Abstract:
A kit for converting a conventional surfboard into a motorized one, to assist a surfer in paddling away from shore, includes a small motor attachable to the surfboard and a control remote. The electric motor is built directly into a rudder or fin, attachable to the surfboard without any structural modification to the board. The remote control is wireless and worn on the surfer&#39;s hand or wrist. With a motorized surfboard propelling the surfer forward at a low rate of speed, it is unnecessary for the surfer to exert considerable energy paddling out to catch another wave.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention pertains generally to a motorized surfboard to assist a surfer in paddling out from shore to catch and ride a wave of water, and more particularly to such a device having a motor being radio controlled by the surfer.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The history of surfing goes back centuries. Initially surfboards were generally over ten (10) feet long and heavy, made of wood that tended to soak up water. Sometime around World War II rudders were added to the underside of surfboards which helped make them more maneuverable. Certain individuals began doing more radical board maneuvers, and surfing became a fad of the 1950s.  
           [0005]    In the later half of the twentieth century surfing became a sport of increased popularity, especially in heavily-populated southern California and Hawaii, especially on the north shore of Oahu where waves tend to be very large. Improvements in surfboard design included introduction of foam and fiberglass materials made for boards that were lighter weight and also easier to manufacture than those carved of wood decades earlier. The new boards were much more maneuverable on the water as well.  
           [0006]    The late 1960s saw the introduction of the shortboard, having a length of about six (6) feet, and also use of a flexible rudder or fin which allowed boards to move faster and turn tighter. In the 70s and 80s multiple fins were introduced, as well as “stick-on” fins which could be mounted in various positions outside the permanently glassed-on central fin. The leash or leg rope connecting surfers to surfboards was also invented.  
           [0007]    In recent years certain refinements were made to the shape and contour of the surfboard, but in general major innovations have been few. Most surfers have been generally satisfied with the improved equipment as it is. One problem is that surfers who began the sport in the 1960s and still surf today, however, are getting much older. Repeatedly paddling out from shore to catch and ride another wave is becoming more difficult as these surfers age and their physical capabilities decline.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple device attachable to a conventional surfboard to assist surfers, especially those of limited physical ability, in paddling out away from shore.  
           [0009]    It is another object that the device of the present invention weigh as little as possible and be streamlined and as small as possible to avoid interfering with normal operation of the surfboard in catching and riding waves back into shore.  
           [0010]    It is yet another object that attachment of the device require no structural modification of the conventional surfboard.  
           [0011]    Finally, an additional object of the present invention is that it be set up for ease of control, and that the surfer need not reach around to a motor mounted on the underside of the board to start or stop propelling of the board forward.  
           [0012]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following description and accompanying drawings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    A kit for converting a conventional surfboard into a motorized surfboard to assist a human surfer in paddling out from shore to catch and ride a wave of water includes a motor attachable to an underside of the conventional surfboard without structural modification to the surfboard. The motor has enough power to push the surfer along in the water at about five (5) miles per hour, and is preferably battery powered. Preferably there is a streamlined housing in which the motor is mounted, and a propeller coupled to the motor and preferably mounted inside a protective cowling. Preferably the housing is integral to the central rudder or fin, or it could be attachable to the rudder or fin adjacent the underside of the surfboard.  
           [0014]    A controller remote from the motor, but preferably in wireless communication with the motor, allows the surfer to signal operation of the motor. Preferably the controller may vary the output of the motor to propel the surfer on the motorized surfboard from zero to its maximum speed. Preferably the controller is attachable to the surfer&#39;s body and is battery powered.  
           [0015]    Operation of the invention is envisioned as follows. A motor having a maximum output of approximately two horsepower is procured. The motor is attached to the underside of the surfboard without making any structural modifications to the surfboard. Preferably this is by attaching a fin having a streamlined housing containing the motor. The surfboard is placed in the water near the shore. The surfer climbs atop the surfboard. The motor is turned on to propel the surfboard forward, such that it is unnecessary for the surfer to exert considerable energy paddling out away from the shore. Preferably the motor is remotely controlled from the surfer&#39;s body, and the turning-on of the motor is by sending a wireless signal.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment showing components of the kit;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the components installed on the underside of a conventional surfboard;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of the preferred embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fin with integral housing containing the motor;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fin housing the motor;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wireless remote control; and,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate wireless remote control. 
