To provide a foilboard, in particular an e-foil, which can be ridden by a rider in a seating position and which has a good controllability and is save to use, a foilboard, in particular e-foil, is proposed comprising a board and a hydrofoil, the hydrofoil comprising a mast and at least one wing, wherein the mast is attached to an underside of the board, wherein the foilboard further comprises a seating device for a ride to sit on, wherein the seating device is arranged on a top side (18) of the board, such that the seating device can be rolled at least in a forward direction and in a backward direction by the rider to control and/or steer the foilboard.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foilboard, in particular an efoil, comprising a board and a hydrofoil, the hydrofoil comprising a mast and at least one wing, wherein the mast is attached to an underside of the board, wherein the foilboard further comprises a seating device for a rider to sit on.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a seating arrangement for a foilboard comprising a seating device for a rider to sit on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foilboards, also known as e-foils, hydrofoil boards or foil surfboards, are a type of board used in watersports. A foilboard has a hydrofoil mounted underneath. The hydrofoil extends into the water and the design allows the foilboard, and its rider, to rise above the water surface, allowing for fast speeds and increased maneuverability in a wide range of surf conditions.

With foilboards known in the art, the rider controls the foilboard in a standing position. Thus, when the foilboard rises out of the water the rider is generally located at a height of two meters or more above the water surface. These heights can be intimidating, in particular to novice riders. Furthermore, in case the foilboard tips over a standing rider can fall off the foilboard and come into contact with the hydrofoil and in particular with the motor or propeller of the hydrofoil.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foilboard100, in particular an e-foil10, which can be ridden by a rider17in a seating position, which has good controllability and is safe to use. The present invention being a foilboard100, in particular an e-foil10, comprises a board11and a hydrofoil12. The hydrofoil12further comprises a mast13and at least one wing, wherein the mast13is attached to an underside15of the board11. The foilboard100further comprises a seating device16for a rider17to sit on, wherein the seating device16is arranged on a top side18of the board11, such that the seating device16can be rolled at least in a forward direction and in a backward direction by the rider17to control and/or steer the foilboard100.

The hydrofoil12may furthermore comprise two wings, in particular a front wing and a back wing. When placed in water, the hydrofoil12comprising the mast13and the at least one wing extends into the water and below a water surface24. The forward direction preferably corresponds to the direction of travel of the foilboard100when the foilboard100is in use. The backward direction is then the direction opposite to the forward direction. Similarly, left and right directions or up and down directions are defined with respect to the direction of travel of the foilboard100when in use.

According to the present invention the foilboard100comprises a seating device16for a rider17to sit on so that the rider17can ride the foilboard100in a sitting position. A sitting position has the advantage that the rider17is not so high above the water surface24as compared with a standing position. This increases confidence, in particular for novice rider17, to be able to ride the foilboard100. Furthermore, the risk of injuries due to contact with the motor21and/or propeller22for a rider17is reduced, because the rider17is not as easily separated from the foilboard100when the foilboard100tips over.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the seating device16is positioned on the top side18of the board11such that the seating device16can be rolled at least in a forward direction in a backward direction by the rider17to control and/or steer the foilboard100.

Thus, a rider17sitting on the seating device16can roll the seating device16in a forward direction and in a backward direction by shifting his own weight on the seating device16. As the rider17has more direct contact with the foilboard100when sitting on the seating device, his perception of the movements of the foilboard100caused by rolling the seating device16is improved, further increasing the rider17sconfidence in the foilboard100.

Furthermore, by proving a seating device16which can be rolled in at least a forward direction and in a backward direction a rider17can provide very sensitive control or steering inputs to the foilboard100, improving the controllability and steerability of the foilboard100. Preferably the foilboard100further comprises a motor21, in particular an electric motor21, and propulsion means, preferably a propeller22, an impeller or a water jet, wherein the motor21is configured to drive the propulsion means.

It is furthermore preferred that a rider17can shift a center of gravity of foilboard100and rider17by rolling the seating device16.

