Paddle for water sports

Abstract

A paddle for water sports is provided that allows a user to more effectively propel themselves through the water. The paddle comprises a blade, a fastener for fastening the paddle to a user's forearm, a gripping portion mounted to the blade and a connector extending from the fastener to the paddle, wherein the connector is bendable to enable the blade to be moved between an operating position and a stowed position.

Claims

1. A paddle comprising: a blade, wherein the blade is movable between an operating position and a stowed position; an arm strap operable to attach the paddle directly to a user's forearm; a gripping portion mounted to the blade wherein, in use, the user grips the gripping portion to retain the blade in the operating position; a connector extending from the arm strap to the blade, wherein the connector enables the blade to move with respect to the arm strap between an operating position and a stowed position; and a biasing element extending between the arm strap and the blade, wherein the biasing element is operable to bias the blade to the stowed position and wherein the biasing element is operable to move the blade to the stowed position from the operating position upon releasing the gripping portion.

2. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the connector is adapted to cause a lateral movement of the blade.

3. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the connector is located behind the wrist, in use.

4. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the connector is a pivotal connector operable to permit the to pivot between the operating position and the stowed position in a plane parallel to a surface of the blade.

5. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a pin about which the blade is pivotally hinged to allow a lateral movement of the blade relative to the wrist, in use.

6. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the biasing element is a resilient member.

7. A paddle according to claim 1 comprising a first retaining element to temporarily or partially retain or fix the blade in the stowed position.

8. A paddle according to claim 1 comprising a retaining element to temporarily or partially retain or fix the blade in the operating position.

9. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the gripping portion is movable with respect to the blade.

10. A paddle according to claim 9 wherein the gripping portion is movable with respect to the blade by rotation around an axis perpendicular to the blade.

11. A paddle according to claim 9 wherein the gripping portion is adapted to move in a plane parallel to a surface of the blade.

12. A paddle according to claim 1 comprising a bar comprising first and second end portions which extend outwards from the surface of the blade and a connecting portion which extends between the end portions, spaced apart from the surface of the blade, wherein at least part of the connecting portion functions as the gripping portion.

13. A paddle according to claim 1 comprising a bar comprising a single end member which extends outwards from a surface of the blade and a connecting portion which, in use, is connected to the end portion and wherein the connecting portion extends parallel to the surface of the blade towards the user's hand, wherein at least part of the connecting portion functions as the gripping portion.

14. A paddle according to claim 12 wherein the connecting portion is curved or angled.

15. A paddle according to claim 12 wherein the connecting portion defines a recess within which the blade is at least partially received while the blade is in the stowed position.

16. A method of deploying a paddle attached to a user's arm from a stowed position to a deployed position, the paddle comprising a blade and an arm strap, a biasing element extending between the arm strap and the blade, the blade being movable between an operating position and a stowed position, the paddle being attached to the user's arm by the arm strap, and the blade being movable with respect to the arm strap, the method comprising the steps of: directly attaching the paddle to a user's forearm by the arm strap; the user selectively gripping a gripping portion mounted to the blade to retain the blade in the operating position; engaging a portion of a paddle with a surface, and moving the arm to create relative movement between the arm strap and the blade such that the blade moves to the deployed position; selectively biasing the blade to the stowed position with the biasing element; and selectively moving the blade to the stowed position from the operating position, via the biasing element, when the user releases the gripping portion.

17. A paddle according to claim 1 wherein the biasing element extends across the connector.

18. A paddle according to claim 13 wherein the single end member defines a space between the connecting portion and the surface of the blade, wherein the blade is at least partially received in the space when the blade is in the stowed position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board according to one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a board according to one embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of the board of FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a board according to one embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a board according to one embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a board according to one embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a pair of paddles according to one embodiment of the invention fastened to a user;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a paddle according to FIG. 4 fastened to a user;

(10) FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a paddle according to one embodiment of the invention in an operating position (a) and in a stowed position (b);

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a paddle according to one embodiment of the invention in the operating position when gripped by the user (a), in the operating position when released by the user (b) and in the stowed position (c);

(12) FIGS. 11(a) and (b) are top views of a board according to one embodiment of the invention being operated by a user;

(13) FIG. 12 is a top view of a board according to an embodiment of the invention being operated by a user;

(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of a board according to an embodiment of the invention being operated by a user; and

(15) FIG. 14 is a top view of a board according to an embodiment of the invention being operated by a user.

(16) FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in the operating or deployed position.

