Abstract:
A water window apparatus including a main water window element, and a plurality of retaining flanges, along with interlocking teeth that fixedly communicate with one another to fixedly retain the main water window there between. The main water window is hollow, as well as monolithic and hermetically sealed to maintain its integral buoyancy, and further has a top that includes a magnifying element that imparts magnification when viewed therethrough.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/247,161, filed on Oct. 27, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to recreational surface water sports and, more specifically, to an apparatus for providing the rider of a bodyboard, stand-up or prone paddleboard, or surfboard with a magnified view of the water environment immediately beneath the respective board, to provide a glimpse of sea life otherwise obscured and to further provide warning of dangers that may be lurking below. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Surface water board sports, including surfing, stand-up and prone paddle boarding, and bodyboarding, a sport popularized by surfing enthusiast Tom Morey in the early 1970s when he invented the modern “boogie” bodyboard, have experienced regular and significant increases in participation in the U.S. in recent years. According to the Outdoor Foundation, the leading nonprofit trade organization for the outdoor recreation industry, surface water board sports are among some of the industry&#39;s fastest growing markets in the country. 
         [0004]    Nearly half of all Americans participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2014: 142 million participants, on a collective 11.8 billion outdoor outings. Of these, stand-up paddle boarding continues to experience the highest year-over-year participation growth, at 38% in the past year, with more than fifty percent of all first time outdoor recreation participants trying stand-up paddle boarding for the first time. 
         [0005]    Where surfboards and stand-up paddleboards require users to have the strength, coordination and balance to stand fully erect while riding, bodyboards allow users to ride prone, or on one knee (“drop knee”), allowing for a far broader range of user skill and age levels. And, because of its high degree of accessibility, bodyboarding has become a foundational gateway sport for stand-up paddle boarding and surfing. With a variety of price points and styles, bodyboards are widely available for the novice and the enthusiast alike, and with the short learning curve, bodyboarding has experienced a greater adoption rate among younger participants than the other respective board sport. 
         [0006]    Because of the vast range of skills and ages of users in surface water board sports, especially for the young users with limited or undeveloped attention spans, boredom can quickly set-in with routine and regular use. Additionally, for older riders of stand-up and prone paddleboards and surfboards, especially those operated in deeper offshore waters, the dangers of aggressive sea life beneath them can go unnoticed, leading to treacherous results. 
         [0007]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a water window apparatus that extends the playablity, interest and safety of the average surface water sports board. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention, in its many embodiments, provides an apparatus for the unobscured and magnified view of the underwater environment immediately beneath a surface water sports board. 
         [0009]    Exemplary embodiments of a water window apparatus comprises a main water window, and a mating pair of retaining flanges, further comprising interlocking teeth that fixedly communicate with one another to fixedly retain the main water window there between. 
         [0010]    In one or more exemplary embodiments, the main water window is hollow, as well as monolithic and hermetically sealed to maintain its integral buoyancy, and further comprises a top that includes a magnifying element that imparts magnification when the user views therethrough. The magnifying element further comprises a conventional convex lens, however in one or more exemplary embodiments, the magnifying element is of a Fresnel type lens to reduce the mass, cost and complexity of said magnifying element. 
         [0011]    One or more exemplary embodiments of the instant invention further comprise sealing means, configured in the flange retainer elements, accomplished through a combination of sealing channels and corresponding o-ring seals retained therein. 
         [0012]    In one or more exemplary embodiments, a water window apparatus comprises a main water window, received by a plurality of retaining flanges, wherein the plurality of retaining flanges further comprises interlocking teeth in a distal relationship with a flared top or a flared bottom of the retaining flanges. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the main water window is fixedly retained in a surface water sports board through the communication of, and fixed interaction of, the interlocking teeth of the distal portions of the plurality of retaining flanges. In one embodiment, the interlocked and fixedly attached water window assembly forms a watertight seal against the top-most and bottom-most surface of the surface water sport board through the interaction of a plurality of o-ring flange seals and a plurality of o-ring flange seal channels. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, a water window apparatus is configured to be used with a sports water board, the water window apparatus comprising a water window assembly comprising a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein the main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface; the main window element has a main body extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; a plurality of retaining flanges. In another embodiment, the plurality of retaining flanges further comprise a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring, wherein the flared top and the flared bottom rings further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and interlocking teeth distal to the flared top and the flared bottom rings. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, the main window element is fixedly retained in the sports water board through the communication of the interlocking teeth proximal to the flared top rings and the flared bottom rings of the retaining flanges, whereby the interlocking teeth of the flared top ring of the retaining flange fixedly interlock with the interlocking teeth of the flared bottom ring of the retaining flange. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the o-ring channel seals retained in the o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the flange retainer to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from interlocking of the interlocking teeth of the distal portions of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the retaining flange, and wherein the inner diameter of the retaining flange is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of the main window element, such that the main window element can nest and be bound by the inner diameter and the flared top of the retaining flange and by the inner diameter and the flared bottom of the retaining flange, where the main window element extends from the flared top ring of the retaining flange to the flared bottom ring of the retaining flange; and a magnifying element, wherein the magnifying element adjoins at least one of the top surface of the main window element or the bottom surface of the main window element. 
