Folding recreational board

A foldable recreational board that can be formed into a ridable board for riding and then folded when finished for easy transportation or storage. The foldable recreational board has foam sections covered by a flexible skin. The flexible skin includes a closing and opening mechanism. When the closing and opening mechanism is closed the skin is held very tight around the foam sections so that the foam sections are squeezed together tightly to form a ridable board. When the closing and opening mechanism is opened, pressure is released from the foam sections and the recreational board can be folded. In a preferred embodiment there are three foam sections and the opening and closing mechanism is two zippers attached to a ½ inch thick flexible neoprene skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational water boards, such as paddle boards, surfboards and body hoards are known in the prior art. These type of boards are very enjoyable for many adults and children. Modern boards are usually fabricated from foam and are not very heavy. Often, however, they are very large in size and take up significant space. The boards need to have sufficient size to support and adequately float a human being. This can make it difficult to transport a board to the water, carry the board, fit a board in an automobile or conveniently store the board at the user's home.

As stated above, prior art bodyboards, paddle boards and surfboards are commonly fabricated from foam core. The foam may then be covered in a layer of fiberglass to increase strength, durability and to help prevent water absorption in the foam. Foam types may vary. A common choice of surfboard foam includes Polyurethane (PU), Polystyrene (PS) or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam.

Bodyboard foam may include extruded polyethylene. Polypropylene offers extruded and beaded models. Memory is the most important advantage of this core bodyboard material. Polyethylene is water resistant, durable and light weight.

Board foam may also be 70% polystyrene and 30% polyethylene. Bodyboards made of this combination keep the original shape longer and its stiffness level is excellent.

What is needed is an improved recreational board that is easily transportable and storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a foldable recreational board that can be formed into a ridable board for riding and then folded when finished for easy transportation or storage. The foldable recreational board has foam sections covered by a flexible skin. The flexible skin includes a closing and opening mechanism. When the closing and opening mechanism is closed the skin is held very tight around the foam sections so that the foam sections are squeezed together tightly to form a ridable board. When the closing and opening mechanism is opened, pressure is released from the foam sections and the recreational board can be folded. In a preferred embodiment there are three foam sections and the opening and closing mechanism is two zippers attached to a ½ inch thick flexible neoprene skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a preferred embodiment of preferred segmented paddle board250. In the preferred embodiment, rear foam section106, middle foam section104and front foam section102are placed inside neoprene skin115. Skin115includes a closing and opening mechanism for closing skin115tightly around the foam sections to squeeze the foam sections together to form a ridable board250and then also for providing an opening in skin215to release pressure on the foam sections to allow board250to be folded. For example, in a preferred embodiment, skin115is zipped tightly together using zippers110and112so that stiff, functional paddle board250is created. Skin115includes an opening so that fin116can be rigidly connected to rear foam section106. In a preferred embodiment, board250is folded as shown inFIG. 2when not being used in the water. After board250is folded, it can then be easily stored or transported. For example, in one preferred embodiment the user places board250into backpack252. Skeg116is placed into pocket254. Board250may then be easily transported by one individual, as shown inFIG. 4.

Assembling a Preferred Board

InFIG. 5, the user has acquired rear foam section106, middle foam section104and front foam section102. Each of the foam sections are detached from each other. In a preferred embodiment foam sections102,104and106are a 70% polystyrene and 30% polyethylene foam.

InFIG. 6, the user has inserted foam sections102,104, and106into neoprene skin115. Neoprene skin is preferably approximately ½ inch thick and includes zippers110and112. Neoprene skin is strong and flexible so that it forms tightly around foam sections102,104and106after being zipped shut. Accordingly, after the user has inserted foam sections102,104, and106the user zips zippers110and112shut so that foam sections102,104and106are squeezed tightly close together as shown to form board250. The user has also attached skeg116through opening123in skin115(see alsoFIGS. 10-11). The user is now able to use board250in the water.

Folding a Preferred Board for Transport or Storage

InFIG. 7, the user has finished using board250and is ready to transport it away from the water. The user has removed skeg116from foam section106.

InFIG. 8the user has unzipped zippers110and112. The user has also begun to fold board250. For example, rear foam section106is pivoting counterclockwise about hinge291formed by skin115between rear section106and middle section104. Front section102is pivoting counter clockwise about a hinge formed by skin115between front section102and middle section104.

InFIG. 9, the user has finished folding board250so that it is now easily transportable and storable. For example, board250will now fit easily into the back of a small car or fit easily into an ordinary backpack (FIGS. 3-4).

It should be noted that the size of foam sections102,104and106and the size of skin115may vary depending on the wishes of the user and the ultimate desired size of board250. For example in one preferred embodiment foam sections102,104and106have a width of approximately 18 inches and a length of approximately 23 inches. Also in a preferred embodiment foam sections102may have an average thickness of approximately 1.5 inches.

Preferred Board Having Two Foam Sections

Assembling a Preferred Board

InFIG. 12, the user has inserted rear foam section162and front foam section164into neoprene skin115. Neoprene skin115is preferably approximately ½ inch thick and includes zipper180. After the user has inserted foam sections162and164into skin115the user zips zippers180shut so that foam sections162and164are held tightly close together as shown to form board350. The user has also attached skeg116through an opening in skin115. The user is now able to use board350in the water.

Folding a Preferred Board for Transport or Storage

InFIG. 13, the user has finished using board350and is ready to transport it away from the water. The user has removed skeg116from foam section162.

InFIG. 14the user has unzipped zipper180. The user has also begun to fold board350. For example, rear foam section162is pivoting counterclockwise about hinge391formed by skin115between rear section162and front section164.

InFIG. 15, the user has finished folding board350so that it is now easily transportable and storable. For example, board350will now fit easily into the back of a small car or fit easily into an ordinary backpack (FIGS. 3-4).

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, the reader should consider these described embodiments only as particular embodiments. Many other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the reader should determine the scope of the present invention by the claims and their legal equivalents.