Patent Publication Number: US-7901261-B1

Title: Board assembly for kitesurfing and/or kiteboarding

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to board assemblies for kitesurfing and/or kiteboarding. A board assembly for kitesurfing is mono-directional. A board assembly for kiteboarding is bi-directional. During both kitesurfing and kiteboarding, a kite is maneuvered by a person riding the board to propel the board across a supporting surface that is being traversed, such as water. 
     For kitesurfing the board assembly includes an elongated board with foot receptacles, such as straps, socks and/or bindings. A kiteboard includes a composite, wooden, or foam board. Kiteboards come in various shapes and sizes to suit the rider&#39;s skill level, riding style, and wind and water conditions. 
     The foot receptacles are disposed in relation to the ends of the board so that both feet of a person riding the board can face in the general direction of the kite from the person riding the board. Many kiteboards typically include sandal-type foot straps that allow a person to attach and detach from the board easily. 
     A person riding the board steers the board by using his/her legs to point one end of the board in a desired direction and to apply more force against the other end of the board so that the one end of the board rises above the supporting surface that is being traversed to facilitate movement of the board in the desired direction. 
     Kitesurfing boards typically are contoured to define a bow and a stern and include a prominent skeg or a fin, whereby the board moves more readily in the direction in which the bow is pointed. Also, the foot receptacles of kitesurfing boards preferably are disposed in relation to the ends of the board so that one foot receptacle is disposed closer to the stern than the other foot receptacle is disposed toward the bow, so that the difference in the amount of force applied by the legs need not be as large as otherwise would be required in order to maintain the bow above the watery surface. 
     When a kitesurfing board rider desires to reverse the general direction in which the board is moving, he/she maneuvers the kite to stall movement of the board, then reverses the respective disposition of one&#39;s feet in the foot receptacles to thereby change the orientation of one&#39;s feet relative to the bow and stern of the board, and then maneuvers the kite to once again propel the board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a board assembly for kitesurfing and/or kiteboarding, comprising: an elongated board for traversing a supporting surface while a person is riding the board; and apparatus for changing the orientation of the person&#39;s feet relative to the different ends of the board, the apparatus including: a deck rotatably attached to the board; foot receptacles coupled to the deck for simultaneously disposing both of the person&#39;s feet in generally the same direction; and means for facilitating rotation of the deck between different stationary positions relative to the different ends of the board; wherein the means for facilitating rotation facilitate said rotation in response to motion of the person&#39;s feet are within the receptacles and while the board is traversing the supporting surface; and wherein the means for facilitating rotation temporarily lock the deck in one of said stationary positions upon the deck having been rotated to said one of the stationary positions from another of the stationary positions. 
     The present invention also provides a method of changing the orientation of one&#39;s feet relative to the different ends of an elongated board while one is riding the board and the board is traversing a supporting surface, the method comprising the steps of: 
     (a) standing on a deck that is rotatably attached to the board with one&#39;s feet being simultaneously disposed in generally the same direction by foot receptacles attached to the deck; and 
     (b) while one&#39;s feet are within the receptacles, moving one&#39;s feet to cause the deck to rotate between different stationary positions relative to the different ends of the board and thereby change the orientation of one&#39;s feet relative to the different ends of the board; 
     wherein the deck is temporarily locked in one of said stationary positions upon having been rotated to said one stationary position from another of said stationary positions; and wherein step (b) comprises the step of: 
     (c) moving one&#39;s feet in at least one particular motion to cause the deck to be released from said retention in the one of the stationary positions for rotation to another of the stationary positions. 
     The present invention further provides apparatus for changing the orientation of a person&#39;s feet relative to the different ends of a board that is used for traversing a supporting surface while the person is riding the board, the apparatus including: a deck for rotatable attachment to the board; foot receptacles attached to the deck for simultaneously disposing both of the person&#39;s feet in generally the same direction; and means for facilitating rotation of the deck between different stationary positions relative to the different ends of the board; wherein the means for facilitating rotation facilitate said rotation in response to motion of the person&#39;s feet while the person&#39;s feet are within the receptacles and while the board is traversing the supporting surface; and wherein the means for facilitating rotation temporarily lock the deck in one of said stationary positions upon the deck having been rotated to said one stationary position from another of said stationary positions. 
     Other board activities to which the present invention is applicable include wakeboarding, snow boarding and an activity in which a kite is used to propel a board rider across snow. 
     Additional features of the present invention are described with reference to the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kitesurfing board assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , with the deck rotated to a different position than shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged top partially cutaway view of one embodiment of a portion A of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , with the deck in a locked position. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of the partially cutaway view shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged top partially cutaway view of the embodiment of the portion A of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , with the deck in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of the partially cutaway view shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of another embodiment of a kitesurfing board assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top partially cutaway view of a portion B of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 8 , with the deck in a locked position. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of the partially cutaway view shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged top partially cutaway view of the embodiment of the portion B of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 8 , with the deck in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of the partially cutaway view shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of an embodiment of a kiteboard assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the embodiment of the board shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged top partially cutaway view of a portion C of the board assembly shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of the partially cutaway view shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating operation of a portion of the board assembly shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  15  and  16 . 
