GB2560976A

GB2560976A - Surfboard with carrying handle

Info

Publication number: GB2560976A
Application number: GB1705182.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Martin Richard
Original assignee: Skunkworks Surf Co Ltd
Current assignee: Skunkworks Surf Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-31
Filing date: 2017-03-31
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-31
Also published as: GB2560976B; GB201705182D0

Abstract

A surfboard comprising a planar body 6 and a handle assembly 10, comprising an elongate handle 15 having a respective retaining loop 16, 18 at each end thereof, a pair spaced first apertures 20, 22, formed in the face of the board into which said retaining loops of said handle are received, a pair of second apertures 24, 26 intersecting with said first apertures with respective retaining members 28, 30 located in said second apertures and engaging with respective retaining loops to secure the handle. The handle may be formed in a recess 12 formed in the deck. Preferably the retaining loops are formed of elastic material. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a surfboard by heat bonding, by taking a polyurethane core 4, and heat-bonding it to a deck 6, rail (8, figure 1) and slick 5, where the slick may be formed of HDPE. Preferably, the second apertures run through the core, and the retaining members are placed in the apertures, before they are covered over by bonding on the rail

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Skunkworks Surf Company Limited 5 Riverdale Road, Coleraine, County L/Derry, BT52 1XA, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B63B 35/79 (2006.01) B63B 35/79 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

DE 008511576 U1 US 5647784 A

US 4929208 A US 20160280353 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B63B

Other: WPI, EPODOC, Patent fulltext (72) Inventor(s):

Richard Edward Martin (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

FRKelly

Mount Charles, BELFAST, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NZ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Surfboard with carrying handle Abstract Title: Surfboard with carrying handle (57) A surfboard comprising a planar body 6 and a handle assembly 10, comprising an elongate handle 15 having a respective retaining loop 16, 18 at each end thereof, a pair spaced first apertures 20, 22, formed in the face of the board into which said retaining loops of said handle are received, a pair of second apertures 24, 26 intersecting with said first apertures with respective retaining members 28, 30 located in said second apertures and engaging with respective retaining loops to secure the handle. The handle may be formed in a recess 12 formed in the deck. Preferably the retaining loops are formed of elastic material. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a surfboard by heat bonding, by taking a polyurethane core 4, and heat-bonding it to a deck 6, rail (8, figure 1) and slick 5, where the slick may be formed of HDPE. Preferably, the second apertures run through the core, and the retaining members are placed in the apertures, before they are covered over by bonding on the rail if

to

Surfboard with carrying handle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a surfboard with a carrying handle. Hereinafter the term surfboard is intended to cover surfboards, body boards and stand up paddle boards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically surfboards are carried underarm. However, this becomes impossible with large boards. One can be injured by overextending one's arm in an attempt to carry an oversized board. The width of the board, in particular in the case of soft beginners boards and stand up paddle boards, may simply be too great to allow a user to reach around the board to grip the lower edge thereof.

It is therefore desirable to provide an easily gripped handle integrally provided on the body of a surfboard. However, such handle must not be able to interfere with the use of the surfboard when surfing, for example by creating drag in the water, creating a trip hazard on the deck of the board and should not compromise the strength or integrity of the board.

Soft surfboards are popular for beginners. Such soft boards are typically formed from an expanded polystyrene core having a foam deck adhesively bonded to an upper face and a smooth HDPE slick adhesively bonded to a lower face, a foam rail being adhesively bonded around a peripheral edge of the core. Such soft boards (often referred to as “foamies”) have several advantages for beginners. For example, the deck of the board does not require any waxing, the boards are cheaper due to their construction and the soft deck and rail of the boards allow for mistakes to be made with reduced risk of injury.

However, carrying of such soft boards remains a problem. Typically known soft boards have a slot or recess in a central region of the deck of the board to allow a user to insert their fingers into the slot to facilitate carrying. However, this places a great deal of stress on the fingers. Additionally, wind can force the board out from a weak grip and can cause damage to the board or injury to the person carrying the board. Furthermore, the creation of what is effectively a hole in the deck of the board exacerbates the problem of delamination of the layers of the board, which is already a significant problem with prior art adhesively bonded soft board constructions.