The rider17may use his own weight to roll the seating device16in the forward direction and/or in the backward direction. Thus, the relative position of the seating device16and the rider17with respect to the board11of the foilboard100is changed. This change in position results in a shift of the center of gravity of foilboard100and rider17allowing for control inputs to the foilboard100.

For example, when the rider17rolls the seating device16in the forward direction, the center of gravity shifts in the forward direction and the foilboard100declines relative to the water surface24. When the rider17rolls the seating device16in the backward direction the center of gravity is shifted to the rear of the foilboard100and the foilboard100starts to rise above the water surface24.

Advantageously the seating device16may have a, preferably convexly, rounded bottom surface23being in contact with the top side18of the board11, and the seating device16may be rolled \ on the rounded bottom surface23in the forward direction and in the backward direction.

The seating device16generally has a bottom surface23and an upper surface42. The rider17will sit on the upper surface42and the bottom surface23will be in contact with the top side18of the board11of the foilboard100. The bottom surface23is preferably convexly rounded so that the seating device16can at least partially roll on the top side18of the foilboard100.

A convexly rounded bottom surface23provides for a smooth rolling \ movement of the seating device16on the board11and, thus, for sensitive and smooth control inputs to the foilboard100.

It may also be preferred that the seating device16is arranged on the top side18of the board11and configured such that the seating device16can be rolled in a lateral direction, preferably in a right direction and/or in a left direction.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment the rider17may also tilt the seating device16by shifting his weight to the left and to the right allowing for further control options for the foilboard100.

It may also be preferred that the rounded bottom surface23has a front section23a, a middle section23band a rear section23c, wherein a curvature radius of the rounded bottom surface23is different between at least two, preferably between all, of the front section23a, the middle section23band the rear section23c.

The front section23ais the section of the bottom surface23which is closest to a front side of the board11. Correspondingly, the rear section23cis the section of the rounded bottom surface23that is closest to the rear side of the board11. The middle section23bis arranged in between the front section23aand the rear section23c.

By providing a curvature radius for the rounded bottom surface23with is different between at least two, preferably between all, of the front section23a, the middle and the rear section23c, the sensitivity of the foilboard100to the control inputs depending of the amplitude of the roll can be adjusted.

When the contact point of the rounded bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11is in a section having a large curvature radius the foilboard100will react less strongly to a roll of the seating device16as compared to a situation where the contact point of the rounded bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11is in a section having a small curvature radius.

It is furthermore preferred that the curvature radius is configured progressively and/or continuously increasing from the front section23aover the middle section23bto the rear section23c.

Thus, the curvature radius of the front section23aof the rounded bottom surface23is preferably smaller than the curvature radius of the bottom surface23in the middle section23band the curvature radius of the bottom surface in the middle section23bis preferably smaller than the curvature radius of the bottom surface23in the rear section23c.

In this regard, it may be preferred that the curvature radius in at least a section of the front section23ais between 5 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm, furthermore preferably between 15 cm and 20 cm.

The curvature radius in at least a section of the middle section23bmay be between 100 cm and 1.000 cm, preferably between 300 cm and 500 cm, furthermore preferably between 350 cm and 400 cm.

Further preferably the curvature radius in at least a section of the rear section23cmay be at least 1.000 cm, preferably at least 10.000 cm, furthermore preferably essentially infinite.

Thus, when the contact point of the bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11is in the middle section23bof the bottom surface23, the foilboard100will react comparatively gently to a roll of the seating device16. This allows, on the one hand, for the rider17to be able to move naturally without resulting in extreme reactions of the foilboard100. On the other hand, the rider17can steer or control the foilboard100very finely. When the contact point of the bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11is in the front section23aof the bottom surface23a roll of the seating device16will result in a more pronounced reaction of the foilboard100. When the contact point of the rounded bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11is in the rear section23c, the reaction to a roll in the backwards direction is very smooth and very gentle.

In the preferred embodiment an end section of the rear section has a curvature radius of essentially infinite, i.e. the bottom surface23in the end section23dof the rear section23cis essentially flat. The end section23of the rear section23cis the most rearward oriented section of the rear section23c.

The configuration of an essentially flat end section23dof the rear section23cprovides a limit stop for the seating device16and thus limits the amount of roll that the seating device16can be rolled backwards.

