US3489408A - Simulated surf and surfboard - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1970 H. E; GOODRICH SIMULATED SURF AND SURFBOARD Filed Sept. 20, 1965 United States Patent 935,66 Int. (:1. A63g 21/00; A63b 23/06 US. Cl. 272-565 2 Claims ABSTRACT 01? THE DISCLOSURE The invention includes an apparatus for simulating waves by causing controlled undulations-in a continuous surface and a controllable board for riding said simulated waves.

This invention relates to an apparatus for simulating the conditions of surfboard riding so that this art may be taught and practised on dry land.

The invention includes an apparatus for simulating surfboard riding and comprises an inclined upwardly moving continuous surface, and a controllable moving board. In another aspect of the invention the upwardly moving continuous surface undulates, said undulations result from the movement of the axis of at least one of two or more rollers about which the continuous surface moves. In another aspect of the invention, the undulations in the continuous moving surface result from the movement of a roller or rollers beneath and in contact with the continuous moving surface. In another aspect of the invention the surface is not revolving but is slack. The roller or rollers beneath the surface cause undulations in the surface and the rider is carried to the top in the nip immediately above the roller. Depending upon the depth of the nip or hollow near the top 'of the inclined surface a deflector may or may not be required to start the board on its downward movement.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes an undulating surface provided by three rollers and a continuous covering over the rollers. Two rollers rotate about fixed axis while the central axis of the third roller moves in an eccentric pattern. When the central axis of the moveable roller moves away from the fixed rollers, the surface of the material running over the rollers becomes more taut and the operative surface approaches the angle determined by the two fixed rollers. When the central axis of the moveable roller moves toward the fixed rollers, the material running over the rollers becomes slack and the angle of incline of the operative surface decreases. One of the rollers serves as the driving roller and moves the endless covering over the rollers.

The surface formed of an endless band of material about the three rollers may be made of material which is strong, durable and not overly bulky. Strength and durability are required in the surface because of the stresses in the surface caused by the continual tightening and loosening resulting from the movement of the axis of one of the rollers away from and towards the other two rollers. The material forming the endless band may be comprised of several types of cloth, some having a much lower coefficient of friction than others thereby adding to the difficulty in riding the wave.

The surfboard is simulated by a board made of wood, plastic or like materials having rollers mounted on the bottom. The rollers may be free rolling or one or more sets of rollers may have braking mechanisms actuated by the foot of the rider or actuated by the weight distribution of the rider on the top surface of the board. One simple type of braking mechanism would consist of a brake actuator extending through the board which could be operated by the riders foot. When the rollers are braked the "Ice board will progress up to the apex of the wave simulator and then by shifting his weight off the brake, the rider and surfboard will proceed down the simulated wave surface. The rider may further control lateral movement of the simulated surfboard by transferring his weight to one side or other of the board. By arrangement of the angle of incline and selection of a board and material for the surface which respectively have low coefiicients of friction a board may be used which does not have rollers. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed specification.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, 1

FIGURE 1 is a view of the simulated wave maker.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the simulated surfboard.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the simulated wave maker with an irregularly shaped fixed roller.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the simulated wave maker is comprised of three rollers. A fixed roller 1 is shown at the forward lower position of the simulated wave maker. A driving roller 2 is at the apex of the wave simulator. The driving roller is fixed but provides the power to move the continuous band of material 3 about therollers. A moving roller 4 moves in relation to the fixed roller 1 and driving roller 2, both of which rollers rotate about fixed axes.

The simulated surfboard 5 as shown in FIGURE 2 is mounted on rollers 6 and 7. By means of brake arrangement either or both of rollers 6 or 7 may be prevented from revolving when the rider presses on the brake.

As shown in FIGURE 3 the simulated wave maker may consist of only two rollers, a driving roller 2 and a fixed roller 1. Furthermore, the fixed or driving rollers may be irregularly shaped to give further variations to the simulated Wave surface.

In operation the rider will place the simulated surfboard 5 on the surface 3 near fixed roller 1, the rider will then step on the simulated surfboard 5 so that the rollers 6, 7 or either one of 6 or 7 are braked, the board will then proceed up the undulating surface 3 until the rider nears the driving roller 2, the rider will then shift his weight off the brake and the simulated board will proceed down the undulating surface. By transferring his weight to one or other side of the board, the rider will also be able to achieve lateral movement on the moving surface. Another variation of providing an undulating surface and means to carry the rider to the top of the surface would be the provision of a rather slack surface. Under the surface would be a roller or series of rollers which would move upwardly causing a series of undulations in the surface. The rider would stand on the board and be carried upwardly in the nip immediately above the roller. A deflector would if necessary be placed near the top to start the board on its downward movement. The height of the undulations near the top of the surface could be arranged to be low, whereas the height of the undulations at the bottom would'be greater, facilitating carrying the rider upwards as well as facilitating downward movement of the board from the top of the surface.

While the above specification describes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention includes variations on this embodiment.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for simulating surfboard riding comprising at .least two rollers, a continuous belt arranged to run over the rollers, at least one of the rollers being moveable relative to the at least other roller, said belt defining an operative contoured surface between two of the rollers, the contour of the operative surface being controlled to simulate a wave by the movement of the rollers in relation to each other, and a controllable board for riding on the contour of the operative surface, with 3 means for driving and moving at least one ofthe rollers for translating the'belt and variably'contouring the'operative surface.

2.. An apparatus for simulating surfboard riding comprising at least tWo rollers, a continuous belt arranged to run over the rollers, at least one of the rollers being moveable relative to the at least other roller, said belt defining an operative contoured surface between two the rollers, the contour of the operative surface being controlled to simulate a wave by the movement of the rollers in relation to each other, and a controllable board having moving parts and brakes on its undersurface for riding on the contour of the operative surface, with means for driving and moving at least one of the rollers for translating the belt and variably contouring the operative surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1887 rM aye etala. W 1

5/1909 Volk 272-69 3/1917 Maynes 2721 8/1941 Ermel 27256.5 10/1944 Niblack 27257 X 7/1962 Hall 27256.5

12/1964 Brass et al.

1/1965 Hall 27256.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 8/1954 France. v

6/ 1926 Switzerland.

6/1952 Germany ANTON OECHSLE, Primary Examiner ARNOLD W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl; X.R.

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