Abstract:
A foot traction pad is provided for a sport board having a built-in arch. The arch is constructed of a bladder containing a fluid that will move and conform to a user&#39;s foot and continue conformance whenever there is foot movement. The bladder underlies and attaches to a pad covering. Extending upwardly from the plane of the pad is a foot abutment structure. The structure is spaced-apart from the rear end of the bladder and may include one or more small bladders. The abutment structure is aligned laterally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the bladder. The pad covering overlies the abutment structure. The pad may be an integrated unitary body or it may have peripheral segments for accommodating different sport board sizes and shapes.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60/345,218 filed Jan. 3, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention pertains generally to cushioned foot pads. More particularly, the invention concerns a foot pad for a sport board that increases foot stability and facilitates maneuvering.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Surfers and related sport board users are oftentimes confronted with difficult conditions such as choppy water, large waves, high winds and uneven terrain. In order to control one&#39;s board, there must be an effective connection between the board and a user&#39;s feet. In some board sports, bindings have been used to lock one&#39;s feet to the board. However, bindings restrict foot movements that are needed to maintain a proper center of balance during board maneuvers. Unrestrictive means for foot control comprise wax or grit coatings on the top of a board. Other means are ribbed pads, tapered pads, and pads with foot retention cavities.  
           [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,523, a longitudinally extending V-shaped channel is used to provide a foot bearing means. However, the open channel provides only minimal leverage and is not effective when making sharp turns.  
           [0007]    A wedge-shaped pad that extends laterally across a board is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,035. This device provides asymmetric foot leverage in one direction only. Therefore, it has only limited usefulness.  
           [0008]    A pad that tapers gradually from a thin inner edge to a thick edge adjacent the front nose of a wakeboard, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,051. This pad also discloses a longitudinally tapering offset arch support with concavities for the ball and heel areas of a foot. Problems with this design is that it is foot specific. Therefore, usefulness is limited. Additionally, the gradual tapering presents too much of a thickened area that unnaturally shifts a user&#39;s center of balance. This construction hinders, rather than helps, board control. Also, the gradual taper does not provide a positive abutment for preventing a user&#39;s foot from slipping off the edge of the pad.  
           [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,558, a foot saddle is disclosed that provides a strong abutment for a user&#39;s foot when making rapid turns. The saddle resolves the problem of a foot slipping off the back end of a board. However, it provides no other means for controlling foot slippage because it has no underlying traction pad nor is there any mention of a stabilizing arch support.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention overcomes numerous deficiencies of the prior art by providing a foot pad having at least one fluid-filled compressible member for an arch support. The compressible member comprises a sealed enclosure that permits fluid movement within the enclosure interior. Fluid movement occurs when a user imparts downward pressure to the enclosure by placement of a foot onto the enclosure. This action causes the enclosure wall to move and conform to the varying contours of a user&#39;s foot. A contoured connection to the board is thereby achieved which significantly stabilizes foot position. Such stabilization, in turn, greatly enhances control of the board through every type of maneuver or ambient condition.  
           [0011]    The pad may comprise an overall single piece unit or it may be segmented to permit variations in size and shape. The pad may include a foot abutment structure which may also incorporate one or more fluid-filled compressible members. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The novel features of this invention will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the description below, in which similar characters refer to similar parts, and in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the foot pad of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is top plan view of the foot pad of FIG. 1 showing sections thereof broken apart.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the foot pad of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the foot pad of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is top plan view of the foot pad of FIG. 1 attached to the top surface of a surfboard.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is top plan view of the arch bladder of the foot pad of FIG. 1  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  in FIG. 6.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  in FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  in FIG. 6.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 2.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a front elevational schematic view of the foot pad of FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which a user&#39;s foot laterally engages the foot pad during operation.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a side elevational schematic view of the foot pad and foot of FIG. 11.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  in FIG. 4.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing an alternative pocket bladder in the kick structures.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14A is an elevational view taken along line  14 A in FIG. 14.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14 showing an integrated kick structure with an alternative tubular bladder.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15A is an elevational view taken along line  15 A in FIG. 15.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an alternative pad having different sectional parts with an arch section combined with an integrated kick structure.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the pad shown in FIG. 16 with the sectional parts broken away.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of an alternative mono-pad with no sectional parts. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the foot pad of the present invention is shown and designated generally by reference  10 . In brief overview, the pad comprises a substantially oval shaped arch section  12 , a pair of mirror image curved middle sections  14 ,  14  that enclose the arch section and a pair of mirror image curved kick sections  16 ,  16  that flank the middle sections  14 ,  14 . The arch section, middle sections and kick sections combine to produce an overall pad assembly having features unlike any other sport board foot pad.  
