Abstract:
A board carrier ( 100 ) comprising a holder ( 300, 400 ) for holding a plurality of boards; a body ( 200 ) mounting said holder ( 300, 400 ); a plurality of wheels ( 500 ) attached to the body ( 200 ) for contact with a ground surface; and a handle ( 600 ) associated with the body ( 200 ) to move said carrier ( 100 ); wherein the body ( 200 ) is formed from at least two sections ( 210, 220, 230 ), the sections ( 210, 220, 230 ) pivotally connected to each other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   THIS INVENTION relates to a board carrier. In particular, the invention relates to a board carrier that is able to carry a plurality of surfboards or the like and can be stored easily. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The beach is a popular place of rest and recreation for many different groups of people including families. Due to the increasing popularity of surfing, many families have two or more family members that surf. Subsequently, when a family attends the beach, there are usually at least two boards that must be transported to the beach. 
   Most families travel to the beach using a motor vehicle that carries the boards. Once at the beach, the boards are normally taken from the vehicle and carried to the beach. A least one arm is required to carry a board, limiting the number of items that can be carried in a single trip to the beach from a vehicle. This causes a person to make multiple trips from the vehicle to the beach and back again to transport all of the necessary items. 
   Various types of carriers have been developed that may be suitable for carrying boards. For example, FR 2735741-A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,221, CA 2258380 and CH 670 695 disclose handling trolleys that may be able to carry boards. However, these type of board carries are large and unable to be transported easily within a motor vehicle. Further, the handling trolleys are not conducive to operation on a beach. 
   OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, in one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a board carrier comprising: 
   a holder for holding a plurality of boards; 
   a body mounting said holder; 
   a plurality of wheels attached to the body for contact with a ground surface; and 
   a handle associated with the body to move said carrier; 
   wherein the body is formed from at least two sections, the sections pivotally connected to each other. 
   It should be appreciated that the term “board” may incorporate surfboards, body boards or the like wave riding and/or floatation devices. 
   The board carrier may be foldable. Preferably, the board carrier can carry at least five boards. The board carrier may be constructed from rust resistant material. 
   The holder may include two racks. The respective racks may be positioned adjacent opposing ends of the body. The racks may be pivotally mounted to the body. Each rack may include a plurality of fingers that extend outwardly from the body. The width between adjacent fingers may be varied. Each rack may be located on different sections. 
   The body may include a storage area to hold items. Alternately, the body may include a seat or baby capsule. 
   Preferably there are three sections that are pivotally connected to each other. 
   Preferably, there are two wheels. The wheels may be removably attached to the body. Preferably, the wheels are attached to the body so that the board carrier can be pivoted easily with respect to the ground surface. 
   Preferably, the wheels are attached adjacent where sections of the body are pivotally connected. 
   The handle may be attached to the body. The handle may be pivotally attached to the body. The handle may be telescopic to lengthen and/or shorten the handle as is required. 
   Alternatively, the handle may form part of the body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a board carrier according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the board carrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a further perspective view of the board carrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view of the board carrier in an extended position; 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the board carrier in a semi-folded position; 
       FIG. 4C  is a side view of the board carrier in a further semi-folded; 
       FIG. 4D  is a side view of the board carrier in a folded position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 to 3 , a board carrier  100  is shown having a body  200 , a forward rack  300 , a rear rack  400 , two wheels  500  and a handle  600 . 
   The body  200  includes a rear section  210 , a forward section  220  and an extension section  230 . The rear section  210  is pivotally mounted to the forward section  220  and the forward section  220  is pivotally mounted to the extension section  230 . 
   The rear section  210  is formed from two rear side frames  211  that are spaced apart by a rear spacer  212 . The front section  220  is formed from two front side frames  221 . The extension section  230  is formed from two side extension frames  231  that are spaced apart by an extension spacer  232 . 
   A central shaft  213  spaces and allows the front section  210  to pivot relative the rear section  220 . Holes  214  and  224  located in respective front and rear frames  211  and  221  are used to locate a locking pin (not shown) through the frames  211  and  221  to lock the frames  211  and  221  together. 
   The central shaft  213  is also used to attach the wheels  500  to the carrier  100 . The wheels  500  are mounted to axles  510  that are mounted to the central shaft  213 . The axles  510  are attached to the wheels  500  using retaining pins  520 . The axles  510  are located through the frames  211  and  221  using centre spacer  530  and centre bushes  540 . The axles  510  are also located within the centre shaft  213  and mounted to the centre shaft  213  using clips (not shown). 
