Abstract:
Presented herein is a hanger device, for suspending a surfboard from a vertical surface such as a wall or a door in a manner such that the surfboard is suspended in a vertical position and essentially parallel to the vertical surface, said hanger device comprised of a back-plate that affixes to a vertical surface, a hook with a notched area and a tapered end for accommodating the pin of a leash plug on the surfboard, and a protruding element that prevents possible damage to both the surfboard and the vertical storage system by keeping the surfboard out and away from the vertical surface.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to recreational sports equipment, and specifically to storage devices used to store surfboards on a vertical surface. 
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Although we do not know its exact origins, the sport of surfing, and the requisite surfboards, has been around for many centuries. The earliest documented descriptions of the oval-shaped wooden boards date back to the 1700&#39;s. While modern surfboards maintain the oval shape of their predecessors, the surfing industry is additionally taking advantage of the latest technology to construct ever more efficient and functional surfboards. As a result, not only does the new surfboard come in an endless array of shapes, sizes, and colors, it may also be augmented by all kinds of accessories and embellishments. 
         [0003]    In general terms, a modern surfboard is shaped from a block of foam that has a rigid internal skeleton that is then covered with a fiberglass coat. Design features including the overall dimensions and shape of the surfboard, the degree of the curve of the rocker, the location and number of the fins, and the quality and thickness of the fiberglass coat all reflect carefully engineered decisions and precise construction. 
         [0004]    Oftentimes, modern surfboards are unique creations, hand-shaped by professional board shapers. As a result, not only is the performance and handling of each surfboard unique, but the purchase of a new surfboard represents a substantial investment. 
         [0005]    While designed to withstand the battering forces of the ocean waves, the fiberglass-coated, foam surfboards of today can be easily damaged while on land. Given the unique properties and the sizeable investment that each surfboard represents, it is therefore important for an owner to be able to safely store his surfboard away from the elements and the threat of theft. 
         [0006]    Frequently, the most secure location to store the surfboard is within the living quarters of its owner. The owner then needs an appropriate storage method that will also protect the surfboard. 
         [0007]    There are prior art methods that address these issues in various manners. For example, JP10252985 offers a stand to hold a surfboard vertically, by supporting the fins; U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,955 provides a surfboard holder that comprises a first and second piece for inserting the two ends of a surfboard, and a stretchable cord that extends between the two pieces; U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,123 discloses a wall-mounted rack that is mountable to an upright surface, with an extended portion which projects from the wall to support surfboards and the like and U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,116 stores a plurality of surfboards in upright orientations by means of a serpentine-shaped rack. 
         [0008]    However, these inventions simply do not offer an easy-to-use and inexpensive storage method that allows a surfboard to be suspended in an efficient and space saving fashion in accordance with the present invention.” 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an improved method of stowing a surfboard that overcomes the shortcomings of prior art storage methods, and that has a number of other advantages. 
         [0010]    This invention allows the surfboard to be suspended on the wall or other vertical surface such that the surfboard is longitudinally and essentially parallel to the vertical storage surface. This allows the surfboard to take up very little space, and the option of stowing the surfboard on the back of a door or in a corner of a room offers further space-savings. 
         [0011]    Because there are only two points where the surfboard contacts the hanger device, and because those points of contact are quite small, the surfboard is less likely to be damaged while stowed, and equally, is unlikely to damage the surface along which it is stowed. 
         [0012]    Finally, the present invention is very simple and practical to use. Once the hanger device is attached to the vertical service, the user can easily, and in one step, slip the leash plug pin over the hook to stow the surfboard. 
         [0013]    A unique feature of the present invention is the novel shape of the hook that works in conjunction with a leash plug of the surfboard rather than requiring additional hardware. The tapered end of the hook is designed to accommodate the leash plug pin on the leash plug of the surfboard. A pin notch on the hook provides a seat in which the leash plug pin may be seated securely. 
         [0014]    Another novel feature of the present invention is a protruding element that protrudes from the back-plate. This protruding element protects and holds the surfboard away from the vertical storage surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and further features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly understood in light of the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein— 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  briefly describes the anatomy of the upper surface of a basic surfboard, 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  provides a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the present invention with a surfboard suspended thereon. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Hanger device  10  of the present invention affixes to a vertical storage surface such as a wall or a door and enables stowing a surfboard  50  from a said surface such that surfboard  50  is suspended vertically and essentially parallel to the vertical storage surface. 
         [0021]    In order to better understand the present invention,  FIG. 1  provides a brief anatomy of the upper surface of a basic surfboard. The upper surface of a surfboard  50  is referred to as the deck  53 . The outer edges of deck  53  constitute the rails  54 . The forward portion of surfboard  50  is known as the nose  55 , and the rear portion the tail  56 . 