         [0034]    The overall pad  10  is preferably symmetrically oriented about a center axis  18  and the major axis of the oval arch is positioned to be coincident with pad center axis  18 . As best seen in FIG. 5, when the pad is attached to surfboard  19 , center axis  18  is preferably aligned to be coextensive with the centerline longitudinal axis of the surfboard. It will be appreciated, however, that the traction pad could also be aligned angularly in relation to the board centerline and/or it may be placed at an offset location from the board centerline. As used herein, the term “sport board” comprehends a surfboard, wakeboard, skateboard, boogie board and sail board. The term also comprehends, boat decks or other structures wherein increased foot traction is desired. Conversely, use of the term “board” or “surfboard” is meant to comprehend any sport board.  
         [0035]    As mentioned, the pad may be a mono-pad comprising a single overall unit as shown in FIG. 18 or it may comprise an assembly of sections as shown in FIGS. 1 and 16. Either way, for attachment to the upper surface of a sport board, the underside of the pad is provided with an adhesive coating  42 . The coating is protected with a backing sheet  43  which is removed prior to placement of the pad (or sections) to the sport board in a manner known in the art.  
         [0036]    The arch section comprises an arch bladder  40  that is overlaid with an arch covering  38 . The covering generally assumes a convex configuration corresponding to the bladder shape. The bladder may have a spherical, tubular, oblong or toroidal shape depending on its specific purpose and position in the pad. It should be constructed of a flexible fluid impervious material such as elastic polymers and rubber compounds. The bladder should have sufficient wall strength to avoid rupture when subjected to dynamic forces during use.  
         [0037]    The bladder interior may be open or include support walls. The interior should have sufficient fluid to avoid collapse when stepped upon and used during sport board maneuvers. As shown in FIG. 6, the bladder  40  has an oblong shape providing an oval outline. The outline is defined by a peripheral margin  41 .  
         [0038]    To secure the bladder in place, the arch covering underside may have an adhesive to which the bladder will adhere. Additionally, the arch covering includes a skirt portion  39  that extends beyond the arch bladder margin  41 . The skirt portion underside is also provided with an adhesive so that the bladder margin will be secured to the skirt portion and the entire bladder will be enclosed and secured to the upper surface of a surfboard during the pad attachment process.  
         [0039]    The arch covering may be provided with one or more openings to reveal the underlying arch bladder. As shown, two mirror-image pairs of elongated openings  54   a - d  are formed in the arch covering that expose corresponding upraised portions  52   a - d  of the arch bladder. It is expected that the bladder may have other protuberances or other predetermined contours as dictated by end use design needs. The bladder may be clear or have a color that contrasts with the pad covering color to provide a striking aesthetically pleasing appearance. Alternatively, the fluid in the bladder may be colored and/or incorporate reflective particles to create an interesting effect.  
         [0040]    With reference to FIGS.  6 - 10 , bladder  40  comprises a sealed enclosure having a flexible outer wall  49 . The enclosure interior midportion has two longitudinally extending inner walls  50 . The inner walls are sealed to the enclosure interior surfaces and are spaced-apart to define a center chamber  46 . The interior areas on the outboard side of each inner wall  50  are referenced as outboard chambers  48 .  
         [0041]    As best seen in FIG. 6, the opposing ends of the inner walls are joined together to form an oval-shaped center chamber. The outboard chambers circumscribe the center chamber and provide a continuous open channel around the center chamber. The aforementioned upraised portions  52   a - d , extend upwardly from fore and aft areas of the outboard chamber, as best seen in FIGS.  7 - 9 . The upraised portions, center chamber  46  and outboard chambers  48  are symmetrically oriented about center axis  18 .  
