Patent Publication Number: US-2013252494-A1

Title: Kiteboard handle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority U.S. Application No. 61/613,202, having a filing date of Mar. 20, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a handle system for surfboards and more particularly a handle system for surfboards used in kiteboarding. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A number of difficulties can arise when surfers become separated from their surfboards. For example, the board may travel some distance from the surfer, requiring the surfer to swim a considerable distance to retrieve the board. This can be inconvenient or even dangerous if the surfer becomes fatigued and is located a far distance from shore. Further, the surfer may be unable to find the board, resulting in the inconvenience and expense of a lost board in addition to the difficulty of having to swim back to shore without a board. Further still, the loss of a surfboard in a group of other surfers can result in collisions between the uncontrolled board and other surfers and/or their boards. This can cause injury to other surfers as well as damage to any surfboards involved in such collisions. 
     To address these difficulties, surfers have used surfboard leashes. These leashes typically have a length that is approximately as long as or slightly longer than the board on which the leashes are used. One end of the leash typically attaches to the board, for example, by a loop or leash cord whereby the leash is looped around or through a metal bar or plugs that is part of the surfboard. The other end of leash may be attached to the surfer&#39;s ankle by a sleeve, loop, strap or ring that is typically secured by a hook and loop connection to the leash. Such hook and loop connections help keep the leash securely attached to both the board and the surfer, while still allowing for convenient removal. Some leashes also employ an additional quick release mechanism to free the surfer from the board in case of emergency. Swivel connections may also be used at each end of the leash to help minimize kinking, twisting, or coiling of the leash. Conventional surfboard leashes are available in a variety of lengths and diameters. 
     Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is an activity whereby a kite or other parachute like sail is used to harness wind power to propel a surfer that is standing on a surfboard, kiteboard, or other similar type of board.  FIGS. 1-3  depict scenes of persons kiteboarding. Kitesurfers or kiteboarders are also known as kiters. The kiter holds onto a handle bar that is attached to the kite or sail, and the sail pulls the kiter while the kiter balances the kiteboard beneath his or her feet. In some situations, while a kiter is kiteboarding, the kiter may lose his or her balance and/or the sail may start to pull the kiter in a direction that makes the kiter uncomfortable, or in a direction that the kiter physically cannot manage. In these situations, the kiter may fall from the board, or the kiter may intentionally abandon the handle bar and sail in an effort to soften his or her fall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several features and advantages are described in the following disclosure, in which several embodiments are explained, using the following drawings as examples. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a scene of a person kitesurfing using a kiteboard. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a scene of a person kitesurfing using a kiteboard. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a scene of a person kitesurfing using a kiteboard. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, whereby the kiteboard handle is attached to one example of a kiteboard, surfboard or similar equipment. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, whereby the kiteboard handle is attached to one example of a kiteboard, surfboard or similar equipment. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an illustration of a person kitesurfing using a kiteboard and a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an illustration of a person utilizing a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional surfboard leashes may be unsuitable or even dangerous for use in kiteboarding applications, such as strapless kitesurfing. For example, if the surfer and board become separated, and the board is driven in a direction opposed to the direction the wind is pulling the kite or sail, the surfer could suddenly be in danger. Some kitesboarders have used conventional surfboard leashes (for example those that include an ankle strap) in the same manner as surfers would use such surfboard leashes on a regular surfboard, and some kiteboarders that have been separated from their boards have experienced a phenomena where the surfboard leash becomes taught and then catapults the surfboard at the kiter. For example, in some incidences, the surfboard has catapulted into the back of a kiter&#39;s head. These types of accidents have resulted in serious injury to kiters and several deaths. Even the quick release mechanisms implemented by some surfboard leashes have proven to be ineffective to cure this problem. This is one of the reasons why, increasingly, surfboard leashes are discouraged for kitesurfing activities. 
     Because of the dangers of using surfboard leashes for kiteboarding, many kiteboarders have chosen to go without a leash while kiteboarding. However, if the kiteboarder has no means to stay in contact with his or her board, there are risks that the kiter may become separated from his or her board, which results in problems, as explained above. Even a relatively small wave can take a kiteboard and surf it to shore or away from the kiter, where the board may be lost, damaged, and/or cause injury or damage to others or the property of others. Some objectives of the present disclosure include providing a number of solutions to the foregoing problems, improving the performance of surfing and kiteboarding equipment, enhancing the enjoyment of surfers and kiteboarders, reducing the risk of injury, and reducing the risk of property damage or loss. 