(17) FIG. 16 is a back perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, in the operating or deployed position.

(18) FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, in a stowed position.

(19) FIG. 18 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 as worn by a user in the operating or deployed position.

(20) FIG. 19 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 as worn by a user in the stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

(21) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a board 1 comprises a first foot rest 2, a second foot rest 4, a first arm support 6 and a second arm support 8. The first and second foot rests are in the rear half of the board.

(22) The first and second arm supports are in the front half of the board. The first arm support and second arm support are curved towards the rear of the board such that a user's inner elbow may rest within the curve of the arm support. The first foot rest and the first arm support are located on the left side of the board (viewed from above the board in normal use, facing forwards), and the second foot rest and the second arm support are located on the right side of the board.

(23) The first foot rest is coupled to the first arm support by a first flexible rod 10 (acting as a coupling member). The first flexible rod is mounted to the board via a tube 12 that allows the rod to move from a first position 14 to a second position 16. The second foot rest is coupled to the second arm support by a second flexible rod 18 (acting as a coupling member). The second flexible rod is mounted to the board via a tube 20 that allows the second flexible rod to move from a first position 22 to a second position 24. The first foot rest is movable along a first path and the second foot rest is movable along a second path.

(24) Accordingly, longitudinal movement 40 of the first foot rest along the first path moves the first flexible rod along the tube, which thereby moves the first shoulder rest, and the movement of the second foot rest along the second path moves the second flexible rod, which thereby moves the second shoulder rest.

(25) The board further comprises a chest support 26 (acting as a brace) mounted between the first and second arm supports. The chest support comprises a wedge-shaped support oriented with the thin end of the wedge 28 towards the rear of the board 30, and the thick end of the wedge 32 towards the front of the board 34. Accordingly the chest support has an upper surface which extends forwardly and upwardly.

(26) The first and second foot rests comprise a foot seat 36 (acting as a first portion against which the user may push to move the first and second foot rests respectively) and a foot retainer 38 (acting as a second portion operable to retain the user's foot against the first portion of the foot rest).

(27) An alternative example of the board is shown in FIG. 4. The first flexible rod 102 coupling the first foot rest 104 to the first arm support 106 and the second flexible rod 108 coupling the second foot rest 110 to the second arm support 112 are embedded within the board 100. The first and second foot rests comprise straps 114, 116 (acting as a second portion operable to retain the user's foot against the first portion of the foot rest) and foot plates 118, 120 (acting as first portions against which the user may push to move the first and second foot rests respectively). The board comprises a shoulder brace 122 (acting as a brace) having a shoulder supports 124 against, and is located between the first and second arm supports.

(28) The top surface of the board comprises an anti-slip surface that provides additional grip to the user. In addition, the board comprises two areas 126, 128 that do not comprise an anti-slip surface. During use, the knees of the user rest on these two areas such that the knees of the user may more freely slide over the surface of the board during a stroke.

(29) A further alternative example of the board is shown in FIG. 5. The board 200 comprises the features of the example shown in FIG. 4, with the addition of a view port 202 through which the user may view beneath the surface of the water. For example, the board may be particularly effective in clear, shallow water to view fish and sea bed.

(30) Another example of the board is shown in FIG. 6. The board 300 is suitable for use by lifeguards in coastal regions, such as beaches, for example. In addition to the features of the board shown in FIG. 4, the board comprises handles 302 arranged around the periphery of the board to allow swimmers to hold on to once they have been rescued by the lifeguard, for example. The board is longer than the boards of FIGS. 4 and 5.

(31) During use, with reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the user lies face down on the board 304, with their feet between the foot seat 306 and foot retainer 308 of the first 310 and second 312 foot rests, their chest against the chest support 314, and the inner elbow of each arm resting against the first 316 and second 318 arm supports (shown in FIG. 11a, for example).

(32) The user may then paddle the board forward using their arms as normal. However, if the user requires a more powerful stroke, the user pushes against the foot rests with their feet. The foot rests then move towards the rear of the board, causing the respective arm supports to move towards the rear of the board via the flexible rods. In this way, the arms of the user are pushed towards the rear of the board by the respective arm supports, providing supplementary power to the user's stroke.

(33) Once the stroke is complete, the user pulls their feet towards the front of the board 320. Each foot pulls against the respective foot retainer to move the foot rest towards the front of the board. The movement of the foot rest moves the attached flexible rod 322 which thereby moves the attached arm support. In this way, the arm supports are returned to their original position, ready to begin the next stroke.

