Abstract:
A circular-shaped hydroplane board with a topside device for safer, more controllable skimming along a beach surface includes: (a) a substantially planar bottom side having a first diameter; (b) a substantially planar top side having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; (c) a curved circular side rail connecting the bottom side to the top side of the hydroplane board; and (d) a curved topside device attached to the top side of the hydroplane board; wherein the hydroplane board has no defined front, rear, left, or right sides. Also included is the topside device itself, which is attachable to a top side of a circular hydroplane board.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to hydroplane boards or skim boards and, more particularly, to a topside rail or bumper structure for a circular hydroplane board for enhanced performance and safety.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information:  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,602, Quinn, issued Jul. 13, 2004 discloses a circular hydroplane board for skimming along a surface at the water&#39;s edge. The circular hydroplane board has a substantially planar bottom side and a substantially planar top side connected by a smoothly curved circular-shaped lower side rail. The diameter of the board&#39;s bottom side is smaller than the diameter of the board&#39;s top side. The hydroplane board is best used for recreational hydroplaning, or skimming, along a beach or other smooth waterfront area.  
         [0005]     In order to use the circular hydroplane board, a user pushes the hydroplane board with his or her foot in a desired direction. Then the user walks, jogs, or runs toward the hydroplane board and jumps onto it while simultaneously exerting forward and downward forces onto the hydroplane board. The transfer of momentum from the user to the hydroplane board and the weight of the user induces hydroplaning. Normally, the circular hydroplane board hydroplanes at a speed much greater than the individual speed of the hydroplane board or user.  
         [0006]     The circular hydroplane board is extremely efficient due to its curved side rail and round periphery. The curved side rail minimizes forward friction, especially during initial contact between the user and the hydroplane board. The round periphery also reduces friction and facilitates forward motion even if the hydroplane board slews or moves in a radial direction.  
         [0007]     However, the force of friction between the user&#39;s feet and the topside of the circular hydroplane board and a layer of water over the hydroplane board&#39;s topside limits the forward force that may be applied to the hydroplane board. If the forward force exceeds the frictional force, the user will likely lose contact with the hydroplane board. This, in turn, limits the acceleration and speed of the combined hydroplane board and user. Second, the radial force that the user may apply to the hydroplane board is restricted. Thus, there is a need for a structural enhancement of the circular hydroplane board, which diminishes or overcomes these limitations.  
         [0008]     The outer edge or perimeter of the circular hydroplane board can be relatively sharp, which poses a potential hazard to bystanders if the user loses control of the hydroplane board. Also, the outer edge of the circular hydroplane board includes no means of shock absorption in the event of a collision between a person or object and the moving hydroplane board. Thus, there is a need for a structural enhancement for the circular hydroplane board in order to reduce the chance and/or severity of injury and absorb shock in any accidental collisions between a person or object and the moving hydroplane board.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is a circular-shaped hydroplane board comprising a topside device attached to the top side of the hydroplane board. Alternatively, the present invention is a topside device for attachment to the top side of a circular hydroplane board, such as a speed rail and/or a bumper that encircles the outer circumference of the top side of a circular skim board. Alternate configurations of these topside devices are also included herein. The topside device of the present invention is a performance and safety enhancement. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail portion and a bumper portion;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a separate speed rail and a bumper;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the circular hydroplane board with topside device according to  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail and a bumper;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a separate speed rail and a bumper;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a bumper;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a topside device according to the present invention, showing a curved rail device;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a topside device according to the present invention, showing bumper segments;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of a combined topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail portion and a bumper portion;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to  FIG. 15 ; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a topside device according to the present invention, showing rail segments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” “within,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described.  