     The present disclosure describes a kiteboard handle  10 . The kiteboard handle may be used on kiteboards, surfboards as well as other recreational water boards or similar equipment.  FIGS. 1-3  depict scenes of persons kitesurfing using kiteboards, and the kiteboards shown in these scenes are examples of boards upon which the solutions of the present disclosure may be applied.  FIGS. 5 and 6  show other examples of boards upon which the solutions of the present disclosure may be applied. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an illustration of a kiteboard handle  10 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The kiteboard handle  10  includes a line segment  20  and an attachment segment  30 . The line segment  20  and the attachment segment  30  may have various lengths depending on the size of the board, the type of attachment means provided by the kiteboard, the preference of the kiteboarder, as well as other factors. In one example, depicted in  FIG. 4 , the line segment  20  is approximately 9 inches in length and the attachment segment is approximately 3 inches in length, such that the total length of the kiteboard handle  10  is 12 inches. 
     The line segment  20  of the kiteboard handle  10  may be composed of a variety of materials, such as cord, line, rope, yarn, nylon, fabric or other fiber or synthetic materials. In one example, the line segment  20  is composed of polyester urethane, otherwise referred to as simply urethane. In another example, a material such as “spectra” or braided fishing line may be used. The diameters of the various materials, to the extend they have a substantially cylindrical shape, may vary as well. 
     Additionally, line segment  20  may be constructed in a variety of manners, such as by braiding, weaving or twisting strands of material, or simply by reinforcing the line segment with several strands or thicker strands of material. Another name for braided or woven strands of material is “sennit.” It should be understood that the braids, twists, or reinforced lines need not be composed of only one type of material. Although the line segment  20  could be composed of only one type of material, it may be composed of two or more types of material. In one example, the line segment  20  is braided from two or more strands of material. In another example, the line segment  20  is braided from two or more stands of urethane material. 
     In other embodiments, the line segment  20  may be formed from a cable, for example, a stainless steel cable. The line segment  20  may be formed from a cable, for example, if it is expected that the kiteboard handle  10  may experience high tension. It should be understood also that it may be preferred to not use cable if the flexibility of the kiteboard handle is a greater concern. The cable of a line segment may be wrapped or coated in a material (such as plastic, fabric, rope, etc.), and this wrapping or coating may provide grip and/or it may prevent the kiteboard handle  10  form scratching or marring the kiteboard. 
     In some embodiments, the line segment  20  may be constructed so that it is a high enough density so that it does not float, thus helping to keep the kiteboard handle  10  out of the kiter&#39;s way. Increasing density in the cable such that it does not float reduces the risks of the cable becoming entangled with the surfer during surfing. In certain embodiments, where the material used for the line segment  20  may have a density such that it floats, a weight or weights sufficient to allow the cable to sink may be distributed either uniformly or non-uniformly along the length of the line segment  20 . 
     In other embodiments, however, it may be desirable that the kiteboard handle  10  floats. For example, a floating kiteboard handle may be easier for the kiter to see and/or grasp if he or she should suddenly become separated from the kiteboard. Thus, in certain embodiments, the line segment  20  may be constructed from a material that has a low enough density such that it floats. Alternatively or in addition, the line segment  20  may include floatable components, such as bobbers, foam parts, air-filled parts, and the like sufficient to keep part or all of the kiteboard handle  10  at or near the surface of the water, its lengthy lying either uniformly or non-uniformly along the surface of the water. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the line segment  20  may be further comprised of a grip segment  22 , a knot segment  24 , connector segment  26 , and/or any combination of these parts. The grip segment  22  is typically the longest segment of the line segment  20 , typically makes up a central portion of the line segment  20 , and typically features the materials and construction manners discussed above. The grip segment may include a gripping surface to facilitate grasping and to provide improved grip. For example, the grip segment may include a braided portion extending substantially or entirely along its length. In other embodiments, the gripping surface may extend along only a part of the grip segment, or, as another example, along discontinuous segments of the intermediate portion. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate portion could comprise a gripping surface including bumps or projections, knurling, and/or other features or textures to improve grip, and perhaps improve they appearance and style of the kiteboard handle. In one example, the grip segment  22  is composed of at least two strands of material, a ⅛ inch strand and a ⅜ inch strand, braded together to form a line sennit for grip. 
