SURFBOARD WITH SPLIT TAIL FLEX TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Systems and methods for implementing a device for surfing, such as in water sports in which a user is on a top side of the device, are described herein. One aspect of the subject matter described in the disclosure is a surfboard. The surfboard nay include a top side, a bottom side, a tail section, and a front section. The tail section may be divided into three sections by transverse cuts with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard. The tail section may include two outer sections, and a middle-inner section. The middle-inner section may include a greater flexibility relative to the two outer sections.

Claims

1. A surfboard, comprising: a top side, a bottom side, a tail section, and a front section, wherein the tail section is divided into three sections by transverse cuts with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard, wherein the tail section comprises: two outer sections, and a middle-inner section, wherein the middle-inner section comprises a greater flexibility relative to the two outer sections.

2. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the middle-inner section comprises a rubberized traction pad.

3. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the middle-inner section is constructed to move relative to the two outer sections.

4. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the middle-inner section is configured to return to an original position after relative displacement is applied.

5. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the middle-inner section comprises a greater width relative to the two outer sections.

6. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the transverse cuts do not cut completely through the surfboard.

7. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the transverse cuts are reinforced against a tear of the transverse cuts.

8. The surfboard of claim 7, wherein surfaces forming an opening of the transverse cuts are overlaid by an epoxy.

9. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein fins are attached to the bottom side at different locations along the surfboard.

10. The surfboard of claim 9, wherein the fins comprise two side fins and one middle fin.

11. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein a traction pad is disposed along the top side opposite the bottom side along which fins are disposed.

12. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein surfboard comprises a material configured to float along a water's surface.

13. A method, comprising: flexing downward a middle-inner section of a tail section of a surfboard, wherein the tail section is divided into three sections by transverse cuts with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard, and wherein the tail section comprise two outer sections that are less flexible than the inner-middle section; and flexing upward the middle-inner section of the tail section of the surfboard, wherein the surfboard is floating on a water's surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the flexing downward is produced by applying a downward force to the middle-inner section.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the flexing upward is produced by releasing the middle-inner section from a downward force.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the middle-inner section is configured to oscillate between the flexing downward and the flexing upward.

17. A method, comprising: creating a first transverse cut through a surfboard; and creating a second transverse cut through the surfboard, wherein the first and second transverse cuts define a tail section of the surfboard with two outer sections that are less flexible than an inner-middle section, wherein the length of the first transverse cut and the second transverse cut is smaller than the length of the surfboard.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first transverse cut defines a clearance between surfaces of about 0.1 millimeters to about 5 millimeters.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first transverse cut extends from a point of origin to a point of exit at around of a length of the surfboard.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the point of exit is around 1/14.sup.th of the length of the surfboard from the very end of the surfboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a surfboard with the transverse cuts without the traction pad, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates the surfboard with transverse cuts and a traction pad, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates the tail section of the surfboard without the traction pad, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 4A illustrates the tail section of the surfboard with the traction pad on the top side, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 4B is a photographic representation of the tail section of the surfboard with the traction pad on the top side, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 5A illustrates the bottom side of the tail section of the surfboard with fins attached to the bottom side, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 5B is a photographic representation of an embodiment of the bottom side of the tail section of the surfboard with fins attached to the bottom side, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates the tail section of the surfboard with a human foot resting in the middle-inner section and on the traction pad, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates the tail section of the surfboard with a human foot pressing the traction pad in the middle-inner section, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and does not limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the invention. As used here, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Thus, any embodiment described here as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description.

[0018] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but it is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0019] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which embodiments may be practiced. The term exemplary used throughout this description means serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a surfboard 101, in accordance with various embodiments. As described in more detail below, the surfboard 101 has a tail section 102, which may also be referred to as a tail flex spring back section 102. The tail flex spring back section 102 may include a middle-inner section 103 that is flexible. The tail flex spring back section 102 allows a user to harness energy by converting the mechanical movement of pressing and releasing the middle-inner section 103 into kinetic energy used to increase the speed of the surfboard 101. A user pressing and releasing at the tail flex spring back section 102 may bias the middle-inner section 103, causing the middle-inner section 103 to move in a back and forth motion relative to outer sections 112 and 113 so that the surfboard 101 may generate speed by producing thrust and lift via the back and forth motion of the middle-inner section 103. Additionally, such movement can also be used for power launching maneuvers that involve accelerating the surfboard 101 at a faster rate compared to other surfboards that do not possess the tail flex spring back section 102. In certain embodiments, the surfboard includes a material that is lighter than water, thus configuring the surfboard to float along a water's surface.

