Abstract:
A flotation system for a recreational board such as a stand up paddleboard includes an elongated substrate that is sized and shaped to releaseably wrap around the perimeter of a recreational board. The elongated substrate is constructed of a buoyant material such as foam, and defines a plurality of apertures that can be used to store items such as beverages and personal belongings. The elongated substrate is releaseably attached to the board by a variety of fastening means, and serves to increase stability and buoyancy of the board, and to protect the board.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/666,800, filed Jun. 30, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to enhancement systems for floating recreational boards such as paddleboards and surfboards. More specifically, the invention relates to a device which attaches to a recreational board and improves flotation, can be used to hold beverages and other items, and protects the edges of a recreational board. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Stand-up paddleboards (“SUPs”) are gaining in popularity for a variety of reasons including recreation, exercise, ease in learning, and short-distance transportation. However, traditional SUPs have certain limitations. For one, not everyone is coordinated enough to maintain their balance on a SUP, especially where the water is turbulent from waves, water movement, wakes, and so forth. As a result, a paddler may fall off their board. Another limitation is that a conventional SUP doesn&#39;t provide a compartment or other place to secure personal belongings such as keys, wallets, and beverage containers. As a result, the paddler must keep these items on their person, which can be uncomfortable. If the paddler falls off the board, which can happen frequently, items will be submerged in water, and possibly lost. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a device that increased the overall stability of a SUP, and provided storage. 
     While SUPs have conventionally been used for actual stand up paddleboarding, some use SUP&#39;s as a congregation point for people enjoying aquatic activities, for example a floating bar of sorts. In this manner one or more people drape their arms over the top surface of the SUP to provide flotation. However, the buoyancy of the SUP is decreased as people weigh down the SUP. In addition, just as people paddleboarding lack a compartment where they can store their belongings, people congregating around a SUP lack a secure place for their belongings. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a device that increased the overall buoyancy of a SUP, and provided storage. 
     SUPs are designed to be strong, yet light. However, as they are intended for use in water, they are prone to dings, abrasions, and other damage. The likelihood of this damage is increased because SUPs are large and somewhat cumbersome. Thus, it would be advantageous to protect the perimeter of the SUP to increase longevity of use. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a flotation device that increases the overall stability and buoyancy of a recreational board, while providing storage for beverages and other personal items. It is also desirable that a flotation device would afford protection to the recreational board. Further, it is also desirable for the flotation device to be lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. It is also desirable that the flotation device can be easily attached and removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A flotation system includes an elongated substrate that is sized and shaped to releaseably wrap around the perimeter of a recreational board. The elongated substrate is constructed of a buoyant material such as foam, and defines a plurality of apertures that can be used to store items such as beverages and personal belongings. The elongated substrate is releaseably attached to the board by a variety of fastening means including a sheath having webbing and buckles, or ropes or elastomeric ropes that essentially tie the substrate to the board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a bottom view of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side perspective view of an elongated substrate of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an elongated substrate; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an elongated substrate; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 9  taken along  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 12  depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 10  taken along  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The following numbers apply to structures among the various FIGS:
           10 —Flotation system;     11 —Elongated substrate;     12 —Top portion;     13 —Cup holder;     14 —Longitudinal channel;     15 —Side portion;     16 —Bottom portion;     17 —Cupholder insert;     18 —Slot;     20 —Recreational board;     22 —Planar top     23 —Planar bottom     24 —Perimeter     30 —Fastening member;     31 —Sheath;     32 —Channel;     33 —Channel sleeve;     34 —Belts; and     35 —Buckles.       

     Referring to  FIG. 1 , flotation system  10  includes conventional recreational board  20  outfitted with elongated substrates  11  along perimeter  24  of board  20 , and fastening member  30  holding elongated substrates in position. As used herein, “recreational board” can refer to a variety of floating vessels including SUPs, surfboards, and the like, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited in any way to SUPs. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fastening member  30  includes sheath  31 , which is preferably constructed of a resilient textile, with belts  34  and buckles  35  that connect on planar bottom  23  of board. While webbing belts and snap together buckles are preferred, other fastening means are also within the scope of this invention. In this manner elongated substrates  11  are held taut to the perimeter of recreational board  20 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective side view of preferred elongated substrate  11 . It generally includes top portion  12 , side portion  15 , and bottom portion  16 , with those three sides defining longitudinal channel  14 . Longitudinal channel  14  releaseably receives perimeter  24  of recreational board  20 . The width of the top portion W T , is preferably greater than the width of the bottom portion W B . Top portion  12  preferably defines a plurality of cup holder apertures  13 , and optionally includes a plurality of removable cup holder inserts  17 . While the embodiment of  FIG. 3  depicts a shape having angular vertices and substantially planar sides, it should be understood that a variety of sizes and shapes could be employed, so long as they releaseably engaged with the board&#39;s perimeter.  FIGS. 9 and 10  set forth examples of alternative shapes for elongated substrate  11 . 
     It is preferred that top portion  12  has a thickness of 5 cm to 7 cm, side portion  15  has a thickness of 4 cm to 5 cm, and bottom portion  16  has a thickness of 4 cm to 6 cm. It is preferred that top portion  12  has a width of 17.5 cm to 19 cm, side portion  15  has a width of 10 cm to 15 cm, and bottom portion  16  has a width of 15 cm to 18 cm. 
     Elongated substrate  11  can be connected to recreational board  20  in a variety of ways. By way of example,  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict embodiments whereby fastening member  30  is a tying or cinching means, such as rope or elastomeric rope. As shown in  FIG. 6 , fastening member may be in crisscross orientation on underside of board  20 , with channels  32  defined by elongated substrate  11  slideably receiving fastening member  30 . Alternatively, as suggested in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , fastening member  30  may run longitudinally along length of elongated substrate  11 , and be tied off on planar top  22  of the board ( FIG. 7 ) and planar bottom  23  of the board ( FIG. 8 ). In this embodiment it is preferred that channels  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , run longitudinally along the length of the substrate. Although not shown in the figures, channel sleeve  33 , such as an elongated tube, may line channels  32  so as to provide additional strength. 
     It is desirable that elongated substrate  11  covers at least 50% of the perimeter of the board, with coverage preferably being a mirror image relative to the longitudinal midline of the board so as to enhance stability. It is preferred that the elongated substrate is engaged with between 80% and 100% of the perimeter. It is also desirable that the elongated substrate floats in water, having an approximate density between 0.0114 gm/cm 3  and 0.032 gm/cm 3 . One example of a suitable material is closed cell foam “Polyplank” manufactured by Pregis Corp. of Deerfield, Ill. 
     Cup holders  13  preferably extend through the entire height of top portion  12 , and are preferably each a cylindrical aperture defined by elongated substrate  11 , and having a diameter between 7.5 cm and 10 cm. Cup holder inserts  17  are preferably constructed of plastic, such as the rigid members used in some drink coozies. 
     In use, one would enhance a recreational board by positioning an elongated substrate around at least 50% of a recreational board, and securing the elongated substrate to the board with a fastening member. The fastening member may be a tying means such as a rope threaded through channels of the elongated substrate. Alternatively, the fastening member may be a sleeve that substantially covers the top and perimeter of the board, and has a fastening means such as buckles and straps for securing on the underside of the recreational board. The enhanced recreational board is then ready for use in the normal manner, except it floats better, is more stable, and securely holds beverages and other items. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. By way of example, it is possible to use the device with a variety of recreational boards, including lumber such as sheets of plywood and board planks, in order to create a floating bar. It should also be understood that ranges of values set forth inherently include those values, as well as all increments between.