     The grip segment  22  generally has an elongate body configured to provide a convenient surface for grasping. The grip segment  22  is the location where a kiteboarder will generally grasp the kiteboard handle  10 , at least initially. Preferably, the grip segment  22  is sized to provide enough length so that it is easily locatable and graspable should a surfer become separated from a kiteboard, but short enough so that it does not get in the way, become tangled with the surfer, or result in too much drag while surfing. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the grip segment may be about 9 inches long. In other embodiments, for example, the length of the grip segment may vary depending on the size of the board, the type of attachment means provided by the kiteboard, the preference of the kiteboarder, as well as other factors. 
     The knot segment  24  is typically located at the opposite end of the line segment  20  as the end that attaches to the kiteboard. The knot segment is typically relatively short in length compared to the grip segment  22 , and typically has a knob portion that has a larger diameter than the grip segment  22 , forming the general shape of a knob, knot, ball, or other spherical shape. In one example, knob portion of the knot segment  24  has a diameter of about 1 inch, and in another example it has a diameter of about 2 inches. It should be understood that other diameters may be used in other embodiments. The knot segment  24  may also include a gripping surface, for example, a braided or a textured surface. If the knot segment is formed from the same pieces of material as the grip segment  22 , or even if the knot segment is formed from different pieces, the materials and surfaces of the knot segment may include those described above for the line segment  20  and the grip segment  22 . 
     The knot segment may be useful if a kiteboarder&#39;s hand slips or slides down the length of the grip segment. In this situation, the knot segment  24  may prevent the kiteboarder&#39;s hand from sliding off the end of the kiteboard handle  10  altogether. Additionally, the knot segment  24  may serve as a larger more obvious shape that a kiteboarder may grasp initially. The knot segment  24  may be formed in a variety of manners. For example, it could be formed by tying the end of the grip segment  22  into a knot, or it could be formed by wrapping separate segment of material around the end of the grip segment. 
     The connector segment  26  is typically located at the opposite end of the line segment  20  as the end that includes the knot segment. The connector segment  26  connects the line segment  20  of the kiteboard handle  10  to the attachment segment  30 . The connector segment  26  may be braided or twisted similar to the grip segment. It should be understood that the connector segment  26  may or may not be a discrete piece of the kiteboard handle  10 . In some embodiments, the connector segment is braided or twisted from the some or all of the same material that makes up the grip segment. In some embodiments the connector segment  26  and the attachment segment  30  are each made up of some or all of the same material that makes up the grip segment. For example, one piece of material could be woven through the grip segment, continuing through the connector segment  26 , and then continuing to form all or part of the attachment segment. In other embodiments, the attachment segment is not composed of the same pieces of material as the grip segment or the connector segment, in which case the connector segment may attach, loop, tie, or otherwise connect to the attachment segment. 
     The kiteboard handle  10  may also include an attachment segment  30 . In some embodiments, the attachment segment  30  may be composed of a variety of materials, such as cord, line, rope, yarn, nylon, fabric, or other fiber or synthetic material. In one example, the attachment segment  30  is composed of polyester urethane, otherwise referred to as simply urethane. In another example, a material such as “spectra” or braided fishing line may be used. The diameters of the various materials, to the extend they have a cylindrical shape, may vary as well. In another example, the attachment segment  30  is composed of a ⅛ inch line. In other embodiments, the attachment segment  30  may be composed of one or more durable materials such as materials that are somewhat stiff, hard, weather resistance, and/or water resistant. For example, the attachment segment  30  may be composed of one or more materials such as plastic, wire, aircraft cable or other cable, and the like. 
     Additionally, attachment segment  30  may be constructed in a variety of manners, such as by braiding, weaving or twisting strands of material, or simply by reinforcing the line segment with several strands or thicker strands of material. It should be understood that the braids, twists, or reinforced lines need not be composed of only one type of material. Although the attachment segment  30  could be composed of only one type of material, it may be composed of two or more types of material. In another example, the attachment segment  30  is braided from two or more stands of urethane material. In another example, the attachment segment  30  is composed of a single strand of urethane material. 