     
    
     LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0023]    kit . . .  10   
         [0024]    battery charger . . .  15   
         [0025]    rudder or fin . . .  20   
         [0026]    integral housing . . .  22   
         [0027]    forward nose cap . . .  23   
         [0028]    electric motor . . .  24   
         [0029]    motor compartment cap . . .  25   
         [0030]    propeller . . .  26   
         [0031]    protective cowling . . .  27   
         [0032]    forward bulkhead . . .  28   
         [0033]    aft bulkhead . . .  29   
         [0034]    conventional surfboard . . .  30   
         [0035]    slot (for rudder) . . .  31   
         [0036]    motorized surfboard . . .  40   
         [0037]    wireless remote control . . .  50   
         [0038]    power supply (remote) . . .  52   
         [0039]    batteries (remote) . . .  53   
         [0040]    speed control (remote) . . .  54   
         [0041]    transmitter . . .  56   
         [0042]    receiver . . .  58   
         [0043]    power supply (motor) . . .  60   
         [0044]    watch-type batteries (motor) . . .  61   
         [0045]    speed control (motor) . . .  62   
         [0046]    hand wrap . . .  70   
         [0047]    speed control wheel . . .  72   
         [0048]    battery compartment . . .  74   
         [0049]    battery cap . . .  76   
         [0050]    wrist band . . .  80   
         [0051]    power switch . . .  82   
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0052]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently-preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the structure and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structures and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0053]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, illustrated is the kit  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to convert a conventional surfboard  30  into a motorized surfboard  40  to assist a surfer in paddling out from shore. The kit  10  includes a rudder or fin  20  having an integral housing  22  containing an electric motor  24 , the rudder or fin  20  attachable to the conventional surfboard  30 . The kit  10  further includes a wireless remote control  50  attachable to the body of the surfer, preferably either to his or her hand or wrist. Finally, the kit  10  may contain a conventional battery charger  15  for conventional batteries  61  of the electric motor  24 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 2 illustrates attachment of the rudder or fin  20  to the conventional surfboard  30  to make the motorized surfboard  40 . The attachment is accomplished without any structural modification of the conventional surfboard  30 . Such conventional surfboards  30  typically have a slot  31  sized to receive the rudder or fin  20 , and the aft end of the rudder or fin  20  includes a set screw (not shown), hand tightened to securely hold the rudder or fin  20  in the conventional surfboard  30 .  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated are the basic electrical components of the preferred embodiment. The remote control  50  includes a power supply  52 , in electrical communication with a speed control  54  and a transmitter  56 . The power supply  52  is preferably a watch-type battery  53 , as the remote control  50  need only have very short range capability, perhaps ten feet or less.  
         [0056]    In wireless communication with the remote control  50  transmitter  56  is a receiver  58  contained in the integral housing  22  of the attachable rudder or fin  20 . In electrical communication with the receiver  58  are a power supply  60 , an electronic speed control  62  and the electric motor  24 . The speed control  62  is an integrated circuit that regulates the power based on signals received from the receiver  58 , from the power supply  60  to the motor  24 .  
         [0057]    Parts of the transmitter  56  and receiver  58  are antennae (not shown) for transmitting and receiving the radio waves for wireless communication. The receiver  58  antenna may consist of a wire that plugs into and dangles off the back of the rudder or fin  20  housing  22 , with a float on the end to keep a portion of the antenna on top of the water. Alternatively, the receiver  58  antenna wire could wrap around to the top surface of the surfboard and be attached thereto with one or more small strips of Velcro®.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the hardware inside the integral housing  22  of the attachable rudder or fin  20 . Contained therein are eight (8) rechargeable Ni—Cd (nickel cadmium) 1.5 volt batteries  61 , the receiver  58 , the speed control  62  and the electric motor  24 . Coupled to the electric motor  24  is a propeller  26  which provides a thrusting force to drive the surfboard forward. The propeller  26  has three 60 millimeter blades and a 5 millimeter shaft.  
         [0059]    There are many different types and sizes of motors available, either with brushes or brushless. An appropriate brushless motor  24  would be intended for direct drive of the propeller  26  to approximately 20,000 revolutions per minute. The batteries  61  directly affect the duration of power as well as the thrust of the motor  24 . Higher powered batteries at 4.8, 6.0, 7.2 and 9.6 volts are readily available.  
         [0060]    Between the motor  24  and propeller  26  is a threaded motor compartment cap  25  that puts a watertight seal around the motor  24 , keeping water from going in the small opening in the housing  22  for the propeller shaft. The threaded motor compartment cap  25  also helps to dissipate heat into the surrounding water. Between the receiver  58  and speed control  62  on the one hand, and the motor  24  and batteries  61  on the other hands, are forward and aft bulkheads  28  and  29 , respectively, merely keeping the compartments housing these components separate from one another.  