Another solution is to provide a carrying device that is releasably attachable to the board, for example a handle with an attachment portion that is hooked around a lower edge of the board. However, it is common for the board to slip out of such carrying devices and there is the additional problem of what to do with the carrying device during surfing. Such carrying devices can also damage the soft foam rail of the board.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved surf board, in particular a soft board, incorporating a handle assembly that allows the user to carry the surfboard in a balanced, comfortable manner, to thereby conveniently transport the board to or from the surf, without interfering with the use or integrity of the board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first surfboard comprising a substantially planar body and a handle assembly affixed thereto, said handle assembly comprising an elongate handle having a respective retaining loop at each end thereof, a pair spaced first apertures formed in an upper face of said planar body into which said retaining loops of said handle are received, a pair of second apertures intersecting with said first apertures, respective retaining members being located within said second apertures and engaging with respective retaining loops to secure said handle to said substantially planar body.

The second apertures may be arranged perpendicular to the first apertures.

Preferably at least a portion of said elongate handle is formed from an elastic material to elastically retain the handle against the planar body when not in use.

In one embodiment said retaining loops are formed from an elastic material. Said elongate handle may comprise a length of webbing, said retaining loops being affixed to either end of said length of webbing. The length of the webbing may be substantially equal to the distance between the first apertures, the length of said retaining loops being substantially equal to or less than the depth of said first apertures. A handle grip may be located over said webbing.

In a preferred embodiment said planar body of the surfboard comprises a polymeric foam core, having a foam deck bonded to an upper face thereof and a slick bonded to a lower face of the core, a foam rail being bonded around a peripheral edge of the core, wherein said first apertures are formed in the core of the board to extend inwardly from an upper face of the core, said second apertures extending inwardly from a peripheral side of the core to intersect with said first apertures, said retaining pins being inserted into said second apertures from said peripheral edge of the core. Preferably said second apertures are covered by said rail when affixed to the core of the planar body.

In a preferred embodiment at least one of said deck, slick and rail are heat bonded to the core. The deck, core and rail may be formed from polyethylene foam and the slick may be formed from HDPE. One or more elongate reinforcing stringers may be located within the core. Said one or more elongate stringers comprise metal tubes or metal rods, more preferably aluminium tubes which may be pre-curved.

In a preferred embodiment the handle may be located within a recess formed in the deck of the board when not in use.

The retaining pins may have at least one pointed end to facilitate insertion of the respective pin through the respective retaining loop of the handle. The retaining pins may be provided with a peripheral groove or slot for receiving a respective retaining loop of the handle therein.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a surfboard with a handle comprising the steps of providing a polymeric foam core, heat bonding a deck to an upper face of the core, heat bonding a slick to a lower face of the core and heat bonding a rail to a peripheral edge of the core, further comprising the steps of forming a pair of spaced first apertures are formed n the upper face of the core, forming a pair of spaced second apertures in the peripheral edge of the core to intersect with said first apertures, inserting respective ends of an elongate handle into said first apertures and inserting retaining pins in each of said second apertures to pass through retaining loops formed at each end of said handle to secure said handle to the surfboard.

Preferably said rail is heat bonded to the peripheral edge of the core after said retaining pins have been inserted into said second apertures.

The method may further comprise the step of formed in a recess in the deck extending between said first apertures, whereby said handle is received within said recess when not in use. At least a portion of said handle is preferably formed from an elastic material. In one embodiment said retaining loops of the handle are formed from an elastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A surfboard in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:25 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surfboard in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the surfboard of Figure 1 showing the handle assembly;

Figure 3 is a side view of the portion of the surfboard shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of the portion of the surfboard shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the portion of the surfboard shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a is a detailed perspective view of the portion of the surfboard shown in Figure 2 showing the handle in use; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the portion of the surfboard shown in Figure 2 showing the handle in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A surfboard 2, which may be a surfboard or stand up paddle board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may be of the soft variety, comprising a polymeric foam core 4, having a foam deck 6 bonded to an upper face thereof and a smooth hard wearing slick 5 bonded to a lower face of the core, a foam rail 8 being bonded around a peripheral edge of the core. In a preferred embodiment the core 4, deck 6 and rail 8 may be formed from polyethylene foam while the slick may be formed from high density polyethylene, although it is envisaged that other polymeric materials may be used. The core may be formed from open cell foam while the deck and rail may be formed from closed cell foam.