     The attachment segment may or may not be composed of pieces of the same material that make up the grip segment  22  and/or the connector segment  26 . For example, one piece of material could be woven through the grip segment, continuing through the connector segment  26 , and then continuing to form all or part of the attachment segment  30 . In other embodiments, the attachment segment  30  is not composed of the same pieces of material as the grip segment or the connector segment, in which case the connector segment may attach, loop, tie, or otherwise connect to the attachment segment  30 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the attachment segment  30  and/or the line segment  20  are designed in a manner as to not to mar, scratch or mark the kiteboard. For example, one or more segments may be composed of materials that naturally are not prone to marking such as rope, yarn and the like. Alternatively or additionally, one or more segments may include a soft wrapping that wraps the inner material of the attachment segment. For example, if the inner material of the attachment segment  30  is wire, the wire may be wrapped in a soft material such as cloth, rope, yarn, or other fabric or material, so that the board is not scratch or marred. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the attachment segment  30  and/or the line segment  20  are designed to be flexible, elastic and/or extendable so that the kiteboard handle  10  can stretch when kiter grasps the kiteboard handle  10 . Flexibility in the kiteboard handle  10  may be beneficial if the kiter grasps a kiteboard handle  10  that is attached to a kiteboard that is moving away from the kiter at a relatively fast speed. In certain embodiments, the rigidity, or lack of elasticity, along the length of the kiteboard handle  10  can potentially result in a sudden loading, or pull, on the arm and/or shoulder of a kiter when the kiter is separated from the board and grasps the kiteboard handle  10 . In this situation, the flexibility in the kiteboard handle  10  may prevent the kiter&#39;s arm from being jerked as suddenly as it may be jerked if the kiteboard handle did not flex or extend, and the flexibility may prevent the kiter from hyper extending his or her shoulder or elbow, preventing or reducing injury to the kiter. 
     In some embodiments, the kiteboard handle  10  may include a shock absorber, or other piece that functions to extend, contract, or flex. The elasticity provided by the shock absorber may allow the pull of the kiteboard handle  10  to be felt more gradually by the kiter and may reduce the risk of discomfort and/or injury that could be caused by a sudden pull. The shock absorber may be formed by a spring or a series of loops that may be partially or more completely straightened, whereby the loops return to substantially their original bent position when the pull is removed. The shock absorber may have a protective surface or coating to prevent potential damage to the board. For example, in some embodiments, the shock absorber is formed from stainless steel having a plastic sleeve or coating. The shock absorber is preferably sized and configured to have a desired resiliency, to provide some “give” so that a surfer does not experience an overly sudden loading, but also to minimize the danger of a board springing back too quickly at a surfer. Other types of shock absorbers may be used as well, including those made of elastic materials such as rubber. 
     Alternatively, in some embodiments, it may be beneficial or desired that the line segment  20  have limited or no flexibility, elasticity or extendibility. For example, by making the cable thinner, lower drag may be achieved. Additionally, increased rigidity in the cable may reduce the risk of tangling or coiling. Thus, in some embodiments, the attachment segment  30  and/or the line segment  20  may be substantially rigid or substantially non-elastic such that it is resistant to stretching. For example, a cable made of a similar design to “spectra” or braided fishing line may have a maximum stretch of about 3%. 
     Some example kiteboards will include a connection assembly for attaching the kiteboard handle  10  to the kiteboard.  FIGS. 5 and 6  depict illustrations of a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, whereby the kiteboard handle is attached to one example of a kiteboard, surfboard or similar equipment. In these examples, the kiteboard includes one example of a connection assembly  40 , such as a loop, strap or a flexible ring that may interlock with the attachment segment  30  of the kiteboard handle  10 . Although  FIGS. 5 and 6  show one example of a connection assembly on a kiteboard, the present disclosure contemplates a kiteboard handle  10  that is capable of interfacing with various types of kiteboard attachment means. For example, the kiteboard assembly  40  may include a ring, loop, strap, hole, bar, indentation, cup, plug or other means by which the attachment segment  30  of the kiteboard handle  10  may attach to the kiteboard. In another example, the kiteboard handle may attach to the kiteboard by way of an adhesive, clamp, or some other means that is not permanently part of the kiteboard. In certain embodiments, the board connection assembly  70  may include a quick release system, which allows a surfer to pull on the quick release system to quickly release the leash system from the board. 
     In operation, the kiteboard handle  10 , as described in one or more embodiments above, trails from the rear of the kiteboard as the kiteboard and the kiter move through the water.  FIG. 7  depicts an illustration of a person kitesurfing using a kiteboard and a kiteboard handle, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  shows one example configuration of how the kiteboard handle  10  may attach to the kiteboard and how it may trail from a kiteboard. The kiteboard handle  10  preferably trails the kiteboard in such a way that it does not interfere with the kiter as he or she kitesurfs. 