         [0061]    The forward nose of the integral housing  22  is a threaded cap  23  having a watertight seal to the remainder of the housing  22 . Surrounding the propeller  26  is a protective cowling  27  to safeguard against inadvertent contact by the surfer with the propeller  26 . The cowling  27  is a cage-like structure keeping the surfer&#39;s hands away from the propeller  26  while allowing free flow of water through.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment for the wireless remote control  50 , a hand wrap  70  with a speed control wheel  72  and a battery compartment  74  and watertight battery cap  76 . Rotating the wheel  72  to the right causes the speed of the motor  24  to increase, whereas rotating it in the opposite direction causes it to slow down or stop.  
         [0063]    Having described the structure of the preferred embodiment of the kit  10  and motorized surfboard  40 , it is now possible to describe their operation and use. The attachable rudder or fin  20  having the integral housing  22  containing the electric motor  24  is procured, along with the eight pack of 1.5 volt Ni—Cd rechargeable batteries  61 .  
         [0064]    Additionally, the other major part of the kit  10  or motorized surfboard  40  is procured, the wireless remote control  50  consisting of the partial glove  70  and speed control wheel  72  along with a watch-type battery  53 . The batteries  61 ,  53  are loaded into the rudder or fin  20  housing  24  and wireless remote control  50  battery compartment  74 , and the caps  23 ,  76  replaced to make the housing  22  and battery compartment  74  watertight.  
         [0065]    Next the rudder or fin  20  housing  22  may be attached to a conventional surfboard  30 , by sliding it into the slot  31  found in most conventional surfboards  30  and tightening the attachment means. The now-motorized surfboard  40  may be placed in the water near shore, and the surfer may climb aboard to paddle out to larger waves.  
         [0066]    Then the electric motor  24  may be turned on to propel the motorized surfboard  40  forward. This is accomplished by using the wireless remote control  50  to send a signal to the motor  24  to drive the propeller  26 . The surfer triggers the motor  24  by turning the speed control wheel  72 . This causes electrical contacts to touch completing a circuit connected to a specific pin of the speed control  54  integrated circuit. The completed circuit causes the remote control transmitter  56  to send out a sequence of electrical pulses. There is preferably a synchronization segment that alerts the receiver  58  to the incoming information, and a pulse segment that conveys the information to the antenna in the receiver  58 . Within the pulse segment are pulse sequences that provide directions to turn the motor  24  on and control its speed.  
         [0067]    The transmitter  56  sends out bursts of radio waves that oscillate at an assigned frequency for this type of device, known as pulse modulation. The AM or FM receiver  58  is monitoring for a signal, that upon being received is converted back into an electrical pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is sent to the electronic speed control  62  integrated circuit. This integrated circuit sends current from the power supply  60  to the motor  24  to make it operate at the appropriate speed. The motor  24  shaft may contain gears on the end of it, rather than connecting directly to the propeller  26  shaft, decreasing the speed but increasing the torque of the propeller  26  giving it an adequate output to operate.  
         [0068]    The motorized surfboard  40  as described herein should provide several hours of intermittent operation being recharging of the battery  61 , and perhaps about one hour of continuous operation per battery charge. The wireless remote control  50  should provide many hours of operation between battery changings. Both the motorized surfboard  40  and wireless remote control  50  have external on/off switches (not shown) that control their power supply.  
         [0069]    While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept. By way of example only, although the preferred embodiment illustrates a kit  10  or conversion of a conventional surfboard  30 , alternatively it could instead be configured with a permanently mounted rudder or fin  20  containing the motor  24 . Although the preferred embodiment has a rudder or fin  20  with integral housing  22  containing the motor  24 , instead it could be a separate housing containing the motor  24  attachable to a conventional rudder or fin, or the underside of a conventional surfboard. Although shown as having a wireless remote control  50 , the remote control could instead be a wired remote control, connected to the motorized surfboard  40  by a wire. The wireless remote control hand wrap  70  with speed control wheel  72  shown could be replaced by a wireless remote control wrist band  80  (FIG. 7) with a simple on/off switch  82  for controlling the motor  24 . The motorized surfboard  40  could easily offer the capability to operate in reverse as well as the forward direction. Although steering is typically accomplished by the surfer leaning to one side of the board or the other, the motorized surfboard  40  could offer wireless steering on a second channel of radio communications, accomplished through a pivotal connection of the motor  24  or some other means. More than one rudder or fin  20  housing a motor  24  could also be attached to a conventional surfboard  30 . Lastly, the receiver  58  antenna could be permanently built into the laminated materials of which conventional surfboards  30  typically are constructed. These are just a few examples of numerous other possible variations of the present invention.