In a preferred embodiment, the core, deck, slick and rail are bonded to one another by heat bonding without the use of adhesive, preventing delamination of the component parts of the board in use, wherein abutting faces of the core, deck, slick and rail are strongly adhered together by at least partially melting said abutting faces by the application of heat.

Preferably the deck 6 of the board 2 is embossed with a pattern to improve grip. In one embodiment the deck may have a thickness of approximately 6 mm. The slick may have at thickness of approximately 2 mm. The rail may be 20 mm in thickness.

The length and width of the board may be varied to suit its intended use.

One or more substantially rigid elongate stringers may be located within the core to reinforce the board. In a preferred embodiment a pair of preformed stringers (not shown in the drawings) are located within respective apertures extending longitudinally through the length of the core 4 of the board 2. Such stringers may advantageously be formed from metal tubes, such as aluminium tube, for light weight and strength and ease of forming into the desired curvature. Alternatively the stringers may be formed from strips of wood.

As shown in Figure 1, a handle assembly 10 is preferably provided adjacent one side edge of the board.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, the handle assembly 10 comprises a length of 10 webbing 14 having a plastic handle grip 15 mounted thereon, such that the webbing extends through the handle grip 15. A respective loop of elastic material 16,18 is attached to each end of the webbing 14.

A pair of downwardy and outwardly diverging spaced first blind apertures 20,22 are 15 formed in the core 4 of the board 2, extending from each end of a recess 12 formed in the deck 6 dimensioned to receive the handle grip 15 when the handle assembly is not in use. A pair of second blind apertures 24,26 extend inwardly from a peripheral side of the core 4 of the board 2, said second apertures 24,26 intersecting with said first apertures 20,22. Preferably the second apertures 24,26 are arranged perpendicular to the first apertures 20,22.

The elastic loops 16,18 provided at each end of the webbing 14 of the handle assembly 10 are inserted into the first apertures 20,22 and are retained therein by respective retaining pins 28,30 inserted into said second apertures 24,26 to pass through a respective elastic loop 16,18, as best illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, thereby securing the handle assembly 10 to the board 2.

Each retaining pin 28,30 may have at least one pointed end to facilitate insertion of the respective pin 28,30 through the respective elastic loop 16,18 of the handle assembly 10.

Each retaining pin 28,30 may have a reduced diameter peripheral groove or recess (not shown) adapted to receive the respective elastic loop 16,18 when the respective retaining pin 28,30 is fully inserted into the respective second aperture 24,26 in the core 4 of the board 2.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the length of the webbing 14 of the handle assembly 10 is arranged to be substantially equal to the distance between the openings of the first apertures 20,22 in the upper face of the core 4 of the board 2 such that the handle grip 15 sits flush within the receiving recess 12 within the deck 6 of the board 2.

The length of each elastic loop 16,18 of the handle assembly 10 may be substantially equal to or less than the depth of each of the first apertures 20,22 so that the elastic loops 16,18, when engaged by the retaining pins 28,30, retract and retain the handle grip 15 within the receiving recess 12 in the deck 6 of the board 2 to keep the handle grip 15 substantially flush to the upper surface of the deck 6 when the handle assembly 10 is not in use, thus preventing the handle assembly 10 from interfering with the use of the board 2.