         [0029]     The present invention includes a generally circular-shaped hydroplane, or skim, board  10  comprising a topside device  20 . The circular-shaped hydroplane board  10  has a substantially planar, bottom side  11   a  and a substantially planar, top side  11   b  terminating at an outer edge, or lip  12 . Referring first to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the topside device  20  extends along the topside outer edge  12  of the circular hydroplane board  10 , and defines the periphery of the hydroplane board when viewed from the top of the board (see  FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, the topside device  20  comprises a combined bumper portion  13   a  and speed rail portion  14   a , and extends upwardly from the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board. The bumper portion  13   a  of the combined topside device  20  also extends outwardly from the topside outer edge  12  of the board. The speed rail portion  14   a  extends around the inner side of the bumper portion  13   a.    
         [0030]     The topside device  20  on the circular hydroplane board preferably comprises both a speed rail portion  14   a  and a bumper portion  13   a , which may be combined (into one structure), as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , or separate from one another (see  FIG. 7 ). Alternatively, a circular hydroplane board herein may include either a bumper or a speed rail. The bumper acts as a shock absorber and cushions any impact that occurs between the hydroplane board  10  and another person or inanimate object, such as a rock, a piling, or driftwood lying on a beach. The bumper covers and cushions the outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board. The edge is therefore less likely to chip or crack when it strikes a hard object. If the hydroplane board  10  with its bumper collides with a person, the wide, rounded, soft bumper hits the person rather than the hard outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board. The user or bystander is unlikely to be cut by the soft edge of the hydroplane board bumper. Thus, the topside device  20  prevents injuries.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 4 through 7  depict a hydroplane board with a topside device  30  comprising a bumper  13  along the edge of the hydroplane board, and a separate speed rail  14 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the speed rail  14  comprises a sloped topside rail inner edge  21 , which is in contact with the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board  10 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the arch-shaped speed rail  14  gradually slopes upwardly from the top side  11   b  of the board until it reaches an apex  23 , at which point it gradually slopes downwardly from the apex  23  until it reaches the topside rail outer edge  24 . The topside rail outer edge  24  also contacts the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board  10 . The speed rail  14  is centered on the hydroplane board  10  near its edge. When viewed from the top, the topside rail inner edge  21 , apex  23 , and topside rail outer edge  24  form concentric circles, with the topside rail inner edge  21  as the innermost circle, the topside rail outer edge  25  as the outermost circle, and the apex  23  in the middle (see  FIGS. 4 and 7 ).  
         [0032]     Continuing with  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the bumper  13  is adjacent to the speed rail  14 . The bumper inner edge  15  contacts the top side of the hydroplane board  10 . The bumper inner edge  15  is centered on the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board  10  such that it is encircled by and concentric with the outer edge  12  of the board. The bumper  13  gradually curves upwardly and outwardly from the top side  11   b  of the board. The bumper exposed edge  19  extends beyond the outer edge of the board, and engages the outer edge, or lip,  12  of the hydroplane board  10 , which is preferably flat to facilitate adhesion of the bumper (see  FIG. 6 ). As seen in  FIG. 7 , the bumper  13  obscures the relatively outer edge  12  of the board. The bumper  13  may have a greater height than the speed rail  14 , or vice versa, or they may be approximately the same height as seen in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0033]     As illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  7 , an annular space  26  may exist between the bumper  13  and the speed rail  14 . Alternatively, the speed rail  14  may transition into the bumper  13  without an intervening space.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  depicts a circular hydroplane board with a bumper  13  only. The inner edge  15  of the bumper  13  contacts the circular hydroplane board  10  on the top side  11   b . The outer edge of the bumper  13  extends out over the outer edge  12  of the board. The exposed edge  19  of the bumper  13  gradually curves upwardly from the top side outer edge of the board  12 . At a point approximately above the outer board edge  12 , the apex  17  of the bumper gradually curves downwardly towards the top side  11   b  again, before turning inwardly to meet and engage the hydroplane board  10 . An outer, rounded edge  19  of the bumper  13  obscures the relatively sharp, outer edge  12  of the board, thus protecting bystanders from contact with a loose, flying hydroplane board, and incidentally protecting the hydroplane board from contact with a hard object, such as a rock.  
