Patent Publication Number: US-7708612-B2

Title: Leash and information system assembly for a water sport vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a leash and information system assembly for a water sport vehicle (for example, a surfboard, boogie board, sail board, or personal watercraft) to tether the water sport vehicle to the user and to provide the user with real-time, historical and/or forecast information during use of the water sport vehicle. 
   2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
   Leashes are used to tether surfboards, boogie boards, and sail boards to a user&#39;s wrist or ankle when in use on the water. The tether can keep the board within reach of the user when the user falls off the board while on the water. 
   Leashes are also used to activate a safety switch for personal watercraft. One end of the tether is attached to the user&#39;s wrist and the other end of the tether is connected to safety switch. When a user falls off the personal watercraft with the leash properly attached to the user&#39;s wrist and to the personal watercraft, the safety switch can be activated to maintain the personal watercraft within a reasonable swimming distance of the user. 
   Often a water sport vehicle user will need access to information such as time, atmospheric weather conditions, water conditions, and global positioning. The user must carry a separate device(s) in order to have access to this information. However, a separate device(s) can be cumbersome or otherwise intrusive on the user&#39;s water sport experience. 
   Therefore, there remains a need for a leash for a water sport vehicle that can also provide the user with real-time, historical, and/or forecast information without undue intrusion on the user&#39;s experience with the water sport vehicle. 
   SUMMARY 
   One of numerous aspects of the present invention includes a leash and an information assembly. The leash connects a water sports vehicle to a user of the water sports vehicle and includes a flexible strap, a flexible tether cord. The flexible strap has a width and a length and is configured and dimensioned to releasably connect to the user. The flexible tether cord has a first end, a second end, a width, and a length. The first end is connected to the flexible strap and the second end is configured and dimensioned to connect to the water sports vehicle. The tether cord width is substantially less than the strap width and the tether cord length is substantially greater than the strap length. The information system includes a data processing module, and a display module. The data processing module is mounted within a water-proof enclosure and positioned along one of the flexible strap, the flexible tether cord, and the water sports vehicle. The data processing module is configured with logic to receive, parse, process, and output data generated by a source external to the data processor. The display module is mounted within a water-proof enclosure and positioned along the flexible strap and in electrical communication with the data processing module. The display module includes a plurality of display symbols representing at least one of time, atmospheric weather conditions, water conditions, and global positioning. The display module is configured with logic to receive, process data communicated from the data processing module to convey the data to the user by activating at least one of the display symbols. 
   Still other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a leash and information system for a water sport vehicle in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an information system in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , an assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention can include a leash  20  and an information system  30 . The leash  20  can include a flexible strap  22  and a flexible tether cord  24  connected to the flexible strap  22 . The flexible strap  22  can be configured and dimensioned to releasably connect to the user of the water sport vehicle in any manner known in the art. The flexible tether cord  24  can be configured and dimensioned to connect to the water sport vehicle in any manner known in the art. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each of the flexible strap  22  and the flexible tether cord  24  can have a length and a width. Preferably, the width of the flexible tether cord  24  can be substantially less than the width of the flexible strap  22  and the length of the flexible tether cord  24  can be substantially greater than the length of the flexible strap  22 . 
   As schematically represented in  FIG. 2 , the information system  30  can include a data processing module  32  and a display module  34 . The data processing module  32  can be configured with logic in any manner known in the art to obtain data from an external source (for example, a radio broadcast, Bluetooth transmission, SMS text messaging, portable memory device, and hardwired input port), process the data, and output the data to the user in a readily legible manner. The data can represent time, atmospheric weather conditions, water conditions, and/or global positioning. The time data can include year, month, day, hour, minute, second, elapsed time, alarm settings, etc. The atmospheric weather condition data can include air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, cloud condition, humidity, pressure, daily forecast, etc. The water condition data can include water temperature, speed of the water current, direction of the water current, tide type, tide time, wave height, etc. The global positioning data can include geographic location, surfing location(s), beach location(s), traffic conditions, map directions, street maps, etc. The data can represent real-time data, historical data, and/or forecast data. Additionally, the data processing module  32  can be configured with logic to store the received data and process the data into an historical representation. 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the data processing module  32  can include an input  36  to receive data from any external source in any manner known in the art. For example, the input can be an antenna to receive data broadcast over a Radio Data System standard and can be configured logic with logic to process the broadcast data. The antenna can be internally integrated with the data processing module such as in a wireless laptop computer. Alternatively, the input  36  can be an input port to receive data from a portable memory device, computer, etc. 
   The display module  34  can be in electrical communication with the data processing module. The electrical communication (indicated by line  38 ) between the data processing module  32  and the display module  34  can be provided by a wireless connection or by a wired connection. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the display module  34  can include a display screen  40 . The display screen  40  can be a multifunctional digital display screen, such as a conventional digital wrist watch display, an LCD, or LED display. The display screen  40  can include a plurality of display symbols  42  that can represent the time, atmospheric weather conditions, water conditions, and/or global positioning data. The display symbols  42  can form a number(s), letter(s), word(s), and/or icon(s) that represent the data in a manner readily understandable by the user. The display module  34  can be configured with logic in any manner known in the art to receive and process the data communicated from the data processing module  32  and to convey the data to the user by activating/deactivating an appropriate one(s) of the display symbols  42 . 