         [0017]    In still another embodiment, the window assembly further comprises a mating pair of retaining flanges. And in another embodiment, the magnifying element adjoins the top surface of the main window element. In a further embodiment, the magnifying element adjoins the bottom surface of the main window element. And in another embodiment, the magnifying element adjoins both the top surface and the bottom surface of the main window element. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the magnifying element comprises a convex lens geometry or a Fresnel configuration. 
         [0019]    In other embodiment, the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another. 
         [0020]    In yet another embodiment, the top surface of the sports board comprises a first end and a second end wherein the water window assembly is located closer to the first end the sports board, such that a user can observe the underwater environment by laying, kneeling or standing on the sports board. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment, the water sports board is selected from the group consisting of a bodyboard, a stand-up or prone paddleboard, and a surfboard. 
         [0022]    A water window apparatus configured to be used with a sports water board, the water window apparatus comprising: a water window assembly comprising: a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein the main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface and the bottom surface form a main body of the main window element; a plurality of retaining flanges, wherein the plurality of retaining flanges further comprises: flared top rings and flared bottom rings, wherein the flared top rings and the flared bottom rings further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and interlocking teeth distal to the flared top rings and the flared bottom rings; and a magnifying element, wherein the magnifying element adjoins at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the main window element. 
         [0023]    A water window apparatus configured to be used with a sports water board, the water window apparatus comprising: a water window assembly comprising: a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein the main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface and the bottom surface form a main body of the main window element; two retaining flanges, wherein each one of the two retaining flanges further comprises: a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring, wherein the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and interlocking teeth distal to the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the main window element is fixedly retained in the sports water board through the communication of the interlocking teeth proximal to the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges, whereby the interlocking teeth of the flared top ring of the two retaining flanges fixedly interlock with the interlocking teeth of the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges; wherein the o-ring channel seals retained in the o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of the interlocking teeth of the distally extending portions of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the inner diameter of each one of the two retaining flange is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of the main window element, such that the main window element can nest and be bound by the inner diameter and the flared top of each one of the two retaining flanges and by the inner diameter and the flared bottom of each one of the two retaining flanges, wherein the main window element extends from the flared top ring of each one of the two retaining flanges to the flared bottom ring of each one of the two retaining flanges; and a magnifying element, wherein the magnifying element adjoins at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the main window element. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, the water window apparatus is configured to be used with a sports water board, the water window apparatus comprising a water window assembly comprising a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element, wherein the main window element comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface and the bottom surface form a main body of the main window element; two retaining flanges, wherein each one of the two retaining flanges further comprises: a) a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring, wherein the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals; and b) interlocking teeth distal to the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the main window element is fixedly retained in the sports water board through the communication of the interlocking teeth proximal to the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges, whereby the interlocking teeth of the flared top ring of the two retaining flanges fixedly interlock with the interlocking teeth of the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges; wherein the o-ring channel seals retained in the o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of the interlocking teeth of the distally extending portions of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of the two retaining flanges, and wherein the inner diameter of each one of the two retaining flange is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of the main window element, such that the main window element can nest and be bound by the inner diameter and the flared top of each one of the two retaining flanges and by the inner diameter and the flared bottom of each one of the two retaining flanges. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the main window element extends from the flared top ring of each one of the two retaining flanges to the flared bottom ring of each one of the two retaining flanges; and a magnifying element, wherein the magnifying element adjoins both the top surface and the bottom surface of the main window element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0029]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  graphically illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a water window apparatus integrated into a water board in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  graphically illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a water window apparatus integrated into a water board in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3 , as an exemplary embodiment, is a cross-sectional view taken on line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4 , as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a close-up, cross-sectional view taken of region B of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 5 , as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a finer detail, mirror image close-up, cross-sectional detail view of region B of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 6 , as an exemplary embodiment, graphically illustrates a finer detailed cross-sectional view taken on Line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    A water window apparatus is designed and manufactured to provide water sports board users the unobscured and magnified view of the underwater environment immediately beneath a surface water sports board. When integrated into a surface water sports board, such as a bodyboard, a paddleboard or a surfboard, the water window apparatus opens-up the underwater world and its sea life, especially abundant in the tidal zones where aforementioned boards are frequently used. In addition, the water window apparatus allows the user quicker notice of possible dangers lurking beneath when aforementioned boards are operated in deep water. 
         [0037]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Thus, any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description. 
         [0038]    As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “water sports board” is intended to include sports board. Therefore, the terms “water sports board”, and “sports board”, may be used interchangeably. 
         [0039]    In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like reference numerals throughout. As used in the description herein and throughout, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “said” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “into” and “on”, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0040]    As used herein, the term “about” in conjunction with a numeral refers to a range of that numeral starting from 10% below the absolute of the numeral to 10% above the absolute of the numeral, inclusive. 