         [0022]    A leash plug  51  may be securely inset into the deck of surfboard  50  towards the tail and a leash plug pin  52  spans the opening of leash plug  51 . Leash plug  51  and pin  52  are used for attaching a leg leash to surfboard  50 . 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a back-plate  20 , a hook  30  with a pin notch  32  and a tapered end  34  for suspending the surfboard  50 , and a protruding element  40  that helps prevent damage to the surfboard  50 . For clarification, reference is made herein to the details in the accompanying drawings, wherein  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  shows the same embodiment from the side, and  FIG. 4  provides a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the invention with a surfboard suspended thereon. 
         [0024]    Back-plate  20  is a substantially planar, elongate constituent of device  10 . Back-plate  20  may be affixed to a vertical surface and contains the remainder of the components of hanger device  10 . 
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, back-plate  20  is made of acrylic; in other embodiments, back-plate  20  may be constructed of any other rigid material. 
         [0026]    Located on the upper portion of back-plate  20  is a hook  30 . In some embodiments of the present invention, hook  30  may be an integral part of back-plate  20 . In other embodiments, hook  30  may be a separate piece, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In embodiments where hook  30  and back-plate  20  are separate pieces, any means may be used to rigidly affix hook  30  to back-plate  20 , including, inter alia, screws, nails, and glue. 
         [0027]    Located on the lower portion of back-plate  20  is a protruding element  40 . In some embodiments of the present invention, protruding element  40  may be an integral part of back-plate  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In other embodiments, protruding element  40  may be a separate piece. In embodiments where protruding element  40  and back-plate  20  are separate pieces, any means may be used to rigidly affix protruding element  40  to back-plate  20 , including, inter alia, screws, nails, and glue. 
         [0028]    The overall outline of back-plate  20  may be of any shape. For example, in addition to the rectangular shape shown in  FIG. 2 , back-plate  20  may be, for example, an oval or a novelty shape such as a surfboard. 
         [0029]    There is also the option of placing a message on back-plate  20 , including, inter alia, a commercial message, or a logo. 
         [0030]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first end of hook  30  is rigidly affixed to back-plate  20  by means of screws, as clearly seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . There is also the option of using other means to attach hook  30  to back-plate  20 , or constructing hanger device  10  such that hook  30  is an integral part of back-plate  20 . 
         [0031]    Hook  30  extends away at a perpendicular angle from back-plate  20  and terminates in an upturned portion. 
         [0032]    A novel feature of hanger device  10  is a pin notch  32  that is located at the second end of the horizontal span of hook  30 , before the upturned portion of hook  30 . Pin notch  32  is shaped to correspond to the shape and size of the leash plug pin  52  of the leash plug  51  of a surfboard  50 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . Pin notch  32  provides an indentation on which pin  52  may be seated, ensuring that the surfboard  50  remains securely in place. 
         [0033]    Another novel feature of the present invention is a tapered end  34  located on the end of the upturned portion on the second end of hook  30 . Tapered end  34  is specially shaped and sized to facilitate the placement of surfboard  50  over hook  30 . 
         [0034]    The combination of these two novel features enables secure placement of surfboard  50  because the taper of tapered end  34  is small enough to easily slip tapered end  34  under leash plug pin  52 , and pin notch  32  holds surfboard  50  securely. 
         [0035]    In the preferred embodiment, hook  30  is made of stainless steel; in other embodiments, hook  30  may be constructed of any other rigid material. There is the option of encasing tapered end  34  in a covering material of, inter alia, rubber or other protective material. 
         [0036]    Protruding element  40  prevents surfboard  50  from banging against the wall or other vertical surface. 
         [0037]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, protruding element  40  is an integral part of back-plate  20  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . There is also the option of constructing hanger device  10  such that protruding element  40  is rigidly affixed to back-plate  20  by means of, inter alia, screws, nails, or glue. 
         [0038]    While the shape of protruding element  40  of the exemplary embodiment is substantially triangular in shape, in other embodiments, protruding element  40  may be of other shapes. 
         [0039]    There is the option of affixing padding material to at least part of protruding element  40 . 
         [0040]    Hook  30  and protruding element  40  need to be at least the same length. In some embodiments, protruding element  40  may extend beyond the length of hook  30 . 
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment, protruding element  40  is made of acrylic; in other embodiments, protruding element  40  may be constructed of any other rigid material. 
         [0042]    Hook  30  does not interfere with the leash; therefore, there is no need to remove the leash before stowing surfboard  50 . 
         [0043]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, hanger device  10  may be configured so as to be free-standing, thereby eliminating the need for affixing hanger device  10  to a vertical support surface. In addition to a hook  30  and a protruding element  40 , this embodiment of hanger device  10  comprises an elongated back-plate  20  that functions as a free-standing upright member, and a pedestal that supports and maintains back-plate  20  in an upright position. Such an embodiment may be useful in situations where there may not exist a suitable vertical surface on which to mount hanger device  10  as well as in commercial display areas. Some alternative options of this embodiment may also have a second hook  30  and protruding element  40  affixed to the second side of back-plate  20 , enabling the simultaneous suspension of two surfboards  50 . 
         [0044]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.