   The data processing module  32  and the display module  34  can be positioned at any location on the leash  20  separately as individual components or together as an integrated component. The position of the data processing module  32 , including integration of the data processing module  32  with the display module  34 , can be determined based on weight, size, complexity, functionality, and/or accessibility by the user while minimizing intrusion on user&#39;s the enjoyment of water sport vehicle. Preferably, the display module  34  can be positioned on the flexible strap  22 . 
   Preferably, the information system  30  can be integrated with the leash  20  in such a manner that the presence of the information system  30  is unnoticeable to the user until the user consciously chooses to acknowledge the presence of the information system  30 . For example, the sum of the weights of the data processing module  32  and the display module  34  can be approximately less than sum of the weights of the flexible strap  22  and the flexible tether cord. Thus, the user can obtain useful and/or essential information relevant to the water sport activity without intrusive effect from a device(s) additional to the leash  20 , such as a wrist watch, hand-held radio, or hand-held global positioning system. 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the data processing module  32  (not visible) and the display module  34  (only the display screen  40  is visible) can be integrated into a single component and positioned on the flexible strap  22 . Preferably, the data processing module  32  and the display module  34  can be in electrical communication via a wired electrical connection or a circuit board assembly. 
   In an embodiment of the information system  30  where the data processing module  32  and the display module  34  are separate and distinct components, the display module  34  can be positioned at a location on the flexible strap  22  and the data processing module  34  can be positioned at one of three different localities. That is, the data processing module  34  can be positioned at a location on the flexible strap  22  separate and spaced from the display module  34  location, at a location on the flexible tether cord  24 , or at a location on the water sport vehicle. If the data processing module  32  is positioned on the flexible tether cord  24  or on the water sport vehicle, an electrical wire(s) can be encapsulated within the flexible tether cord  24  and/or the flexible strap  22  to electrically connect the display module  34  to the data processing module  32 . 
   Preferably, the modules  32 ,  34  can be mounted within a water-proof enclosure. Each module  32 ,  34  can be mounted in a respective water-proof enclosure or a single water-proof enclosure can contain both modules  32 ,  34 . The water-proof enclosure can be secured to the leash  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the leash  20  can include a water-proof enclosure in the form of a water-proof housing  26 . The data processing module  32  (not visible) and the display module  34  (only the display screen  40  is visible) can be mounted within the water-proof housing  26 . 
   The housing  26  can be configured and dimensioned to be complimentary to the shape of a user&#39;s wrist or ankle. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the housing  26  can include a curved inner surface  26   a  and a curved outer surface  26   b . Alternatively, the housing  26  can include flat inner and outer surfaces. 
   The water-proof housing  26  can include a window opening  28 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the window opening  28  can be curved in a complimentary manner to the curvature of the housing outer surface  26   b . The display module  32  can be mounted within the housing  26  with the display screen  40  in alignment with the window opening  28 . 
   The information system  30  can also include at least one button  44  in electrical communication with either one or both of the data processing module  32  and the display module  34 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , three buttons  44  are illustrated. However, any number of buttons  44  can be employed to provide the user with efficient access to the data contained within the information system  30 . 
   The button(s)  44  can be positioned at any convenient location on the leash  20 . Preferably, the button(s)  44  can be positioned on the flexible strap  22  in proximity to the display window  26 . Alternatively, the button(s)  44  can be located on the inside of the flexible strap  22 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the buttons  44  can be in electrical communication (indicated by lines  46  with the data processing module  32 . The data processing module  32  can be configured with logic in any manner known in the art to receive an electrical signal (via lines  46 ) from the buttons  44  and process the button inputs. The display module  34  can be configured with logic in any manner known in the art to activate an appropriate symbol(s)  42  on the display screen  40  based on the button input signal processed by the data processing module  32  and output to the display module  34 . 
   As discussed above, information system  30  should not be noticeably intrusive on the user&#39;s experience with the water sport vehicle. As such, it is preferred that the combined weights of the button(s)  44 , the housing  26 , and the modules  32 ,  34  should be no greater than the combined weight of flexible strap  22  and the flexible tether cord  24 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the information system  30  can also include a temperature sensor  48  in electrical communication (indicated by line  50 ) with the data processing module  32 . The electrical communication (indicated by line  50 ) between the temperature sensor  48  and the data processing module  32  can be provided by a wireless connection or by a wired connection. The temperature sensor  48  can be mounted to any one of the flexible strap, the flexible tether cord, and the water sports vehicle. The temperature sensor  48  can be configured to measure water temperature and/or air temperature. 
   While the invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.