Preferably, the seating device16comprises a main body25and a seat body26, the main body25further preferably comprising the rounded bottom surface23, wherein the seat body26is arranged slidably, preferably in the forward direction and the backward direction, at the main body25.

Thus, the seat body26can slide relative to the main body25of the seating device16. Allowing the seat body26to slide relative to the main body25has several advantages.

First, the rider17can arrange the seat body26at a position relative to the main body25that is most comfortable for him to sit on and to control and/or steer the foilboard100. Second, having the seat body26being arranged slidably with respect to the main body25allows the rider17to easily mount the foilboard100. In general, a rider17will mount the foilboard100from the rear, when the foilboard100sits or floats in the water. Since the seat body26of the seating device16is oriented towards to rear of the board11of the foilboard100, the seat body26can present an obstacle for the rider17by blocking him or by reducing the available surface on the top side18in the rear section23cof the board11for the rider17to mount. Thus, before mounting the foilboard100the rider17can slide the seat body in the forward direction. The rider17then has enough space in the rear of the board11to safely mount the board11. While mounting the board11the rider17may start the motor21of the board11and thereby gently increase the speed of the foilboard100. When the rider17is on the top side18of the board11he can slide the seat body26in the backwards direction and then safely sit on the seat body26and use the seating device16to steer and/or control the board11.

Furthermore, the main body25may comprise side elements28and at least one connection element29, wherein the side elements28are arranged at a distance from each other and connected to each other by the at least one connection element29, such that a recess or a free space31is formed between the side elements28and that the seat body26is arranged in the recess or in the free space31.

The side elements28of the main body25are arranged on the left side and on the right side with respect to the forward direction and/or the direction of travel of the foilboard100. The side elements28are connected by the at least one connection element29such that the distance between the side elements28remains fixed. Because of the arrangement of the side elements28at a distance to each other a free space31or a recess is formed between the side elements28. The recess and/or the free space31is preferably configured open to an upper surface42of the main body25. The seat body26is arranged in the free space31or recess and preferably protrudes slightly upwards out of the upper surface42so that a rider17can sit on the seat body26. The seat body26is arranged in the recess or free space31to be slidably in the forward direction and backward direction.

The at least one connection element29may comprise at least one, preferably at least two, struts30extending between the side elements28.

The struts30can be separate components connecting the side elements28or the struts30can be formed out of the material of the side elements28or made integral with the side elements28. The at least on connection element, in particular the struts30, is/are preferably arranged in a lower region of the main body25, i.e. close to the bottom surface23of the main body25, so that the recess or free space31is accessible from the upper surface42of the main body25.

Particularly preferably guiding means33, in particular rails or grooves40, are arranged on the side elements, preferably on inner sides of the side elements, and oriented towards the recess and/or free space31, wherein the guiding means33are further preferably arranged horizontally, and wherein the seat body comprises guide elements35, in particular wheels or protrusions36, interacting with the guiding means33to allow sliding the seat body26, preferably in the forward direction and in the backward direction, in the recess and/or in the free space31.

Thus, by the interaction of the guiding means33and the guide elements35a controlled sliding movement of the seat body26relative to the main body25is provided.

The seating device16may be held on the top side18of the board11purely by friction between the top side18of the board11and the bottom surface23of the seating device16.

However, it may be preferred that the seating device16is, preferably detachably, secured to the board11.

Thus, preferably a base body37is provided, the base body37being arranged on and/or fixed to the board11, in particular to the top side18of the board11, wherein the seating device16, preferably the main body25, is secured to the base body37such that the seating device16can be rolled in the forward direction and in the backward direction.

Thus, the seating device16, in particular the main body25, may be secured to the base body37in such a way that the seating device16is secured to the board11via the base body37so that it does not fall off the board11but is still allowed to be rolled in the forward and in the backward direction.

The base body37may be connected to the top side18of the board11by any suitable means. For example, the base body37may be configured integral with the board11. The base body37can also be adhesively connected to the top side18of the board11.