         [0035]     The bumper  13  is preferably hump-shaped, and extends around the periphery of the hydroplane board. Preferably, the width of the bumper  13 , from the outer, rounded bumper edge  19  to the inner bumper edge  15 , is between about three and about four inches, most preferably about two inches. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the exposed bumper edge  19  is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the top side  11   b  of the board. The bumper is preferably about ¼ inch to one inch in height (above the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board  10 ).  
         [0036]     The topside device  20  is preferably manufactured separately from the hydroplane board  10  and attached thereto using a suitable waterproof adhesive, for example. Alternatively, the topside device  20  and the hydroplane board  10  may be formed from a single piece of material. Where the topside device  20  is separate from the hydroplane board, it may be attached to the board by any conventional means including, but not limited to, glue, adhesive, nails, and screws. The topside device  20  may be made of rubber, wood, or a composite material.  
         [0037]     The speed rail  14  allows the user to exert a greater forward force on the hydroplane board  10  when he/she mounts the hydroplane board  10 , enabling the user to increase forward velocity. In order to use any skim or hydroplane board, the user runs and jumps onto its top side. When the user&#39;s feet contact the top side, his/her forward motion or force (his/her mass×his/her instantaneous acceleration), and therefore his/her instantaneous velocity, is translated to the hydroplane board. However, the user&#39;s ability to maintain contact with the top side limits the forward force and instantaneous velocity. The forward force cannot exceed the maximum frictional force between the user&#39;s feet and the top side of the board. If the forward force exceeds the maximum frictional force, the user loses contact with the hydroplane board. Without meaning to be bound by theory, it is believed that the present topside device  20  removes this maximum frictional force limit.  
         [0038]     It is believed that the topside device  20  is advantageous in that it changes the vector between the user&#39;s feet and the top side  11   b  to an ideal 90 degrees. The topside device  20  directs the user&#39;s forward force vector entirely into the hydroplane board  10 . Thus, a user with a given mass can apply a greater instantaneous velocity to the hydroplane board  10 . Similarly, a user applying a given instantaneous velocity to the hydroplane board  10  may have a greater mass.  
         [0039]     The combined topside device  20  also provides a surface for application of minor radial forces by the user. The device  20  provides a surface for bracing the user against centripetal forces. It provides a surface for off-center application of the user&#39;s forward force vector. This facilitates simultaneous spinning and skimming of the circular hydroplane board.  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows a circular board with a speed rail  14  only. A second annular space  32  lies between the outer edge  12  of the board and the speed rail  14 .  FIGS. 9 through 12  show several possible variations of the speed rail  14 . On the hydroplane board shown in  FIG. 9 , the speed rail device  14  gradually slopes upwardly to the apex  23  and then gradually slopes downwardly to the topside rail outer edge  24 . The speed rail device  14  is generally convex between the topside rail inner edge  21  and the apex  23  and the apex  23  and the topside rail outer edge  24 , respectively. The topside rail inner and outer edges  21  and  24  meet the top side  11   b  at obtuse angles. The speed rail device  14  provides the user with a 90 degree angle for comfortable and secure landings. It allows the user to jump onto the moving hydroplane board without losing his or her balance or overrunning the board. In this position, the rail device allows the hydroplane board to spin when the user is on-board without the board digging into the sand on one side, which could interrupt the ride.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a cliff-shaped speed rail  14   b  gradually slopes upwardly to the apex  23  on one side. The sloped rail accommodates the heel of the user when the hydroplane board with rail device  40  is in use. From the apex  23 , the speed rail  14   b  abruptly slopes downwardly at approximately a ninety (90) degree angle. The speed rail  14   b  is generally convex between the topside rail inner edge  21  and the apex  23 , and generally concave between the apex  23  and the topside rail outer edge  24 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a speed rail  14   c  gradually slopes upwardly from the topside rail inner edge  21  to the apex  23 , and then gradually slopes downwardly to the topside rail outer edge  24 . This provides additional surface area with the board for maximum adhesion. The speed rail  14   c  generally has a constant slope between the topside rail inner edge  21  and the apex  23 , and the apex  23  and the topside rail outer edge  24 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates a speed rail  14   d  that gradually slopes upwardly to the apex  23 . From the apex  23 , the speed rail  14   d  gradually slopes downwardly then abruptly slopes downwardly such that the topside rail outer edge  24  meets the top side  11   b  at about a ninety (90) degree angle. The speed rail  14   d  generally has a constant slope between the topside rail inner edge  21 , and is generally concave between the apex  23  and the topside rail outer edge  24 . The topside rail inner edge  21  meets the top side at an obtuse angle.  