[0021] The tail section is divided into three sections by transverse cuts 114 and 115 with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard 101. Each cut has a point of origin 105 and 106 which cuts all the way out of the tail flex spring back section 102 to a respective point of exit 117 and 118. In certain embodiments, the transverse cuts are reinforced against a tear of the transverse cuts. For example, the point of origin 105 or other surface at the t a e cuts may be encased in an poxy to protect the point of origin 105, 106 from a tear starting at the point of origin 105, 106. The length and width of the cuts 114 and 115 may depend on the size and material of the surfboard. The size of the transverse cuts 114 and 115 may also depend on the rigidity and flexibility desired. In various embodiments, the transverse cuts 114 and 115 may define a clearance between surfaces of about 0.1 millimeters (mm) to about 5 mm when not biased.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the respective point of exit 117, 118, may be at around 1114th of distance 120 away from the very end 121 of the surfboard 101. This 1/14 of distance 120 may be between the very end 121 of the surfboard 101 and the very front 122 of the surfboard 101. Also, the length of the respective cuts 114, 115 may be around of distance 123 of the surfboard 101 between the very end 121 of the surfboard 101 and the very front 122 of the surfboard 101. In various embodiments, the respective cuts 114, 115 may be parallel to an axis 123 that runs through and between the very end 121 of the surfboard 101 and the very front 122 of the surfboard 101. However, in other embodiments, the respective cuts 114, 115 may be from about 0.1 degrees to about 15 degrees offset from the axis 123 that runs through and between the very end 121 of the surfboard 101 and the very front 122 of the surfboard 101.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a traction pad 104 on the top side of the surfboard 101, in accordance with various embodiments. This traction pad 104 is configured to increase friction between the user's foot and the board to avoid slippage of the user's foot. In certain embodiments, the traction pad 104 may include rubber, or be a rubberized traction pad 104. The traction pad on the surfboard 101 may also be utilized to achieve greater control over the tail flex spring back section 102 than without the traction pad. In other embodiments, the traction pad 104 can be removed or reduced in size to target a particular area of the tail flex spring back section 102. In particular embodiments, the respective points of origin 105, 106 may begin within a footprint area of the traction pad 104. Stated another way, the respective points of origin 105, 106 may be laterally surrounded by the traction pad 104.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates the tail flex spring back section 102 in more detail without the traction pad 104, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, the tail section 102 is divided into three sections by transverse cuts 114 and 115 with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard 101. These three sections may include the middle-inner section 103, a left section 130 and a right section 131. Each cut has a point of origin 105 and 106 which cuts all the way out of the tail flex spring back section 102. The length and width of the cuts 114 and 115 may depend on the size and material of the surfboard. The size of the transverse cuts 114 and 115 may also depend on the rigidity and flexibility desired.

[0025] FIG. 4A illustrates the tail flex spring back section 102 in more detail with the traction pad 104, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 4B illustrates a photographic representation of an embodiment of the tail section of the surfboard with the traction pad on the top side, in accordance with various embodiments. In particular embodiments, the respective points of origin 105, 106 may begin within a footprint area of the traction pad 104.

[0026] FIG. 5A illustrates the bottom side 107 of the tail spring back section 102, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, the bottom side has fins 108, 109, and 110 attached at different locations in the surfboard 101 to achieve distinctive goals, such as for different degrees of stability and control. The fins 108, 109, and 110 can be removed or attached at different locations. In certain embodiments, the two side fins 108, 109 may define a lateral line 123 between respective most forward points of interface 135, 136 with the rest of the bottom side 107. In certain embodiments, the respective points of origin 105, 106 of the trans verse t. 114 and 115 may be along the lateral line 123 between the respective most forward points of interface 135, 136 with the rest of the bottom side 107. In other embodiments, the respective points of origin 105, 106 of the transverse cuts 114 and 115 may be on a side of the lateral line 123 that includes the very end 121 of the surfboard.

[0027] FIG. 5B illustrates a photographic representation of an embodiment of the bottom side of the tail section of the surfboard with fins attached to the bottom side. As illustrated, the bottom side has fins 108, 109, and 110 attached at different locations in the surfboard 101 to achieve distinctive goals, such as for different degrees of stability and control. The fins 108, 109, and 110 can be removed or attached at different locations. In certain embodiments, the respective points of origin 105, 106 may be set behind the most forward points of interface 135, 136 of the two side fins 108, 109, thus being closer to the very end 121 of the surfboard than the most forward points of interface 135, 136 of the two side fins 108, 109.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a human foot 111 resting (e.g., not applying a downward force) on the middle-inner section 103 of the tail spring back section 102. FIG. 7 illustrates a foot 111 pressing (e.g., applying a downward force) on the middle-inner section 103 of the tail spring back section 102. As illustrated, when the human foot 111 presses on the middle-inner section 103, the middle-inner section 103 flexes relative to the outer sections 112 and 113. The middle-inner section comprises elastic deformation properties allowing the middle-inner section 103 to return to an original position after relative displacement is applied. This movement creates a thrust that may help the surfboard maneuver and gain speed.