(34) Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the user may move the foot rests 324, 326 asynchronously, such that the movement of the first foot rest 324 is opposed to that of the second foot rest 326. For example, when the first foot rest is moved by the user towards the front of the board 328, the second foot rest is moved by the user towards the rear of the board 330.

(35) With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a paddle 400 suitable for use with the board of FIGS. 1 to 6 comprises a blade 402 and a handle 404. The handle comprises an arm strap 406 (acting as a fastener). The blade comprises a grip 408 (acting as a gripping portion). The arm strap comprises a hook and loop type fastener.

(36) In alternative embodiments, the arm strap comprises a buckle type fastener or a tie.

(37) The paddle is attached to the forearm of a user by orienting the paddle such that the handle of the paddle is along the user's forearm and the blade is adjacent to the hand of the user. The handle is then strapped to the user's forearm and the user may grasp the grip of the blade.

(38) In this way, the user is provided with a paddle to enable them to more effectively propel a board such as a surf board, whilst allowing the user to use their hands when required without having to store the paddle first to free the user's hands.

(39) Most advantageously, a user is provided with two paddles and a paddle attached to each arm to enhance the stroke made by each arm when propelling a board such as a surf board.

(40) Advantageously, the paddles of this embodiment can be used in combination with the board of the first embodiment to allow the user to provide both a convenient way to use a paddle (or two paddles if one is attached to each arm) and to supplement the power of their strokes with the power of their legs.

(41) For example, FIGS. 11a, 11b and 12 show the board of the first embodiment being used in combination with the paddles of this embodiment. In this example, the user is moving both feet and arms synchronously to drive the paddles mounted on the user's left and right arms through the water at the same time. In this way the user's arms move in strokes similar to those used when a user is swimming using the butterfly stroke.

(42) FIGS. 13 and 14 show the board of the first embodiment being used in combination with two paddles of this embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the user moving the left foot and arm forward whilst moving the right foot and arm backward and the paddle attached to the right arm is being driven through the water. FIG. 14 shows the user moving the right foot and right arm forward whilst moving the left foot and arm backward, and the paddle attached to the left arm is being driven through the water. In this way the user's arms move in strokes similar to those used when a user is swimming using the front crawl stroke.

(43) Once the user has reached their destination, the user may stand up on the board and, in embodiments where the board is a surf board, surf back to shore, without having to remove the paddles, or to stow the paddles away, either fixing them to the board or otherwise. In this way, the user may transition from propelling the board to surfing very quickly. In addition, the user does not need to be concerned about whether the paddles have been stowed correctly.

(44) Furthermore, the paddles, or the handles of the paddles, are typically shorter than conventional paddles or rowing oars, as the user's arms function as extensions of the paddle handle.

(45) With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the invention provides a paddle 500 which is especially useful with the board of FIGS. 1 through 6, and which is also useful for other sports in which it is necessary for a person to propel themselves through water, such as snorkelling or scuba diving.

(46) The paddle 500 comprises a blade 502 and a handle 504. The handle is connected through a hinged joint 506 to a stem 509 which is in turn connected to the blade. The handle, stem and hinged joint function as the connector which is bendable. The handle comprises a first fastener 508 and a second fastener 510, the second fastener comprising a support 512. The blade comprises an L-shaped bar 514 having a grip 516 (acting as a gripping portion). The bar 514 has first and second end portions 518, 520 where it extends from the blade and a connecting portion 522 in between. The bar has a bend 526 which is closer to the handle than the straight line between the first and second end portions. The first end portion is further from the handle than the second end portion and the second end portion is on the side of the handle towards which the blade moves from its operating position 528 (FIG. 9a) to a stowed position 530 (FIG. 9b) discussed below. The bar is spaced apart from the paddle due to the end portions extending from the paddle.

(47) The blade is operable to move between an operating position 528 where the blade extends away from the handle, and a stowed position 530 where the blade runs adjacent to the handle, by rotating about the hinged joint. The hinged joint allows movement of the blade in the plane of the blade but does not allow movement perpendicular to that plane such that the blade is locked in that plane. The shaped of the handle means that when a user removes their hand from the grip, the blade can pivot from the operating position to the stowed position. The paddle further comprises an elasticated rope 532 (acting as a biasing element) extending between the handle and the blade across the hinged joint such that the elasticated rope biases the blade towards the stowed position.