         [0044]     Of course, other variations in the shape of the speed rail  14 ,  14   b - d  are possible. For example, between the topside rail inner edge  21  and the apex  23 , the speed rail  14 ,  14   b - d  may be generally concave, convex, or planar. Between the apex  23  and the topside rail outer edge  24 , the speed rail  14 ,  14   b - d  may be generally concave, convex, or planar. The topside rail inner edge  21  may meet the top side  11   b  at an acute, obtuse, or about ninety (90) degree angle. The topside rail outer edge  24  may meet the top side  11   b  at an acute, obtuse, or approximately a ninety (90) degree angle. The speed rail  14 ,  14   b - d  simply rises from the top side  11   b  to the apex  23  and then falls to encounter the top side  11   b.    
         [0045]     In regard to the hydroplane board itself, the bottom side  11   a  of the hydroplane board  10  has a first diameter that is smaller than a second diameter of the top side  11   b . The first diameter of the circular hydroplane board  10  should suit the size and ability of the user. The second diameter (top side of the hydroplane board) is preferably about one to two inches less than the first diameter. Although the bottom edge of the hydroplane board preferably is tapered, the top side  11   b  of the hydroplane board  10  is preferably not tapered. Smoothly tapered lower side rails  31  connect the bottom side  11   a  of the board to the top side  11   b . The bottom side  11  a of the hydroplane board has a co-efficient of friction between a hydroplaning surface, such as sand, and a layer of water over the hydroplaning surface that is lower than a co-efficient of friction between the top side  11   b  and the user&#39;s feet. The bottom side  11   a  of the board is coated with marine varnish or polyurethane. Preferred embodiments of the hydroplane board  10  have a bottom side diameter of between about one and about two inches less than the top side diameter, and a thickness of about half the difference between the bottom side and top side diameters.  
         [0046]     The hydroplane board  10  is not intended to be towed behind a boat or the like, so the hydroplane board  10  does not comprise a towing means, seating means, or steering means. Rather, the hydroplane board  10  is utilized for personal skim boarding, or hydroplaning, along an edge of a body of water, such as the ocean or lake shore. The hydroplane board is not intended for surfing, and preferably does not include a skeg or any other attachment to the bottom side of the hydroplane board. The bottom side of the instant hydroplane board is smooth so that it skims along on the water.  
         [0047]     The speed rail assists the user in mounting the hydroplane board  10  by providing a visual guide. The user spots the speed rail while he/she is running alongside the moving board, and attempts to place his/her feet directly in front of the speed rail for best operation.  
         [0048]     Alternatively, the present invention is a topside device, such as a speed rail  14  and/or a circular bumper  13 , for attachment to an existing circular hydroplane board  10 . The topside device  30  comprises: 
        1) a curved, flexible speed rail  14  attachable to the top side of the hydroplane board  10 , so that it extends upwardly from the top side of the hydroplane board and is substantially parallel to at least a portion of an outer edge of the circular-shaped hydroplane board, as described hereinabove (see  FIGS. 4-7 ), the speed rail comprising a substantially flat bottom, an arched top, and at least one tapered side, as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 9 ; and/or     2) a malleable bumper  13  attachable to the outer edge of the hydroplane board  10 , the bumper  13  comprising a rounded top  17 , a tapered inside edge  15  and a rounded outer edge  19 , a portion of the bottom (see  35 ) of the bumper being substantially planar (see  FIGS. 1, 4 , and  16 ). The bumper  13  preferably extends beyond the outer edge of the hydroplane board  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to protect the edge of the hydroplane board. At least a portion of the bumper is attachable to the top side of the hydroplane board adjacent to the speed rail  14 .        