         [0041]    An exemplary configuration is schematically depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which a water window apparatus  10  is designed and adapted to be used in connection with water sports board  80 . In an embodiment, water sports board  80  comprises a top surface  5  and a bottom surface (not shown). In one or more other exemplary embodiments, water window apparatus  10  is used in a bodyboard, a stand-up or prone paddleboard, or a surfboard. In one embodiment, water window apparatus  10  includes water widow assembly  20 . In an embodiment, water window assembly  20  includes a hollow, hermetically sealed main window element  30  to maintain water sports board  80  integral buoyancy, and a plurality of retaining flanges  40 . In an embodiment, main window element  30  further comprises a top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface (not shown) that form a main body of the main window element  30 . In one embodiment, the top surface of the main window element  30  further comprises a magnifying element  70  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, main window element  30  is manufactured from clear thermoplastic materials. In other embodiments, examples of material of construction include polycarbonate, acrylic, or and combination of the aforementioned materials. In another embodiment, a plurality of retaining flanges  40  are manufactured from suitably rigid and strong materials. Other examples of material of construction include engineering thermoplastics, polycarbonate, acetal, polyester, nylon, blends, or any combination of the aforementioned materials. A skilled person in the art will be readily able to select a suitable material of construction for main window element  30  and retaining flanges  40  based on the operating conditions and requirements in the configurations contemplated herein. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, magnifying element  70  adjoins at least one of the top surface of the main window element  30  or the bottom surface of the main window element  30 . In another exemplary embodiment, magnifying element  70  adjoins the top surface of the main window element  30 . In still another embodiment, magnifying element  70  adjoins said bottom surface of said main window element  30 . In yet another embodiment, magnifying element  70  adjoins both the top surface and the bottom surface of main window element  30 . 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, magnifying element  70  is fixedly attached to main window element  30 , by adhesive, solvent bonding, spin welding, or heat welding, and other physical and/or chemical boding means/methods known in the art. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, magnifying element  70  may comprise conventional convex lens geometry. In another embodiment, magnifying element  70  may comprise a Fresnel configuration to reduce weight, cost and complexity of magnifying element  70 . A skilled person in the art will be readily able to select a suitable material of construction for magnifying element  70  based on the operating conditions and requirements in the configurations contemplated herein. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, plurality of retaining flanges  40  further comprise a flared top ring and a flared bottom ring (not shown), wherein the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring are geometric mirrors of one another. In another embodiment, a plurality of retaining flanges  40  further comprise interlocking teeth  50  distal to the flared top and the flared bottom rings of retaining flanges  40 . In one embodiment, the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of retaining flanges  40  further comprise a plurality of o-ring channels (not shown) and a corresponding plurality of o-ring channel seals  60  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In an exemplary embodiment, o-ring channels and corresponding o-ring channel seals  60  comprise chloroprene (neoprene), buna-n, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), silicone, or polyurethane. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, main window element  30  is fixedly retained in sports board  80  through the communication of interlocking teeth  50  proximal to the flared top rings and the flared bottom rings of retaining flanges  40 , whereby interlocking teeth  50  of flared top ring of retaining flange  40 , located at top of sports board  80 , fixedly interlocks with interlocking teeth  50  of flared bottom ring of retaining flange  40 , located at the bottom of sports board  80  (as shown in  FIGS. 4,5 &amp; 6 ). 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, the inner diameter of retaining flange  40  is dimensioned to accommodate the outer diameter of main window element  30 , such that main window element  30  can nest and be bound by the inner diameter and the flared top ring of retaining flange  40  and by the inner diameter and the flared bottom ring of retaining flange  40 , where main window element  30  extends from the flared top ring of the retaining flange  40 , located at the top of sports board  80 , to the flared bottom ring of retaining flange  40 , located at the bottom of sports board  80 . 
         [0049]    In another embodiment, o-ring channel seals  60  retained in o-ring channels extend around the circumference of the inner diameter and the outer diameter of flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of flange retainer  40  to create a watertight seal when firmly seated and under compression from engaged interlocking of the interlocking teeth  50  of the distally extending portions of the flared top ring and the flared bottom ring of retaining flange  40  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0050]    In an exemplary embodiment, sports board  80  comprises first end  80   a  and second end  80   b.  In one embodiment, water window assembly  20  is located closer to first end  80   a  than second end  80   b  of sports board  80 , such that a user can easily observe the underwater environment (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) by laying, kneeling or standing on the sports board. A skilled person in the art will readily appreciate the proper position of water window assembly for different sports boards of different dimensions. 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, the location of water window assembly  20  depends on the sports board style. In an exemplary embodiment, main water window element  30  is positioned well forward on sports board so that it is in a convenient place for the user&#39;s viewing. In another exemplary embodiment, man window element  30  is of a size such that it is sufficiently large enough for providing convenient access to the user&#39;s ability to view underwater. For example, in an embodiment, main water window element  30  is about 6 inches in diameter to about 15 inches in diameter. One of ordinary skill in the art can envision other dimensions, which may vary with the type of water sports board or a typical board but not detract from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0052]    Thus, specific embodiments of a water window apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, 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 spirit 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.