(48) During use, the paddle is secured to a forearm of the user using the first fastener and the second fastener, such that first fastener is adjacent the wrist of the user, the second fastener is located on the mid-forearm of the user, and the handle is adjacent to the hand of the user and the user grips the grip of each blade to retain the blade in the operating position. The user may then drive the blades through the water to more effectively propel a board such as a surf board. As the hinged joint is locked in the direction of applied force, the wrists of the user are also locked and therefore the user is able to apply greater leverage to the paddle blade as the blade is driven through the water.

(49) Once the user arrives at their destination, or is ready to move into a standing position to ride a wave, for example, the user releases the grips, thereby allowing the blades to move from the operating position to the stowed position. Accordingly, the user is free to use their hands when standing without risking losing their paddles, or of the blades of the paddles obstructing the hands of the user.

(50) If the user wishes to use the paddles again, the blades may be readily moved by the user from the stowed position back to the operating position and the grips again held by the user.

(51) Referring now to FIG. 15 an alternative embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 represents a paddle 600. The paddle comprises a blade 602, a fastener 604 and a gripping portion 606.

(52) The blade 602 is made of plastic and comprises a curved surface. The gripping portion 604 is integral to the blade 602 and comprises a reinforced section 608. The reinforced section 608 of the gripping portion 604 has a larger cross-sectional area than the rest of the gripping portion 604.

(53) The gripping portion 604 is a bar that comprises an end portion 610 which extends outwards form the surface of the blade 602 and a connecting portion 612 which, in use, extends parallely to the blade towards the user's hand. The end portion 610 of the bar in this embodiment is located nearest to the blade end 614 furthest away from the user's hand so that the blade 602 can be retracted 180 degrees from the operating position into a stowed position, as will be described in due course.

(54) The gripping portion 604 comprises a surface section 616 of elevated friction coefficient to facilitate deployment of the paddle 600 from the stowed position to the operating position, such that the user can lean his arms with the stowed paddles 600 onto a static surface (not shown), making the high friction areas 616 of the bars 604 the contact points between the paddle 600 and the static surface. The user then moves his arms backwards, so that the high friction between the bars and the surface pivots the blades 602 into the operating position. This is especially convenient for a surfer which might which to deploy the paddles 600 by using the surfboard as a surface against which to deploy the blades. The high friction area 616 comprises a rubber surface

(55) The fastener 604 comprises two spaced apart straps 618, 620 which are attached to a metal plate 622. The fastener 604 also comprises a padded element 624 that protects the forearm from the rigid straps 618, 620 and the metal plate 622. The padded element 624 is a water resistant material, such as neoprene.

(56) The paddle 600 also comprises a biasing element 626. The biasing element 626 is an elasticated rope. The biasing element 626 extends from the fastener 604 to the blade 602 and keeps the paddle 600 folded or in a stowed position in the absence of any force being applied to it.

(57) The blade 602 comprises a magnet 628 that helps to immobilise the blade 602 in the stowed position when the paddle 600 is not used for paddling. This is achieved by the force created between the magnet 628 and the metal plate 622 when the paddle 600 is in the stowed position, the force assisting the biasing element 626 in retaining the blade 602 in the stowed position.

(58) In FIG. 16, the back side of the paddle 600 shown in FIG. 15 is depicted. Same numerals are used for the same features. In this view the connector 630 that enables relative movement between the blade 602 and the fastener 604 can be seen. The connector 630 is a pin connector in the form of a metallic bolt and in use, the connector is located behind the user's wrist.

(59) In FIG. 17, the paddle 600 shown in FIG. 15 is depicted in the stowed position. The same numerals are used for same features. In this view, the curvature of the blade 602 can be appreciated as well as the precise orientation and shape of the gripping portion 606.

(60) In FIG. 18 the paddle 600 of FIG. 15 is depicted as worn by a user 632 in an operating position. It can be seen how the user 632 grips the gripping portion 606 by the connecting portion 612. The hand 634, in use, is half way between the prone and the supine position.

(61) FIG. 19 shows the paddle 600 of FIG. 15 as worn by a user 632 in a stowed position. It can be seen how the user's hand 634 remains free for carrying out other activities when there is no need to paddle, such as for suddenly pushing up a user's body to stand on a surfboard. The present invention is especially suitable for this situation, because the transition from the operating position to the stowed position takes place almost instantaneously, as the moment of stop paddling and standing on a surfboard requires.

(62) Further variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. For example, the blade may comprise a flexible portion at an outer edge to act like a flipper. In other embodiments, the blade may be scalloped to give greater purchase to the user as they propel themselves forward through the water.