 
         [0051]     The speed rail  14  directs the forward force vector entirely into the hydroplane board  10  like the topside device  20 , thus allowing for an increase in instantaneous velocity or mass of the user. Also like the topside device  20 , the bumper  13  shields any innocent bystanders from the relatively sharp, outer edge  12  of the moving hydroplane board  10 . It lessens impact between the moving hydroplane board  10  and any stationary or moving object.  
         [0052]     In order to utilize the hydroplane board  10  with the topside device  20 ,  30 ,  40  of the present invention, the user places the hydroplane board  10  in the shallow water on the beach; pushes the hydroplane board forward; jogs or runs towards the hydroplane board  10 ; and jumps onto the hydroplane board  10 . The user may continually dismount and remount the hydroplane board while hydroplaning along the water&#39;s edge. The user may dismount the hydroplane board  10  when it slows; push and accelerate the hydroplane board  10  in a direction opposite to the dismount while he/she is dismounting; remount the hydroplane board  10 ; and the user may repeat these steps to continually dismount and remount while hydroplaning. Also, the user may further spin the hydroplane board  10  in the shallow water, holding the hydroplane board  10  in place in the water with centripetal force, then pushing the hydroplane board forward. The user may spin the hydroplane board  10  with his or her foot. The topside device of the present invention facilitates these movements.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the speed rail  29  may be curved as shown in  FIG. 13 , rather than ring-shaped as shown attached to a hydroplane board  10  in  FIG. 4 . Advantages of a curved speed rail  29  include the following: 
        1) The curved speed rail  29  serves as a visual aid to show the user where to place his or her feet during the mount; 
 
 It facilitates mounting the hydroplane board when the board is moving, since half the board is free of any speed rail; 
    2) It makes an interesting, circular visual pattern when the user spins the hydroplane board, particularly when the speed rail is brightly colored or swirled; and     3) When the rail is to the side, the curved speed rail facilitates radial motion and forward motion. 
 
 The curved speed rail  29  has a curved topside rail inner edge  21  concentric to its curved topside rail outer edge  24 . The topside rail outer edge  24  is adjacent to the inner bumper edge  15 . The outer bumper edge  19  extends beyond and protects the outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board  12 . The ends  33  of the curved speed rail  29  are tapered to meet the surface of the hydroplane board. 
       
 
         [0057]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the bumper may be segmented as shown in  FIG. 14 , rather than ring-shaped as shown in  FIG. 1 . Although four bumper segments  34  are depicted in  FIG. 14 , there may be more or fewer bumper segments. The outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board is visible between the bumper segments  34 . The bumper segments  34  are attachable to the hydroplane board by peeling a paper tape from an adhesive area  35   a  on the bottom of each bumper segment  34 , or by any other suitable means. Alternatively, the bumper segments  34  may be applied to the board  10  by applying a waterproof adhesive to the edges of the bumper segment and clasping it around the outer board edge  12 , or by any other suitable means. Advantages of a segmented bumper  34  include the following: 
        1) Little bumper material is used;     2) A segmented bumper  34  works as well as a circular bumper  13 , as long as the gaps between the bumper segments are not longer than the bumper segments; and     3) Bumper segments  34  are easy to install on an existing circular hydroplane board. A speed rail  14 ,  14   a - d ,  29  may also be attached to this hydroplane board, if desired, in addition to, or instead of, bumper segments  34  or a bumper  13 . The speed rail may also be comprised of a number of rail segments  29   b  (see  FIG. 17 ).        