         [0042]    The center chamber  46  and outboard chamber  48  are preferably filled with air. However, other fluid mediums, such as water, viscous solutions, gels, and like are also envisioned and are considered within the scope of the present invention. When air is used, it is preferred to inflate the bladder to a pressure range of about 10-50 psi.  
         [0043]    The middle sections each include a respective curved inner edge  20  with a curvature that corresponds to the oval shape of arch section  12 . The curved inner edge  20  merges into a straight forward edge  22 . Straight forward edge  22  extends into an arcuate outer edge  24  that is spaced-apart from curved inner edge  20  at the forward portion of the middle section, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and  5 . At the rear of each middle section, arcuate outer edge  24  directly merges into curved inner edge  20 . With this configuration, the width of the middle section has a decreasing taper from a maximum width w 1  at straight forward edge  22 , to a minimum width w 2  immediately proximate the rear tip  25  of the middle section. This gives the middle section a somewhat crescentic overall profile when viewed in top plan.  
         [0044]    When positioned around arch section  12 , the middle sections  14 ,  14  are symmetrically oriented about pad center axis  18  and the straight forward edges  22 ,  22  are coextensive with center axis  18 . When in this position, the curved inner edges  20 ,  20  of the middle sections contact perimeter edge  26  of the arch, and the middle sections essentially surround the arch.  
         [0045]    The kick sections  16 ,  16  both have a curved inner kick edge  28  with a shape corresponding to the arcuate outer edge  24  of the middle section. The curved inner kick edge  28  merges into rounded outer kick edge  30  at forward tip  32  of the kick section. Proceeding rearwardly from the forward tip, each kick section has a width w k  which initially increases from a minimum width near forward tip  32 , than remains at a substantially uniform width along the mid-portion of the kick section.  
         [0046]    At the rear portions of each respective kick section, the curved inner kick edge  28  merges into a straight rear edge  34 . The straight rear edge extends rearwardly in a line coincident with center axis  18 . It then terminates at tail edge  31  which inclines outwardly until it merges with outer kick edge  30 . The rear corner portion outlined by the above edges, defines a half kick structure  36  having a tail face  33  and outer face  35 .  
         [0047]    When assembled, the kick sections  16 , 16  are oriented symmetrically about center axis  18  so that straight rear edges  34 ,  34  are coincident with center axis  18 . When this occurs, the curved inner kick edge  28  of each kick section contacts a respective arcuate outer edge  24  of middle section  14 . The overall length of the kick section is sufficient to extend at least halfway around a respective arcuate outer edge of the middle section. Once assembled, the half-kick sections  16 ,  16  along with their respective half kick structures  36 ,  36  combine to establish the overall kick area  37 .  
         [0048]    By referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that over half of the pad has a uniform thickness t p . However, the thickness increases at least two, and preferably four or more times as the rear portion of the kick section merges into rear kickwall  54  of the aforementioned half-kick structure  36 . At the curved top portion of the structure, the thickness is referenced as t k  which is about six times the t p  thickness. This increased thickness accommodates the placement and securement of kick bladders  56  in the half-kick structures. It also elevates the rear upstanding kick wall  54  to provide an effective abutment means for a user&#39;s foot.  
         [0049]    Each kick bladder  56  comprises an enclosed kick bladder wall  57  that defines an interior kick chamber  58  (See FIG. 13). The kick bladder  56  is fixed within an elongated aperture  59  that extends through the mid-portion of the half-kick structure from tail face  33  to outer face  35 . The chamber will contain the previously described fluid to provide a cushioning effect along the length of the bladder. Such effect is enhanced as the kick structure itself has a curved cross-section, as shown, and is constructed of a resilient material such as foamed rubber, EVA or other polymer materials.  
         [0050]    Alternative kick bladders and bladder orientations within the kick structures are depicted in FIGS. 14, 14A,  15  and  15 A. In FIGS. 14 and 14A, a pocket enclosure  70  extends inwardly from each of the tail faces  33  and outer faces  35 . The enclosures may be inserted into preformed openings in the kick structure and secured therein by adhesives. Alternatively, the enclosures may be integrated into the kick structure during the manufacturing process.  