It is also possible that the base body37is detachably connected to the top side18of the board11. For example, the base body37may be connected to the top side18of the board11using Velcro tape or the base body37may be connected to the top side18of the board11using screws, bolts or the like.

In the latter case, where the base body37is connected to the top side18of the board11using screws or bolts, it may furthermore be preferred that the screws or bolts are screwed into existing screw holes of the board11. In general, a foilboard100has foot straps connected to the top side18of the board11by screws screwed into screw holes or by clip connections or the like. For example, the screw holes can be used to attach or connect or fix the base body37to the board11.

Preferably, the base body37is arranged between the side elements28. Thus, the base body37is preferably arranged in a lower part of the main body25between the side elements28. For this, the bottom surface23of the main body25may comprise an indentation, a recess or a hole or the like in which the base body37is arranged.

When the base body37is arranged in between the side elements28lateral forces acting on the main body25are transferred to the base body37and therefore into the board or the foilboard100.

Furthermore, the base body37may comprise on each lateral side a pin38or bolt, and the seating device16may comprise receptacles39, in particular holes or a grooves40, for the pin38or bolts.

The lateral sides of the base body37are the sides of the base body37facing to the right direction or to the left direction. The pin38or bolts engage with the receptacles39, in particular with the holes or grooves40, thereby securing the seating device16, in particular the main body25of the seating device16, to the base body37. The seating device16can still be rolled relative to the foilboard100and in particular relative to the base body37. The receptacles39for the pin38or bolts may act as bearings, so that the seating device16can rotate about the connection between the pin38or bolts with the receptacles39. When the seating device16is configured for rolling on the top side18of the board, the contact point of the bottom surface23of the seating device16with the top side18of the board moves on the top side18of the board in the forward and backward directions. Thus, it may be particularly preferred that the receptacles39are formed as grooves40, in which the pin38can slide to allow the rolling movement of the seating device16.

Preferably the receptacles39are arranged on the main body25, further preferably on inner sides32of the side elements28.

Furthermore, it may be preferred that the receptacles39are configured as grooves40wherein the grooves40have a rounded shape, preferably a horse-shoe shape or a cycloidal shape.

When the seating device16, in particular the main body25, rolls on the top side18of the board11the contact point of the bottom surface23of the seating device16moves on the top side18of the board11to the forward direction and to the backward direction. Thereby the seating device16is displaced in the front direction and in the backward direction. Simultaneously the receptacle39move relative to the pin38

or bolts of the base body37in a vertical direction. To allow this freedom of movement it is preferred that the grooves40have a rounded shape.

Further preferably the seating device16, preferably the main body25, comprises a passageway41extending from the bottom surface23, preferably from the middle section23bof the bottom surface23, to an upper surface42of the seating device16, preferably the main body25, having a cross section equal to or larger than a cross section of the base body37, such that the base body can be guided from the upper surface through the passageway41to the bottom surface23.

When arranging the seating device16on the board11of the foilboard100, the seating device16, in particular the main body25, is positioned on the top side18of the board11. Then the base body37is guided through the passageway41from the upper surface42through the seating device16to the bottom surface23until the base body37is in contact with the top side18of the board11. Then the base body37may be attached or fixed to the top side18of the board11.

Further preferably, the passageway41extends between the connection element29, in particular between the struts30.

Thus, the opening of the passageway41in the bottom surface23of the seating device16may be defined by the side elements28and the connection element29s, in particular the struts30.

Furthermore preferably, the passageway41comprises base body guiding means for guiding the pin38or bolts of the base body37.

The base body37guiding means33may be configured as, preferably vertically arranged, grooves40, wherein the grooves40are arranged on the inner sides32of the side elements28, and wherein the grooves40extend into the receptacles39.

Thus, when the seating device16, in particular the main body25of the seating device16, is arranged on the top side18of the board11the base body37may be guided through the opening in the upper surface42of the seating device16into the passageway41, thereby inserting the pin38or bolts of the base body37into the vertically arranged grooves40. The base body37is than guided down through the passageway41to the bottom surface23of the seating device while the pin38or bolts simultaneously slide down the vertically arranged grooves40. When the base body37is in contact with the top side18of the board11through the opening of the passageway41in the bottom surface23, the pin38or bolts enter the receptacles39thereby securing the seating device16on the top side18of the board11while still allowing a rolling movement of the seating device16. In this position the base body37may be connected to the top side18of the board11, for example via screws.