   The wheels  500  are normally golf buggy wheels and can be constructed from rigid material, such as rubber, or may be inflatable tyres 
   An extension shaft  233  spaces and allows the front section  210  to pivot relative the extension section  230 . Extension shaft stops  234  forms ends of the extension shaft  233 . The extension shaft  233  is mounted to the front frames  221  and extension frames  231  using locking bushes  235 , locking bush pins  236 , and release buttons  237 . The locking bushes  235  are located through the extension frames  231  and fixed to the end of the extension shaft  234 . The locking pins  236  are connected to the release buttons  237  and are placed through the side frames  221  and fixed to the locking bushes  235 . 
   The extension shaft stops  234  prevent the front side frames  221  and extension side frames  233  rotating past each other as both frames  221  and  231  engage the extension shaft stops  234 . 
   Webbing  250  extends over the rear section  210  and forward section  220  to form a seat. The seat can be used to accommodate a small child or carry beach items, such as wetsuits, bags, towels and the like. Alternatively, a baby capsule may be attached to and located between the rear section  210  and forward section  220 . 
   The forward rack  300  is located adjacent the end of the extension section  230  whilst the rear rack  400  is located adjacent an end of the rear section  210 . Each rack  300  and  400  is formed from a number of fingers  310  and  410  that extend from a transverse bar  320  and  420 . The fingers  310  and  410  of each rack  300  and  400  are substantially parallel to one another. A foam sleeve  311  and  411  is located around each of the fingers to prevent the boards from being damaged. Two outer fingers  312  and  412  are also form part of the racks  300  and  400 . 
   The transverse bars  320  and  420  have threaded ends  321  and  421  respectively. The threaded ends  321  and  421  are passed through respective frames  231  and  211 . Bushes  322  and  422  and washers  323  and  423  are located adjacent respective threaded ends  321  and  421 . Split clamps  324  and  424  are located within the locking nuts  325  and  425 . Ends of outer fingers  312  and  412  are located through the locking nuts  325  and  425  and split clamps  324  and  424 . By screwing the locking nuts  325  and  425  onto the threaded ends  321  and  421 , this causes the split clamps  324  and  424  to hold the outer fingers  312  and  412  in position. Further, the locking nuts  325  and  425  also hold the transverse bars  320  and  420  relative to the frames  231  and  211 . 
   The handle  600  comprises a handle grip  630 , a handle shaft  620  and an handle extension shaft  610 . The handle extension shaft  610 , handle shaft  620  and handle extension shaft  610  are attached using suitable fasteners (not shown). The end of the extension shaft  630  is threaded and fits into a handle nut  640  that is located with the transverse bar  320 . A hole  650  allows the handle extension shaft  610  to be passed through the transverse bar  320  to screw the handle extension shaft  610  onto the handle nut  640 . 
   The central shaft  213  is located so that when boards (not shown) are placed on the board carrier  100 , minimal force is required to push the handle  600  downwardly to enable the board carrier  100  to be moved via the wheels  500 . 
   The board carrier  100  shown in this embodiment can carry up to five boards  100 . However, it should be appreciated that the number of fingers  310  and  410  can be varied to carry more or less boards, as is required. 
     FIG. 3  shows the board carrier  100  where the rack  400  has been adjusted to a different angle with respect to the rear section  210 . The rear section  210  has also been adjusted by locating the locking pin in a different hole  214  on the rear frame  211 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A to 4D , the board carrier  100  can be folded so that it can be packed into a bag or located within a vehicle without occupying a substantial amount of space. 
   The board carrier  100  is folded from an extended position shown in  FIG. 4A  to a folded position shown in  FIG. 4D . This board carries is folded by unscrewing the handle extension shaft  610  from the handle nut  640  to remove the handle  600  from the transverse bar  320 . The handle shaft  620  and handle extension shaft  610  can then be separated from each other. 
   The locking nuts  325  and  425  can be partially unscrewed from the transverse bars  320  and  420  to allow the transverse bars  320  and  420  to be rotated relative to extension section  230  and the rear section  210 . The locking pins are removed from the rear side frames  211  and front side frames  221  to allow the rear side frames  211  and the front side frames  221  to pivot with respect to each other. 
   The rear section  210 , front section  220 , extension section  230 , front rack  300  and rear rack  400  are now able to pivot so that they are able to collapse on each other as shown in  FIG. 4D . If desired, the wheels  500  can be removed by releasing the retaining pins. 
   The board carrier  10  can be easily located within a bag of commensurate size or located within a vehicle. The board carrier enables multiple boards and beach items to be carried easily to the beach. It eliminates the need for multiple trips to be conducted and can be operated by a single hand. 
   It should be appreciated that the board carrier  100  may be modified so that it may be attached to a bicycle so that it may be towed. 
   It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.