Patent Abstract:
A body board ( 1 ) is provided having a cavity ( 2 ) into which reinforcing elements ( 4 ) may be interchangeably inserted through an opening ( 3 ) by the user to vary the flexing characteristics of the board. The reinforcing elements may be provided with securing parts adapted to engage with a retainer in the board to securely hold the reinforcing element in place.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Australian provisional application 2010901458, filed on 7 Apr. 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to body boards for recreational purposes, and elements for providing reinforcement of them. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Body boards are a popular recreational and sporting product typically used for riding waves. They are usually constructed out of a dense foam outer shell surrounding a foam type core. It is common practice to also manufacture a reinforcing element called a “stringer” into the interior of the body board, to prevent excessive flexing and potential buckling of the board in the surf. Such reinforcing elements can be cylindrical rods made of fiberglasses other suitable material and are inserted during manufacture into a cavity drilled or molded into the core. 
         [0004]    Once manufactured, the rigidity properties of the board are fixed, but it may be perceived as advantageous to the skilled body boarder to be able to adjust the rigidity of the body board to suit different surf conditions. 
         [0005]    There is therefore a need to provide a way of allowing the amount of reinforcement or rigidity of the body board to be adjusted after manufacture. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a body board comprising a cavity for holding a reinforcing element, adapted to allow removal and replacement of the reinforcing element by a user. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the body board cavity comprises a sleeve to facilitate insertion and removal of the reinforcing element. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a retainer on the body board is adapted to engage with a securing part on the reinforcing element. The retainer and securing part may engage via corresponding screw threads. The retainer may be attached to the sleeve near an outer end thereof. The securing part of the reinforcing element may be attached to an outer end thereof. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the body board is combined with at least one of the reinforcing elements. 
         [0010]    In a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a reinforcing element adapted to be removably inserted into a cavity of a body board by a user. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the reinforcing element comprises a securing part adapted to engage with a retainer on the body board. The securing part may engage with the retainer on the body board via corresponding screw threads. The securing part may be attached to an outer end of the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element may further comprise a seal to engage with the body board to prevent ingress of water into the cavity. 
         [0012]    In a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided a set of reinforcing elements of the second broad aspect, having a range of rigidities and adapted to be interchangeably used with the body board. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a body board and reinforcing element in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows the body board and reinforcing element of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the reinforcing element part way inserted into the cavity. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  shows details of a retainer on the body board and the securing part on the reinforcing element in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative to the configuration of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a range of alternative cavity positions for embodiments of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows an assembled reinforcing element according to the currently most preferred embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows details of a handle and seal of the reinforcing element of  FIG. 6   
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows details of the securing part of the reinforcing element of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows details of the retainer in the body board adapted to receive the securing part of the reinforcing element of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Embodiments of the current invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. 
         [0023]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , body board  1  composed of an outer shell and inner foam core comprises a cavity  2 . Cavity  2  extends through the shell at an end  3  thereof to provide insertion access. End  3  also comprises a retainer. A reinforcing element  4  comprises a cylindrical rod made of fiberglass, carbon fiber or similar material as is known in the art. Attached to an outer end of reinforcing element  4  is a securing part adapted to engage with the retainer. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , reinforcing element  4  is shown inserted part way into the cavity. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , details of the reinforcing element and cavity are shown. Reinforcing element  4  comprises a cylindrical fiberglass rod  6  adapted to slide inside sleeve  7  which lines the cavity, and a metal outer sleeve  10  at an outer end thereof. Sleeve  7  is composed of flexible plastic tubing glued to the foam core and is able to flex with the board at the same time as providing a durable and smooth surface to facilitate insertion and removal of reinforcing element  4 . Near an outer end of the sleeve  7  is attached a retainer comprising stainless steel inner female screw thread  8  held in place by metal crimp clamp  9 . Screwed into the fiberglass rod  6  with a male screw thread  11  is a stainless steel securing part  12  having a larger male screw thread  13  adapted to engage with the female screw thread  8  of the retainer. Securing part  12  further comprises a seal  14  adapted to engage with the retainer so as to prevent ingress of water into the cavity, and a recessed slot  15  to allow tightening of the security part onto the retainer with an Allen key or other appropriate tool. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B , the reinforcing element is shown in the secured position. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative configuration is shown to that of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In this embodiment, the male screw thread  13   a  is at the opposite end of the reinforcing element, and engages with a corresponding female screw thread  8   a  at the innermost end of the sleeve  7   a.    
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there are shown examples of alternative orientations and positions of the cavity in different embodiments of the invention. Multiple cavities are also within the scope. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , assembled reinforcing element  60  according to the currently most preferred embodiment of the invention comprises hollow reinforcing rod  61  with inner diameter 13 mm and outer diameter 16 mm, handle and seal assembly  70  with two O-ring seals  71  and  72 , and securing part  80 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , handle and seal assembly  70  comprises nylon coated stainless steel cable  73  with ends  73   a  and  73   b  that are crimped during manufacture after insertion through handle holes  74   a  and  74   b  in cap  74 . The head of stainless steel bolt  75  rests inside recess  74   c  and passes the through the centre hole of the aluminum cap  74 , and bolt  75  screws into thread  77  of aluminum rod engaging part  76 . Rod engaging part  76  has circular cross section and comprises two O-ring seal channels  78  to receive O-rings  71  and  72 , sized appropriately to engage with the inside of a 19 mm sleeve in the body board cavity, and a lower cylindrical section  79  sized to fit snugly inside the rod  61  at the outer end thereof, as viewed when installed in the body board. Referring to  FIG. 8 , aluminum securing part  80  has a rod engaging part  81  also sized to fit snugly inside the rod  61  at the inner end of rod  61 , and hook-shaped spiral lock elements  82   a  and  82   b.  The spiral lock elements  82   a  and  82   b  engage with a retainer at an inner end of a sleeve lining the cavity in the board. Referring to  FIG. 9 , sleeve  90  is an ordinary 19 mm diameter polyethylene irrigation pipe lining the cavity. Sleeve  90  may be held in the cavity by heat fusion of the outer end thereof with a base of the body board. The retainer comprises polyethylene end plug  91  (also as normally supplied for irrigation pipes) into which has been installed an aluminum or stainless steel rivet  92  passing also through sleeve  90  fix the end cap and to provide an engaging bar for the spiral lock elements  82   a  and  82   b.  When the securing part of rod  61  is pushed up the sleeve and after engaging with bar provided by rivet  92 , a quarter turn will cause spiral lock elements  82   a  and  82   b  to hook over the bar and be retained. Washer  94  spring-loaded with spring  93  urges the hooks to remain in the retained position. Removal involves the user pushing inwards on the handle and making a reverse quarter turn, whereby the reinforcing element can be pulled out. 
         [0030]    There is thus provided a body board and removable reinforcing elements that together can provide an enhanced sporting experience. It will be appreciated that the invention comprises in its various aspects a board adapted to receive removable reinforcing elements, a combined board and reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element itself, alone or as part of a set having a range of flexibilities, adapted to be used interchangeably in a body board. 
         [0031]    Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]    For example, the retainer shown can be varied or may not be needed, and the reinforcing element may not necessarily require a securing part, depending on the design of the board. Further, the body of the reinforcing element can be made from any effective rigidity material or shape. Further still, the board may comprise more than one of the cavities for holding respective reinforcing elements. 
         [0033]    These and other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims and summary. 
         [0034]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1