In a further preferred embodiment, the seating device16, preferably the main body25, further preferably the side elements28, comprises handle bars45. Thus, when a rider17sits on the seating device16he can hold on to the handle bars45of the seating device16.

It may furthermore be preferred that at least one of the handlebars45comprises control elements for controlling the motor21of the foilboard100and/or that at least one of the handle bars45comprises a controller receptacle39for a hand-held controller for the motor21.

Thus, in the sitting position the rider17may control the motor21of the foilboard100by using the control elements of the handlebars. Alternatively, or additionally the foilboard100may comprise a hand-held controller for the motor21. A hand-held controller is in particular advantageous in the process of the rider17mounting the foilboard100. When the rider17mounts the foilboard100he usually mounts the foilboard100from the rear end. When the rider17is at least partially on the top side18of the board he uses the hand-held controller to increase the speed of the foilboard100until it stabilizes. Then the rider17may climb onto the seating device16and hold on to the handlebars. It is then advantageous that at least one of the handle bars45has a receptacle39for the hand-held controller so that the rider17can hold onto the handle bars45and simultaneously use the hand-held controller and/or the control elements of the handlebars to control the motor21of the foilboard100.

The seating device16, in particular the main body25and/or the seat body26, and/or the base body37may be made from or comprise carbon fiber, fiber plastic, mold injected foam or IPP foam.

The main body25, in particular the side elements28and/or the at least one connection element29may comprise an aluminum skeleton.

A further solution to the object of the present invention is the provision of a seating arrangement200for a foilboard100as described above. The seating arrangement200comprises a seating device16for a rider17to sit on with a, preferably convexly, rounded bottom surface23, wherein the seating device16, when arranged on a top side18of a board11of the foilboard100can be rolled on the rounded bottom surface23in the forward direction and in the backward direction to control and/or steer the foilboard100.

The seating device16of the seating arrangement200may be configured as one of the seating device16described above in connection with the foilboard100.

Preferably, the seating device16comprises a main body25and a seat body26, the main body25comprising the rounded bottom surface23, wherein the seat body26is arranged slidably, preferably in the forward direction and the backward direction, at the main body25.

FIG.1shows a foilboard100in accordance with the present invention. The foilboard100is configured as an e-foil10and comprises a board11and a hydrofoil12. The hydrofoil12in turn comprises a mast13and a wing14. The mast13is attached to an underside15of the board11.

When placed in water, the hydrofoil12comprising the mast13and the wing14extends into the water and below a water surface24. The foilboard100further comprises a seating device16for a rider17to sit on. The seating device16is arranged on a top side18of the board11and can be rolled by the rider17in a forward direction19and in a backward direction20to control and/or steer the foilboard. For propulsion the foilboard100further comprises a motor21and a propeller22.

To roll the seating device16in the forward direction19and in the backward direction20the rider17shifts his weight in the forward direction19and in the backward direction20. By rolling the seating device16the center of gravity of the foilboard100is shifted and the foilboard100can be controlled and/or steered. The seating device16has a convexly rounded bottom surface23in contact with the top side18of the board11. When the rider17rolls the seating device16, the seating device16rolls on the top side18of the board11with its rounded bottom surface23.

InFIG.2rider17has shifted his weight to the forward direction19thereby rolling the seating device16on the rounded bottom surface23on the top side18of board11in the forward direction19. In this position, the foilboard100will angle downward towards the water surface24and start to descent towards the water surface, as shown inFIG.4.

FIG.3shows the rider17having shifted his weight in the backward direction20thereby rolling the seating device16on the rounded bottom surface23on the top side18of board11in the backward direction20. In this position, the e-foilboard100will angle upward away from the water surface24and start to rise above the water surface24, as shown inFIG.5.

InFIG.4the foilboard100is angled downward towards the water surface24. In this position, to stop the descent of the foilboard100towards the water surface24the rider has rolled seating device16into the backward direction20.

