shows an inflator being used to inflate an air-filled version of the invention.
(19) FIG. 19 shows the orientation of an aquatic board being fitted with attaching straps.
(20) FIG. 20 shows the orientation of attaching straps along an upper surface of an underlying board.
(21) FIG. 21 shows the straps being cinched in the direction of the shown arrows around a board.
(22) FIG. 22 shows the proper orientation of the supporting straps for the saddle.
(23) FIG. 23 shows the retaining loops for the saddle attached to the underlying board straps.
(24) FIG. 24 shows the inflated saddle being placed onto the board attached strap set.
(25) FIG. 25 shows the saddle short straps being linked to the underlying board straps.
(26) FIG. 26 shows a top view of a board equipped with four anchor points for the saddle attachment straps.
(27) FIG. 27 shows an oblique rear view of a board saddle in accord with the present invention with the saddle attachment straps in position for attachment to the anchor points shown in FIG. 26.
(28) FIG. 28 shows an oblique forward view of a saddle in position on the board shown in FIG. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(29) With reference to the drawing FIGS. 1-14: The saddle 30 has an upper portion for seating and lower portion 40 for attachment to strap(s) 50 which wrap around a paddle board 10 located beneath the saddle. The saddle may include optional foot locator pads 36 (shown dotted) alongside the saddle on each lateral side to give a user a certain foot location when standing, and may also include a forward cup holder/storage pocket 32 with receptacle 64 for a drink/keys/sunscreen, etc. The seat portion may also be latched (at handle 80) and hinged (forwardly or rearwardly) to lift upwardly and reveal an inner void 100 comprising a water proof and/or insulated compartment. The seat portion may also simply lift off the base 40. Handles 80 may be strategically located along side portions of the saddle 30 for lifting and carrying the saddle alone or helping to lift and move the related saddle 30 and board assembly 10. The handles 80 are also useful by a user to haul themselves onto the board when alighting from the water. This embodiment is also shown with a speaker (waterproof, battery activated, with Bluetooth, for example) 62 and a USB connector 82 for a music player or phone, etc.
(30) The saddle 30 may be made of an inflatable material with gussets and seams to maintain shape, as shown in FIGS. 15-28, like an inflatable life jacket or air mattress, or can be made of buoyant foam, like a watercraft seat. The respective seat and base portion are made from complementary shapes which nest and fit together and are retained in that position in use. The straps 50 are made of a woven non-stretching product or, alternatively, a relatively resilient bungy style cord, that can be equipped with hook and loop or buckle type or bayonet clip fasteners to relate one end to the other or wrap around the board and attach to an opposing side of the saddle, and firmly locate the saddle 30 atop the aquatic board 10 located beneath. Edgewise clamps 90 (FIG. 9) may also be used to attach the saddle 30 the board 10. The edgewise clamps can be slide related elements designed to clamp at a given length and be tightened using a threaded retainer, i.e., bolt and wingnut, or can be, themselves, resilient cord elements with edge hooks to clamp over and retain the board 10 edge. Hook and loop patch fasteners can also be used in lieu of or in addition to straps, to retain the saddle in place atop the board 10. (See FIG. 9).
(31) The forward cup holder 32 can likewise be made from an inflatable shaped form or from a solid buoyant foam. The covering materials should be UV and water resistant to enhance longevity in the water and outdoor environment of intended use. The overall length can be in the range or 18 to 30 inches and the height can be selected according to the user, but in the range of 10-18 inches with a slope from back to front, and the width, ideally with a taper increasing front to back and being 6-8 inches wide.
(32) The embodiment of the saddle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is associated with a paddle board. This embodiment is also shown with a speaker (waterproof, battery activated, with Bluetooth, for example) 62 and cup holder 32 with receptacle 64. In use, the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is adapted for a kneeling posture when seated. This is shown in side view in FIG. 6 with a user manipulating a paddle 11 to create propulsion. When standing, in FIG. 7, a user places their feet alongside the saddle 30 and squeezes the seat/saddle with their feet and ankles and lower leg to retain balance.