         FIG. 18  is an end view illustrating operation of a portion of the board assembly shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  15  and  16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , one embodiment of a kitesurfing board assembly according to the present invention includes an elongated board  20  and a deck  21 . The elongated board  20  is adapted for traversing a watery surface while a person is riding the board  20 . A fin  22  is attached to the underside of board  20  near the stern  23  of the board  20 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the stern has a prominent skeg instead of a fin. 
     The deck  21  is rotatably attached to the board  20  so that the deck  21  can be rotated between different stationary positions relative to the stern  23  and the bow  24  of the board  20  while a person is riding the board  20  and the board  20  is traversing a watery surface. The axis of rotation  35  is normal to the lateral and longitudinal axes of the board  20 . A plurality of bearing assemblies  25  supports the deck  21  on the board  20  for rotation of the deck  21  with respect to the board  20 . 
     Foot receptacles  26  are coupled to the deck  21  for simultaneously disposing both of a person&#39;s feet in generally the same direction. In various alternative embodiments, the foot receptacles  26  include straps, bindings, shoes and/or socks. The foot receptacles  26  are coupled to the deck  21  by platforms  28  that are separately rotatable relative to the deck  21 . 
     Apparatus for changing the orientation of a person&#39;s feet relative to the different ends  23 ,  24  of the board  20  while the person is riding the board  20  and the board  20  is traversing a watery surface include the deck  21 , the foot receptacles  26 , the platforms  28  and two devices  29  extending toward the center of the deck from the respective platforms  28  for facilitating rotation of the deck  21  between different stationary positions relative to the stern  23  and the bow  24  of the board. The devices  29  for facilitating such rotation of the deck  21  facilitate such rotation in response to motion of the person&#39;s feet while the person&#39;s feet are within the receptacles  26  and while the board  21  is traversing the watery surface. 
     The devices  29  for facilitating rotation of the deck  21  temporarily lock the deck  21  in one of first and second stationary positions upon the deck  21  having been rotated to one of the first and second stationary positions, as shown in  FIG. 2 , from the other of the first and second stationary positions, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The devices  29  for facilitating rotation of the deck  21  respond to at least one particular motion of the person&#39;s feet by causing the deck  21  to be released from retention in one of the first and second stationary positions for rotation to the other of the first and second stationary positions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , one embodiment of a device  29  for facilitating rotation of the deck  21  includes a locking ring  30  that is common to both of the devices  29 , and a locking bolt  31 , a link  32  and a compression spring  33  that are separately provided in each device  29 . The locking ring  30  is made of plastic and each locking bolt  31  is made of carbon graphite. The locking ring  30  is non-rotatably secured to the board  20  and is centered at the axis of rotation  35  of the deck  21 . 
     The locking bolt  31  is disposed in a recess  37  in the deck  21 . The locking bolt  31  is secured to the deck  21  by a deck bolt  38 . There are retaining slots  40  in the inner edge of the locking ring  30  adjacent the distal ends of the locking bolts  31 . 
     One end of the link  32  is rotatably coupled to the platform  28  by a first link bolt  42  and the other end of the link  32  is rotatably coupled to the locking bolt  31  by a second link bolt  43 . 
     The compression spring  33  is disposed in a channel  45  within the locking bolt  31  between the deck bolt  38  at one end of the channel  45  and an interior edge of the locking bolt  31  at the other end of the channel  45 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 7  show one of the bearing assemblies  25  as being disposed between the deck  21  and the board  20 . A portion of the platform  26  containing a bearing is shown at  47 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  the deck  21  is temporarily retained in a locked position when the distal end of the locking bolt  31  is retained within a slot  40  in the inner edge of the locking ring  30 . In order to cause the deck  21  to be released from the locked position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the person riding the board  20  rotates his feet inward to cause the platforms  26  to rotate in such a manner as to cause the links  32  to compress the compression springs  33  and thereby push the locking bolts  31  out of the slots  40  in the inner edge of the locking ring  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The rider can then use his legs to cause the deck  21  to rotate in a desired clockwise or counter-clockwise direction from one of the first and second stationary positions to the other of the first and second stationary positions. 
