Abstract:
New configurations of boards and paddles are disclosed that reduce drag and thereby increase the overall speed with which the boards and paddles can navigate through water. Such configurations advantageously reduce the amount of work required to propel the boards and paddles through the water.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 61/542,699 filed on Oct. 3, 2011. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is equipment for water sports including boards and paddles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various configurations of stand up paddle and other boards are known in the art including those described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0240271 to Mann (publ. September 2010), U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0114007 to Flemons, III (publ. May 2011), WIPO Publication No. 2011/100654 to Rott, et al. (publ. August 2011), and French Publication No. 2937894 to Kitchener, et al. (publ. May 2010). However, all of these boards known to Applicant suffer from one or more disadvantages. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is still a need for boards and paddles that are configured to reduce drag and thereby increase the overall speed with which the boards and paddles can navigate through water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods of novel configurations of boards and paddles that reduce drag from that of prior boards, and especially improvements in drag reduction for boards and paddles utilized in conjunction with stand up paddle boarding. 
         [0006]    Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1-4  are top views of various embodiments of stand up paddle boards. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a board. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a bottom right perspective view of the board of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a bottom left perspective view of the board of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the board of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9-10  are schematics of another embodiment of a board. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a schematic of one embodiment of a paddle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the paddle of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is another schematic of the paddle of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
         [0017]    The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods of new configurations of boards and paddles, and especially boards and paddles utilized in conjunction with stand up paddle boarding. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are two examples of boards having a non-slip surface sized and configured to represent a large arrow with three smaller arrows below the larger arrow. The chevrons in the traction pad allow for the board construction materials to be viewed through the pad, while also acting as a brand visual indicator. In addition, the chevrons advantageously allow for a rider to know where his/her foot position is without having to look down. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are top views of two embodiments of a stand up paddle board having a length of approximately 12.5 feet.  FIGS. 5-8  illustrates a side view, bottom views, and a front-end view, respectively, of one embodiment of a stand-up paddle board.  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate plan views of the board shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . The specific dimensions shown in  FIG. 9  are exemplary only, and the actual dimensions will depend upon the specific application for the board. 
         [0020]    The board can advantageously be configured to reduce drag acting upon the board&#39;s hull as the board traverses through water, which thereby increases the speed at which the board can navigate through the water. Such configuration allows the board to not only efficiently cut through water but also release water from about the board as the board navigates through the water, which increases the board&#39;s overall speed. 
         [0021]    The bow of the board advantageously works in concert with the hard edges (chines) along the side of the board which also works in concert with the board&#39;s wide tail shown in  FIG. 6 . The board preferably includes at least three chines. In some contemplated embodiment, the first and third chines can have interior angles of approximately between 100-130 degrees where the surfaces meet to form the chines. It is further contemplated that the second chine can comprise an interior angle of between 100-140 degrees where the surfaces meet and form the second chine. In addition, the board has a generally V-shape on its bottom surface, which preferably is a single continuous, unbroken line from the tip of the nose to the tail. 
         [0022]    In contrast to board configurations of the prior art that have a narrow tail end opposite the nose, the board  100  shown in  FIGS. 5-8  has a nose  104  and a wide tail end  102  which facilitates the board  100  releasing water. In some contemplated embodiments, the board  100  can have a tail end  102  that has an average width of at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of a maximum width of the hull  101 , although tail ends having smaller widths are also contemplated. 
         [0023]    It is contemplated that the board  100  could comprise plastic or other polycarbonates, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other commercially suitable material(s) or combinations thereof. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 11-13  illustrate various views of one embodiment of a paddle  200  having a leaf-shape. It is contemplated that the paddle  200  could comprise plastic or other polycarbonates, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other commercially suitable material(s) or combinations thereof. 
         [0025]    The paddle  200  advantageously can be coupled to a handle at an angle of between 5-20 degrees, and more preferably at an angle of between approximately 10-15 degrees. Although the paddle is preferably configured to have a large blade, the specific configuration of the paddle  200  enables the blade  202  to having the speed and pulling efficiency of smaller blade paddles. This is partially accomplished by configuring the blade  202  to include a pronounced dihedral  204  disposed along a length of the blade  202 , which facilitates dispersing of water from the blade&#39;s surface. 
         [0026]    Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
         [0028]    As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0029]    The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0030]    Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
         [0031]    As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
         [0032]    It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.