InFIG.5the foilboard100is angled upward away from the water surface24. In this position, to stop the rise of the foilboard100away from the water surface24the rider17has rolled the seating device16into the forward direction19. The seating device16is explained in more detail with regard toFIGS.6to10.

FIG.6shows a side view of the seating device16.FIG.7shows a wire drawing of the side view of the seating device.FIG.8show a wire drawing of the seating device16in a perspective view andFIG.9shows a perspective view of the seating device16. The seating device16comprises a main body25and a seat body26. InFIGS.8and9the seat body26is not shown. The seat body26is shown inFIG.10.

As shown inFIG.6, the rounded bottom surface23of the seating device16is arranged on the main body25. The rounded bottom surface23comprises a front section23a, a middle section23band a rear section23c. The curvature radius of the front section23a, the middle section23band the rear section23care different from each other. In the front section23athe curvature radius is comparatively small, for example about 15 cm. In the middle section23bthe curvature radius is between 350 cm and 400 cm and in the rear section23cthe curvature radius is at least 10 m. In the end section23dof the rear section23cthe curvature radius is essentially infinite so that the end section23dof the rear section23cof the bottom surface23is an essentially flat surface27.

The main body25of the seating device16comprises two side elements28, which are arranged at a distance from each other and connected by connection elements29configured as struts30(FIGS.8and9). The connection elements29can be formed integral with the side elements28. Between the side elements28a free space31is formed, in which the seat body26is placed. On the inner sides32of th side elements28guiding means33in form of horizontal grooves34are provided. The seat body26shown inFIG.10comprises corresponding guide elements35in the form of protrusions36which engage with the horizontal grooves34of the side elements28, as shown inFIG.7. The seat body26can be moved in the forward direction19and in the backward direction20by sliding the protrusions36of the seat body16in the horizontal grooves34. As shown inFIG.7, the seat body26is shown with solid lines in a backward position. Furthermore, the seat body26is shown with dashed lines in a forward position.

The seating device16, in particular the main body25, is secured to the top side18of the board11by a base body37. The base body37is fixed to the top side18of the board11(FIGS.1to5). The base body37is arranged between the inner sides32of the side elements28and comprises laterally protruding pins38or bolts. The pins38engage with receptacles39arranged on the inner sides32of the side elements28. The receptacles39are formed as grooves40having a round horse-shoe shape. When the seating device16is rolled in the forward direction19and in the backward direction20the contact point of the bottom surface23with the top side18of the board11also moves in the forward direction19and in the backward direction20. To allow this movement the pins38slide in the receptacles39on the inner sides32of the side elements28. The seating device16and the base body37together form a seating arrangement200.

The main body25further comprises a passageway41extended from the bottom surface23to an upper surface42of the main body25. The passageway is at least partially defined by the side elements28and the connection elements29extending between the side elements28. On the inner sides32of the side elements28base body guiding means43in form of vertical grooves44are provided. For mounting the seating device16on the board11of the foilboard100the main body25is arranged in a first step on the top side18of the board11. The base body37is guided through the passageway41from the upper surface42to the bottom surface23of the main body25, while the pins38of the base body37are inserted into the vertical grooves44and slide down the vertical grooves44. When the base body37is in contact with the top side18of the board11, the pins38enter the receptacles39of the main body25. The base body can then be fixed to the board11using for example screws, thereby securing the main body25to the board11. The main body25may furthermore comprise handle bars45for the rider17to hold on during riding the foilboard (FIGS.1to5and7).

FIG.11shows a side view of a further embodiment of a foilboard100in accordance with the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment ofFIGS.1to10, the seating device16of the foilboard100ofFIG.11is formed as a single element. The seating device16ofFIG.11is held on the top side18of the board11purely by friction between the top side18of the board11and the bottom surface23of the seating device1.

Furthermore preferably the seating arrangement200further comprises a base body37that can be arranged on and/or fixed to the board11, and the seating device16, preferably the main body25, can be secured to the base body37such that the seating device16can be rolled in the forward direction and in the backward direction.