         [0051]    The length of the pocket enclosures  70  should not exceed the width of the half kick structure  36  and the long axis of each enclosure is about perpendicular to each respective outer face  35 . The enclosures function to provide an enhanced cushioning effect. They also lighten the weight of the pad when air is used as the interior fluid.  
         [0052]    In FIGS. 15 and 15A, an elongated tubular enclosure  72  is shown that extends across the length of unitary kick structure  36 ′. The unitary kick structure is shown in the alternative embodiments discussed below with reference to FIGS.  16 - 18 . The tubular enclosure is aligned about parallel with the unitary kick structure longitudinal axis and may interconnect opposing outer faces  33 . The diameter of the tubular enclosure should be less than the average width of the kick structure. It may fit within a preformed aperture extending across the kick structure or it may be formed integral with the kick structure during the manufacturing process.  
         [0053]    The traction pad arch covering and overall pad body comprise a durable flexible material  53  creating the aforementioned overall thickness t p . The material is preferably made of an expanded vinyl acetate (EVA) material. However, neoprene rubber, polymer resins and other similar types of flexible materials could be used. The upper surface of the pad body is provided with raised protuberances  44  which are arranged in a grid-like pattern to provide increased traction for the user during operation. It is to be appreciated, however, that other shapes and types of protuberances could be used. The pad underside is preferably smooth and is coated with an adhesive  42  as previously described.  
         [0054]    FIGS.  16 - 17  illustrate an alternative side sectional pad  10 ′ having a center section  13  with opposing interior sections  15 ,  15  fitted adjacent respective side edges of the center section. Placed adjacent respective outer edges of the interior sections are opposing side sections  17 , 17 .  
         [0055]    The center section somewhat resembles an inverted T and comprises a bladder central area  60  that is integral with unitary kick structure  36 ′. The bottom area of each of the interior sections and side sections are truncated to define a combined coextensive bottom edge that fits against a corresponding upper edge  61  of the unitary kick structure  36 ′. The location of bladder  40  in the central area  60  and the end elevational profiles of pad  10 ′, are similar to the pad  10  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 18 presents a simplified version of the invention comprising the aforementioned non-sectioned mono-pad  10 ″. The plan and elevational views of this pad are similar to the pads shown in FIGS. 1 and 16. The mono-pad is easier to install on a sport board. Also, it permits greater versatility in the placement and angular orientation of bladder  40 . In such case, the bladder area  60  may be spaced-apart from center axis  18  or it may be moved axially relative to the kick structure or it may be aligned angularly relative to the center axis.  
         [0057]    It will be appreciated that more than one bladder may be used in this embodiment, and in any of the other embodiments described above, to form an arch section  12  or bladder area  60 . Still further, it can be seen that more than one foot pad may be applied to a board to accommodate both feet of a user. Alternatively, more than one arch section may be incorporated into a foot pad at selected positions and orientations. For example, if an elongated foot pad is provided to accommodate both feet of a user, more than one arch section may be located in the pad.  
         [0058]    In operation, and referring now primarily to FIGS. 11 and 12, the user places a first foot  62  laterally across arch section  12 . The other foot is moved across the board as needed to maintain balance. The fluid-filled arch bladder will then yield to allow the pad to conform to the shape of the first foot. This provides a strong stable connection to the sport board. It also provides shock absorption under the user&#39;s foot as compared to conventional semi-rigid arch supports.  
         [0059]    During maneuvers, the arch bladder allows the user to more readily roll his or her ankle. This permits a smoother transition of the user&#39;s weight and facilitates quick turns of the board. Likewise, the steeply inclined shape of the kick structure creates a positive abutment against which a user can push strongly without concern about the foot slipping off the tail of the board. It will also be appreciated that the bladders enhance buoyancy when the pad is used with water craft products such as surfboards. They also lessen the weight of the overall pad as compared to prior art foot pads.  
         [0060]    While the foot pads shown and disclosed herein are fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages above stated, it is to be understood that the presently preferred embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and no limitations are intended therefor.