     In some situations, while a kiter is kiteboarding, the kiter may lose his or her balance and/or the sail may start to pull the kiter in a direction that makes the kiter uncomfortable, or in a direction that the kiter physically cannot manage. In these situations, the kiter may fall from the board, or the kiter may intentionally abandon the handle bar and sail in an effort to soften his or her fall. As the kiter falls into the water, he or she can grab the kiteboard handle  10  before the waves wash the kiteboard away from the kiter.  FIG. 8  depicts an illustration of a person that was kitesurfing but became separated from the kiteboard. When a person falls from a kiteboard, the kiteboard is likely to keep moving in a forward direction. Additionally, when a person falls into the water, that person&#39;s natural reaction may be to grasp for something to hold onto, or a more experienced kiter may be trained to immediately locate the kiteboard handle  10  when he or she abandons the sail/handle bar. Because the kiter may be grasping when he or she falls, and because the kiteboard may be traveling away from the person, the trailing kiteboard handle  10  is located in a convenient location for the person to grasp it quickly. 
     When a kiter finds himself in the water, grasping for the kiteboard handle  10 , the kiter&#39;s hand may initially grasp the grip segment  22 . If the kiter is unable to maintain a secure hold on the kiteboard handle  10  by grasping the grip segment  22  alone, his or her hand may slide down the length of the grip segment  22  and eventually contact the knot segment  24 . Preferably, the knot segment will prevent the kiter&#39;s hand from sliding completely off the end of the kiteboard handle  10 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts another version of a kiteboard handle  50 , according to one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure. The kiteboard handle  50  may include a handle bar  52 , a neck segment  54 , a base  56 , and an adhesive portion  58 . The kiteboard handle  50  attaches to a top surface of a surfboard or kiteboard, near the rear of the board, by way of the adhesive portion  58 , for example. The base  56  provides the kiteboard handle  50  with a wide connecting surface that allows sufficient surface area for the kiteboard handle  50  to connect to the surfboard. The wide base  56  may also provide sufficient structural support to the kiteboard handle  50  which may be jerked around if a kiter grasps for it. The base  56  tapers into the neck segment  54 . The neck segment  54  may have a generally curved cylindrical shape and serves to extend the handle bar  52  upwards and outwards away from the surfboard so that a surfer or kiter may quickly grasp the handle bar  52  should they fall from the board and grasp for the kiteboard handle  50 . The handle bar  52  may have a general cylindrical shape and provides a prominent structure that the grasping hand of a kiter will ideally contact even if the kiter is unable to precisely target the handle bar. 
       FIG. 10  depicts another version of a kiteboard handle  60 , according to one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure. The kiteboard handle  60  may include a handle bar  62 , a neck segment  64  and a collar portion  66 . In these embodiments, the kiteboard handle  60  may be formed or molded as part of the kick pad  68  of a surfboard or kiteboard. The kiteboard handle  60  generally protrudes backwards and upwards from the rear of the kick pad  68 . The collar portion  66  is located between the kiteboard handle  60  and the rest of the kick pad  68 , and may serve as a barrier between the kiteboard handle  60  and the rest of the kick pad  68 . For example, the collar portion  66  could be adapted to prevent a kiter&#39;s foot from sliding backwards beyond the rear portion of the kick pad  68 . It should be understood, however, that the collar portion  66  may also smoothly transition into the neck segment  64  without including any sort of ridge or barrier. The collar portion  66  may also be formed to be thicker and more solid than the rest of the kick pad such that the collar portion  66  provides sufficient structural support to the kiteboard handle  60  which may be jerked around if a kiter grasps for it. The collar portion  66  tapers into the neck segment  64 . The neck segment  64  may have a generally curved cylindrical shape and serves to extend the handle bar  62  upwards and outwards away from the surfboard so that a surfer or kiter may quickly grasp the handle bar  62  should they fall from the board and grasp for the kiteboard handle  60 . The handle bar  62  may have a general cylindrical shape and provides a prominent structure that the grasping hand of a kiter will ideally contact even if the kiter is unable to precisely target the handle bar. 
     Regarding both the embodiments of  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , in operation, when a kiter finds himself falling from the board or in the water, grasping for the kiteboard handle ( 50  or  60 ), the kiter&#39;s hand may initially contact the handle bar ( 52  or  62 ) or the neck segment ( 54  or  64 ) or the kiter&#39;s hand may contact some location in front of the kiteboard handle more toward the front of the board. If the kiter&#39;s hand initially contacts the handle bar, ideally the kiter can quickly adjust his grip and grasp some portion of the handle bar. If the kiter&#39;s hand initially contacts the neck segment or some other location of the board, ideally the kiter&#39;s hand will slide rearward along the board of the neck segment until the kiter&#39;s hand can grasp the handle bar. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore, the appended claims that define the true spirit and scope of the invention.