When it is desired to use the handle assembly 10 to facilitate carrying of the board 2, the elastic loops 16,18 are able to stretch, permitting the user to pull the handle grip 15 away from the receiving recess 12 in the deck 6, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

The open ends of the second apertures 24,26, with the retaining pins 28,30 located therein, are preferably covered by the rail 8 of the assembled board 2, preventing the ingress of dirt and debris into the second apertures 24,26 and securing the retaining pins therein 28,30. As such, during manufacture of the board 2, the handle assembly 10 will be attached to the board 2 before the rail 8 is bonded to the periphery of the core 4 of the board 2.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, a further layer of PE foam 32 may be located between the core 4 of the board 2 and the handle recess 12 in the deck 6 to protect the core 4 and to provide a more aesthetically pleasing finish beneath the handle grip 15. It is envisaged that such further layer of foam 32 may comprise part of the rail 8.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A surfboard comprising a substantially planar body and a handle assembly affixed thereto, said handle assembly comprising an elongate handle having a

5 respective retaining loop at each end thereof, a pair spaced first apertures formed in an upper face of said planar body into which said retaining loops of said handle are received, a pair of second apertures intersecting with said first apertures, respective retaining members being located within said second apertures and engaging with respective retaining loops to secure said handle to said substantially planar body.

2. A surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second apertures are arranged perpendicular to the first apertures.

3. A surfboard as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said

15 elongate handle is formed from an elastic material to elastically retain the handle against the planar body when not in use.

4. A surfboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said retaining loops are formed from an elastic material.

5. A surfboard as claimed in claim 4, wherein said elongate handle comprises a length of webbing, said retaining loops being affixed to either end of said length of webbing.

25

6. A surfboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein the length of the webbing is substantially equal to the distance between the first apertures, the length of said retaining loops being substantially equal to or less than the depth of said first apertures.

30

7. A surfboard as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein a handle grip is located over said webbing.

8. A surfboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said planar body comprises a polymeric foam core, having a foam deck bonded to an upper face thereof and a slick bonded to a lower face of the core, a foam rail being bonded around a peripheral edge of the core, wherein said first apertures are formed in the core of the board to extend inwardly from an upper face of the core, said second apertures extending inwardly from a peripheral side of the core to intersect with said

5 first apertures, said retaining pins being inserted into said second apertures from said peripheral edge of the core.

9. A surfboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second apertures are covered by said rail when affixed to the core of the planar body.

10. A surfboard as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein at least one of said deck, slick and rail are heat bonded to the core.

11. A surfboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein the deck, core and rail are formed 15 from polyethylene foam.

12. A surfboard as claimed in claim 9, wherein said slick is formed from HDPE.

13. A surfboard as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein one or more elongate 20 reinforcing stringers are located within the core.

14. A surfboard as claimed in claim 13, wherein said one or more elongate stringers comprise metal tubes or metal rods.

25 15. A surfboard as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14, wherein said handle is located within a recess formed in the deck of the board when not in use.

16. A surfboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said retaining pins have at least one pointed end to facilitate insertion of the respective pin through the

30 respective retaining loop of the handle.

17. A surfboard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said retaining pins are provided with a peripheral groove or slot for receiving a respective retaining loop of the handle therein.

18. A method of manufacture of a surfboard with a handle comprising the steps of providing a polymeric foam core, heat bonding a deck to an upper face of the core, heat bonding a slick to a lower face of the core and heat bonding a rail to a

5 peripheral edge of the core, further comprising the steps of forming a pair of spaced first apertures are formed n the upper face of the core, forming a pair of spaced second apertures in the peripheral edge of the core to intersect with said first apertures, inserting respective ends of an elongate handle into said first apertures and inserting retaining pins in each of said second apertures to pass through

10 retaining loops formed at each end of said handle to secure said handle to the surfboard.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rail is heat bonded to the peripheral edge of the core after said retaining pins have been inserted into said

15 second apertures.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising the step of formed in a recess in the deck extending between said first apertures, whereby said handle is received within said recess when not in use.

21. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein at least a portion of said handle is formed from an elastic material.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said retaining loops of the handle are

25 formed from an elastic material.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1705182.2 Examiner: Mr Michael Shaw