(33) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows a single strap 50 version of the saddle wherein the user sits on the device 30 seat portion, their knees rest directly on the upper surface of the board 10. The device 30 can also be solid foam or inflatable and is shown with a single strap 50 attaching the device 30 to the board 10. This version of the device is also suitable for smaller aquatic boards, like boogie boards, knee boards, and wake boards, and can be used as a ride-a-long for windsurfers who desire company when they surf. The single strap 50 may be augmented, or replaced altogether, via hook and loop patch fasteners 102, 103 on the respective upper surface of the board 10 and bottom surface(s) of the base portion 40 as shown in FIG. 14.
(34) With reference to the drawing FIGS. 15-28: The saddle 330 shown is preferably an inflatable version of the invention, although the same shape could be executed in a durable foam. The inflatable version shown has an upper portion 331 for seating and lower portion 332 for attachment to board surrounding strap(s) 350, via attachment loops 351. Straps 350 wrap around a paddle board 10 located beneath the saddle. The saddle 330 has a forward end 333, equipped with saddle straps 334, and rearward end 343 also equipped with saddle straps 334, and air valve 130 cover flap 110. The saddle straps 334 each include cinch straps 161 on ends thereof. The saddle straps loop through and tightly engage loops 351 (affixed to board enveloping straps 350) when the saddle is in position on the board. The ends of cinch straps 161, when looped for fastening to loops 351, are held against the mid-portion of strap 161 via, for example, hoop and loop fasteners 317.
(35) The saddle 330 is made of an inflatable lined resilient non-stretching material with gussets and seams to maintain shape when inflated, like an inflatable life jacket or air mattress. The straps 350 are made of a woven non-stretching product equipped with hook and loop or buckle type or bayonet clip fasteners to relate one end to the other and wrap around the board and attach to an opposing sides of the saddle at the edges of lower portion 332, and firmly locate the saddle 330 atop the aquatic board 10 located beneath.
(36) The covering materials of the saddle 330 should preferably be UV and water resistant to enhance longevity in the water and outdoor environment of intended use. The overall saddle 330 length can be in the range or 18 to 30 inches and the height can be selected according to the user, but in the range of 10-24 inches with a slope from back to front, and the width, ideally with a taper increasing front to back and being between 6-14 inches wide.
(37) FIGS. 18-25 specifically show the sequence of inflating and attaching the saddle 330 to the board 10. The saddle is 330 is laid out so that the air valve 130 can be accessed by lifting Velcro secured cover flap 110. A suitable manual or powered inflator 120 is engaged to the air valve 130. A manual inflator is shown wherein a user 140 powers the pumping action of the inflator 120. Board straps 350 are laid out to wrap beneath a board 10 so that the parallel longitudinal sections of the wrap straps 160 lay beneath the board 10, and the joining harness portion strap 150 is oriented to wrap to a position on top of the board. The straps 350 are wrapped as shown by arrows 170 in FIG. 20 with the harness aligned as indicated by arrow 180 along the center top of the board. The respective opposed ends of the straps 350 are coupled and cinched tight as shown by pulling the engaged ends as indicated by arrows 111 and 104 in FIG. 21. The alignment of the straps should be configured as shown in FIG. 22 with the board enveloping straps crossing the board in a perpendicular manner whilst the center of the harness aligns with the board 10 centerline. Saddle affixing loops 351, firmly attached to straps 350, are placed into a raised orientation vis--vis the board 10 upper surface as shown in FIG. 23. As shown in FIG. 24, the saddle 330 is then placed atop the straps so that the cinch straps 161 align with raised loops 351. The cinch straps 161 are looped through loops 351, and cinched tight as shown by arrows 151 in FIG. 25. The saddle 330 is now in position, as shown in FIG. 16, and is ready for use.
(38) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 26, 27, and 28 show an inflatable paddle board 210. This inflatable board is drop stitch constructed using a center polyethylene belt system to maintain shape and rigidity when inflated to a high pressure, i.e., 50 psi. This board also includes a center fin 213 for better tracking in use, and elastic webbing 214 on the front for carrying extra gear when necessary. This board 210 is equipped with permanently mounted anchor loops 212 in the top surface of the board. When the saddle 330 is used with this board 210, the board straps 350 can be set aside, and the cinch straps 161 attach directly to anchors 212 in the same manner they would otherwise attach to loops 351. FIG. 27 shows the saddle 330 ready to mount to board 210, and FIG. 28 the saddle 330 in position and cinched to the upper surface of board 210.