     An alternative embodiment includes only one of the devices  29  for facilitating rotation of the deck  21 . However, two such devices  29  are preferred. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12 , another embodiment of a kitesurfing board assembly according to the present invention is generally the same as the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , except that there are retaining slots  49  in the outer edge of the locking ring  30  adjacent the distal ends of the locking bolts  31 , and the locking bolt  31  is secured to the deck  21  by a deck pin  50 , with the compression spring  33  being disposed in the channel  45  within the locking bolt  31  between the deck pin  50  at one end of the channel  45  and an interior edge of the locking bolt  31  at the other end of the channel  45 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  the deck  21  is temporarily retained in a locked position when the distal end of the locking bolt  31  is retained within a slot  49  in the outer edge of the locking ring  30 . In order to cause the deck  21  to be released from the locked position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the person riding the board  20  rotates his feet inward to cause the platforms  26  to rotate in such a manner as to cause the links  32  to compress the compression springs  33  and thereby pull the locking bolts  31  out of the slots  40  in the outer edge of the locking ring  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 , an embodiment of a kiteboard assembly according to the present invention includes an elongated board  60  and a deck  61 . The elongated board  60  is adapted for traversing a supporting surface, such as water or snow, while a person is riding the board  60 . 
     The deck  61  is rotatably attached to the board  60  so that the deck  61  can be rotated between different stationary positions relative to different ends  62 ,  63  of the board  60  while a person is riding the board  60  and the board  60  is traversing the supporting surface. The deck  61  includes structural support members  64 . A plurality of bearing assemblies (not shown) supports the deck  61  on the board  60  for rotation of the deck  61  with respect to the board  60 . 
     Foot receptacles  65  are coupled to the deck  61  for simultaneously disposing both of a person&#39;s feet in generally the same direction. In various alternative embodiments, the foot receptacles  65  include straps, bindings, shoes and/or socks. The foot receptacles  65  are coupled to the deck  61  by platforms  67  that are separately rotatable relative to the deck  61 . 
     Apparatus for changing the orientation of a person&#39;s feet relative to the different ends  62 ,  63  of the board  60  while the person is riding the board  60  and the board  60  is traversing the supporting surface include the deck  61 , the foot receptacles  65 , the platforms  67  and a device  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck  61  between different stationary positions relative to the different ends  62 ,  63  of the board. The device  69  for facilitating such rotation of the deck  61  facilitates such rotation in response to motion of the person&#39;s feet while the person&#39;s feet are within the receptacles  65  and while the board  60  is traversing the supporting surface. 
     The device  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck  61  temporarily locks the deck  61  in one of first and second stationary positions upon the deck  61  having been rotated to the one of the first and second stationary positions from the other of the first and second stationary positions. The device  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck  61  responds to at least one particular motion of the person&#39;s feet by causing the deck  61  to be released from retention in one of the first and second stationary positions for rotation to the other of the first and second stationary positions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , one embodiment of the device  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck  61  includes a pair of locking blocks  70  that are secured to the board  60  at locations that are adjacent the respective opposite ends of the deck  61  when the deck  61  is in a stationary position, and a combination of a locking bolt  71  extending from one side of a locking cam  72  and a link  73 , which is coupled to one of the platforms  67 . The locking block  70  is made of plastic and the locking bolt  71  is made of carbon graphite. Each locking block  70  includes a slot  75  and ramps  76  that extend upward to the lateral edges of the slot  75  from the opposing edges of the locking block  70 . 
     The locking cam  72  is disposed for movement within a recess  77  in the deck  61 . One end of the link  73  is rotatably coupled to the platform  67  by a first link pin  79  and the other end of the link  73  is rotatably coupled to the locking cam  72  by a second link bolt pin  80 . 
     One of the foot receptacles  65  is fastened to the platform  67  by a pair of bolts  81 . The platform  67  is mounted on the deck  61  by a bearing  83 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , while the deck  61  is being rotated to one of the stationary positions, when the locking bolt  61  reaches one of the ramps  76  on the locking block  70 , the locking bolt  71  climbs the ramp  76 ; and upon reaching a position over the slot  75  in the locking block  70 , flexure of the locking cam  72  causes the locking bolt  71  to fall into the slot  75  in order to temporarily retain the deck  61  in a locked position. 
     In order to cause the deck  61  to be released from the locked position, the person riding the board  60  rotates his feet inward to cause the platforms  67  to rotate in such a manner as to cause the locking bolt  71  to be pulled out of the slots  75  so that the rider can then use his legs to cause the deck  61  to rotate in a desired clockwise or counter-clockwise direction from one of the first and second stationary positions to the other of the first and second stationary positions. 
     An alternative embodiment includes two of the devices  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck  61 ; wherein a combination of the locking bolt  71  extending from one side of the locking cam  72  and the link  73  is coupled to each of the platforms  67 . 
     In other alternative embodiments one or two of the devices  29  for facilitating rotation of the deck can be used in a kiteboard and one or two of the devices  69  for facilitating rotation of the deck can be used in kitesurfing board. 
     The benefits specifically stated herein do not necessarily apply to every conceivable embodiment of the present invention. Further, such stated benefits of the present invention are only examples and should not be construed as the only benefits of the present invention. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these specificities are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the present invention, but rather as examples of the preferred embodiments described herein. Other variations are possible and the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the embodiments described herein but rather by the claims and their legal equivalents.