 
         [0061]     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a combined topside device  20  comprises a speed rail portion  14   a  and bumper portion  13   a , which are described hereinabove. The speed rail portion  14   a  extends around the inner side of the bumper portion  13   a . The combined topside device  20  is attachable to a circular hydroplane board as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The combined topside device  20  is attachable to a circular hydroplane board  10  by applying a waterproof adhesive to the edges of the combined topside device and pressing it against the outer edge of the hydroplane board, by peeling a paper tape off an adhesive area  35  on the bottom of the topside device  20 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , or by any other suitable means.  
         [0062]     Continuing with  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the bumper portion  13   a  of the combined topside device  20  acts as a shock absorber and cushions any impact that occurs between the hydroplane board  10  and another person or inanimate object, such as a rock, a piling, or driftwood lying on a beach. The bumper portion  13   a  cushions the relatively sharp, outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board, so the edge is less likely to chip or crack when the board strikes a hard object. If the hydroplane board  10  with its bumper collides with a person, the wide, rounded, soft bumper hits the person rather than the relatively sharp, outer edge  12  of the hydroplane board. The topside device  20  prevents injuries. The speed rail portion  14   a  provides the user with an angled foothold for comfortable and secure landings and enhanced control of the hydroplane board. It allows the user to jump onto the moving hydroplane board without losing his or her balance or overrunning the moving board.  
         [0063]     The speed rail  14  is substantially parallel to at least a portion of an outer edge of the circular-shaped hydroplane board, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The speed rail  14  is preferably ring-shaped and of a size sufficient to generally encircle a center of the top side of the hydroplane board  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the two opposite sides of the speed rail are tapered to meet the board, as shown in  FIGS. 6, 9  and  11  (at  21  and  24 ). Where both are employed on a board, the speed rail  14  is parallel to the bumper  13 , and the speed rail  14  and the bumper  13  are both ring-shaped, a diameter of the speed rail being smaller than a diameter of the bumper. The two are preferably made of a flexible waterproof material such as a natural or synthetic rubber.  
         [0064]     In an alternate embodiment, the bumper is a plurality of bumper segments  34 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , each of the bumper segments  34  being attachable to the hydroplane board  10 . The bottom of the bumper segments  34  preferably comprises a waterproof adhesive, so a user can press the bumper segments onto his or her board. Preferably three to six matching segments  34  are employed, with the distance between the segments not exceeding the length of the segments.  
         [0065]     Turning to  FIG. 17 , the speed rail may be comprised of a number of rail segments  29   b , preferably three to five segments  29   b . Each of the rail segments is attachable to the hydroplane board  10 . The bottom of the rail segments  29   b  preferably comprises a waterproof adhesive, so a user can press the rail segments onto his or her board, preferably forming a curved shape on the board, as shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0066]     From the foregoing it can be realized that the described device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized as a hydroplane board topside device for directing forces into the circular hydroplane board of the invention, and/or absorbing forces encountered by the circular hydroplane board. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting.  
         [0067]     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person&#39;s product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.  
       Brief List of Reference Numbers Used in the Drawings  
       [0000]    
       
           10  circular hydroplane board  
           11   a  bottom side of board  
           11   b  top side of board  
           12  topside outer edge of board  
           13   a  bumper portion  
           13  bumper  
           14   a  speed rail portion  
           14   b - d  circular speed rails  
           15  inner bumper edge  
           16  bottom side outer edge of board  
           17  apex of bumper  
           19  outer, rounded bumper edge  
           20  combined topside device  
           21  topside rail inner edge  
           22  inner edge of topside device  
           23  apex of speed rail  
           24  topside rail outer edge  
           26  annular space  
           27  board with bumper  
           29  curved speed rail  
           29   b  speed rail segments  
           30  topside device with bumper and rail  
           31  lower side rails  
           32  second annular space  
           33  ends of speed rail  
           34  bumper segments  
           35  adhesive area on topside device  
           40  board with rail device