[0029] As illustrated between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the flexing of the middle-inner section 103 causes the middle-inner section 103 to move up and down in a vertical direction along a vertical axis 140. In various embodiments, the middle-inner section 103 may include an upward protrusion 150 to facilitate increased biasing by the foot 111 so that the extreme part of the middle-inner section 103 may be biased by pushing down near or at the apex of the upward protrusion 150 to bias the middle-inner section 103 downwards. Also, in response to the downward force exerted by pushing the middle-inner section 103 downwards, an equal and opposite upward rebound force may be exerted by the middle-inner section 103 such that the middle-inner section 103 may rebound upwards when the downward force (e.g., via the foot) is released. The process of exerting and releasing the downward force on the middle-inner section 103 may cause the middle-inner section 103 to move (e.g., oscillate) in a back and forth motion so that the surfboard 101 may generate speed by producing thrust and lift via the back and forth motion of the middle-inner section 103.

[0030] One of the preferred uses of the surfboard 101 is in water sports. In the water sport of surfing, for example, a user may surf over water or waves and/or perform a variety of tricks using the surfboard 101.

[0031] A method of flexing of the middle-inner section to cause the middle-inner section to move up and down in a vertical direction is illustrated in FIG. 8 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Although the method in FIG. 8 is illustrated in a particular order, in certain embodiments the blocks herein may be performed in a different order or omitted, and additional blocks can be added. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process of the illustrated embodiment may be implemented with any surfboard that includes an middle-inner section relative to a left section and a right section.

[0032] At block 202, the middle-inner section of a surfboard may be flexed downward. In certain embodiments, a foot may apply a downward force to the middle-inner section of the surfboard to case the middle-inner section to flex downward.

[0033] At block 204, the middle-inner section of the surfboard may stop being flexed downward. In certain embodiments, the foot may stop applying downward force to the middle-inner section of the surfboard.

[0034] At block 206, the middle-inner section of the surfboard may be flexed upward. In certain embodiments, the elastic properties of the surfboard, and the middle-inner section in particular, may elastically rebound after a cessation of downward force. This elastic rebound may cause the middle-inner section of the surfboard to be flexed upward.

[0035] At block 208, the middle-inner section of the surfboard may continue oscillating between flexing downward and upwards. This oscillation may be between the flexing downward and upward of the middle-inner section due to the elastic properties of the surfboard, and the middle-inner section in particular.

[0036] A method of creating the middle-inner section illustrated in FIG. 9 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Although the method in FIG. 9 is illustrated in a particular order, in certain embodiments the blocks herein may be performed in a different order or omitted, and additional blocks can be added. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process of the illustrated embodiment may be implemented with any surfboard from which an middle-inner section relative to a left section and a right section can be created.

[0037] At block 302, a first transverse cut may be made through a surfboard. At block 304, a second transverse cut may be made through the surfboard. As noted above, the tail section of a surfboard may be divided into three sections by transverse cuts and with a length that is smaller than the length of the surfboard. Each cut has a point of origin and which cuts all the way out of the tail flex spring back section to a respective point of exit. The length and width of the cuts and may depend on the size and material of the surfboard. The size of the transverse cuts and may also depend on the rigidity and flexibility desired. In various embodiments, the transverse cuts and may define a clearance between surfaces of about 0.1 millimeters (mm) to about 5 mm when not biased.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the respective point of exit may be at around 1/14th of distance away from the very end of the surfboard. This 1/14 of distance may be between the very end of the surfboard and the very front of the surfboard. Also, the length of the respective cuts may be around of distance of the surfboard between the very end of the surfboard and the very front of the surfboard. In various embodiments, the respective cuts may be parallel to an axis that runs through and between the very end of the surfboard and the very front of the surfboard. However, in other embodiments, the respective cuts, may be from about 0.1 degrees to about 15 degrees offset from the axis that runs through and between the very end of the surfboard and the very front of the surfboard.

[0039] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of certain embodiments have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, the embodiments may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0040] Various modifications of the above described embodiments will be readily apparent, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, the present application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0041] The embodiments of the invention described above are exemplary in nature. A wide variety of other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.