Abstract:
A personal water sport riding board with a modified bottom surface to enhance its water riding characteristics is herein disclosed is provided with a pair of appendages designed to facilitate the catching of water. In such a manner, as water passes on the bottom surface, it is caught by the appendages thus propelling the riding board forward in a faster manner. The appendages are manufactured of rigid foam that is covered with a fabric material in much the same manner as a conventional riding board.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/291,043 filed Dec. 30, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a personal water sport riding board construction, and in particular, to a personal water sport riding board with a downwardly extending fin assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One (1) of the most popular warm weather tourist destinations and activities is that of spending a warm day at the beach. Among the many activities that one can partake in at the beach, swimming and surfing are particularly popular. Over the years, there have been several new variations added to the surfing experience. One (1) of these variations is commonly called body boarding or boogie boarding in which a person lies down on their stomach on a small thin board and rides the wave into shore. 
     In addition to their conventional stomach-down use, body boards can be used for skimming along shallow water near a shoreline in order to run with the board and jump upon it to surf at the last minute. Such activities require a basic, but non-trivial, amount of balance and physical coordination. However, due to the fact that body boards appeal to a more general and casual crowd than surfing, many persons utilizing these boards are not as experienced or skilled as the average surfer. As a result, many persons utilizing these boards do not experience their full entertainment potential, or have trouble getting the boards to function at all. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide water sport boards with shapes or protrusions which affect the efficacy or operation of the board. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,048, issued in the name of Marchese et al, describes a water board with a mechanized screw propeller which generates thrust in order to propel a user. The propeller is actuated using a hand lever located along both sides of the board. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,195, issued in the name of Sohaei, describes a steerable surfboard including a plurality of rudders located along a bottom surface of the board which are manually operable by a user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,347, issued in the name of Ross, describes a method and structure for permanently installing fins to an underside of a surfboard. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for a surfboard exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 349,935; D 461,516; D 528,166; D 528,179; D 568,429; and D 570,945. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not adapted for body boarding activities. Also, many such devices are more complicated to use than a conventional body board as they require additional activity on the part of the user during use. Furthermore, many such devices include complex mechanism which add cost and make the devices more difficult to transport. Accordingly, there exists a need for a water sport board without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a simple water sport board particularly adapted for casual body board activities which provides additional stabilization and propulsion to a user without requiring additional activity or coordination on the part of the user. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a personal water sport riding board with an enhanced bottom surface which enables the device to be propelled forward by turbulent water during use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide expected features of a water sport board including a flat board construction, a buoyant hydrodynamic core, and a smooth and waterproof exterior surface. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to create a surface area along the bottom surface of the device which allows turbulent water to forcefully strike the device such that it propels the device in a forward manner. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an upper fin and a lower fin integrally molded to the core along the bottom surface. Each fin comprises a wave-shape profile including a curl which provides an indentation for the water to strike the fin. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a first alternate embodiment including a dual fin deck which includes a pair of dual fin curls integrally molded to the core along the bottom surface. Each dual fin curl comprises a “V”-shaped body which provides a pair of indentations which allow turbulent water to forcefully strike the device such that it propels the device in a forward manner. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a second alternate embodiment including a hinging fin which is connected to the bottom surface of the device with a hinge. The hinging fin is further attached to the bottom surface at a distal end with a pair of stabilizing cords. The hinging fin rotates about the hinge to a perpendicular orientation which allows turbulent water to forcefully strike the device and propel it in a forward manner. The stabilizing cords prevent the hinging fin from deploying past a perpendicular position such that water flowing in a backward direction along the bottom surface of the device collapses the hinging fin and does not propel the device in a rearward manner. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the preferred embodiment of the device that provides a unique means of acquiring the device; positioning the device onto a desired body of water with the bottom surface and fins in the water; positioning a rider parallel with the deck and allowing the rider to lie upon the device; allowing the rider to paddle to a desired area where waves are breaking and creating turbulent water; enabling the fins to catch the turbulent water within the curls and propel the device forward; utilizing the device in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the turbulent water and with more control. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the first alternate embodiment of the device that provides a unique means of acquiring the alternate dual fin embodiment; positioning the device into a desired body of water; positioning a rider on the device; enabling the dual fins to catch the turbulent water within the dual fin curls to propel the device forward; utilizing the alternate dual fin embodiment in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the water and with more control. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the second alternate embodiment of the device that provides a unique means of acquiring the alternate hinging embodiment; positioning the device onto a desired body of water; positioning a rider on the device; paddling to a location within the water where waves are breaking and enabling the hinging fin to catch turbulent water which rotates the hinging fin and extends each hinge stabilizer to propel the device forward; utilizing the alternate hinging embodiment in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the water and with more control. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of a personal water sport riding board  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the personal water sport riding board  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of the personal water sport riding board  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of an alternate dual fin embodiment  50 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the alternate dual fin embodiment  50 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of an alternate hinging embodiment  60 , according to yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the alternate hinging embodiment  60 , according to yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the alternate hinging embodiment  60  taken along line A-A (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), according to yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  personal water sport riding board 
               20  deck 
               21  nose portion 
               25  core 
               27  exterior 
               30  bottom surface 
               40  upper fin 
               41  upper curl 
               42  lower fin 
               43  lower curl 
               50  alternate dual fin embodiment 
               51  alternate dual fin deck 
               52  alternate dual fin bottom surface 
               53  alternate dual fin exterior 
               54  upper dual fin 
               55  upper dual fin curl 
               56  lower dual fin 
               57  lower dual curl 
               60  alternate hinging embodiment 
               61  hinge embodiment deck 
               62  hinge embodiment bottom surface 
               63  hinge embodiment exterior surface 
               64  hinge embodiment core 
               65  hinging fin 
               66  stabilizing cord 
               67  crimp 
               68  hinge 
               69  stud 
               90  rider 
               95  turbulent water 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3  and alternately within  FIGS. 5 through 8 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a personal water sport riding board (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for a water board, boogie board, or body board with enhanced features. The enhanced features enable the device  10  to be propelled in a forward direction by turbulent water  95 . The device  10  allows a user to maneuver through a body of water in a quicker manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a bottom perspective view the device  10  and  FIG. 2 , a top perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  comprises a tombstone-shape formed from a core  25  which is shaved or molded to the desired tombstone-shape, yet other shapes may be utilized without limiting the features of the device  10 . The core  25  is comprised of a hydrodynamic material such as foam which provides a buoyancy to the rider  90 , yet other materials with various flexibility or rigidity characteristic may be utilized which may dependant upon the temperature of the water the device  10  is utilized in without limiting the scope of said device  10 . The exterior  27  of the core  25  may be covered with materials such as nylon, bonded with materials such as plastic, or coated with materials such as paint. The exterior  27  may offer not only an aesthetically pleasing dynamic, but may also provide the rider  90  with additional comfort, strength, and speed as would be contingent upon the material utilized. The deck  20  or top surface of the device  10  offers an area for placement of indicia as desired by the manufacturer and provides the riding area for the rider  90  to position themselves. A bottom surface  30  comprises an upper fin  40  and a lower fin  42  which provide the abovementioned enhanced features to drive the device  10  by the turbulent water  95  (also see  FIG. 3 ). The fins  40 ,  42  are preferably integrally molded to the core  25 , yet may also be bonded onto the bottom surface  30  with common adhesives. Each fin  40 ,  42  is positioned widthwise in a parallel manner across the bottom surface  30  with the upper fin  40  positioned at the nose portion  21  of the device  10  and the lower fin  42  positioned at an intermediate location, yet other layouts may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In use, the rider  90  positions their torso portion upon the deck  20  with the head of said rider  90  adjacent to a nose portion  21  which arranges said rider  90  parallel with said device  10 . A bottom surface  30  of the device  10  is positioned superjacent to the body of water in a conventional manner. The device  10  is paddled out to where waves are breaking to create the turbulent water  95  in the desired body of water with the nose portion  21  pointed toward the desired end location such as a beach. 
     The upper fin  40  and lower fin  42  upon the bottom surface  30  comprise a wave-shape and further comprise an upper curl  41  and a lower curl  43 , respectively. The upper curl  41  and the lower curl  43  each curl rearwardly, which enable the turbulent water  95  to drive the device  10  forwardly. The curls  41 ,  43  create an indentation on the respective fin  40 ,  42  which create a surface area for turbulent water  95  to forcefully strike and propel the device  10 . Although the device  10  is depicted as comprising a pair of fins  40 ,  42  it is known that at least one (1) and up to a plurality of fins  40 ,  42  may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a bottom perspective view of an alternate dual fin embodiment  50  and  FIG. 5 , a top perspective view of the alternate dual fin embodiment  50 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed.  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict an alternate dual fin embodiment  50  which comprises an alternate dual fin deck  51  which is utilized by the rider  90  during use similar to abovementioned deck  20 . The alternate dual fin embodiment  50  also comprises an upper dual fin  54  and a lower dual fin  56 . Each dual fin  54 ,  56  are positioned on an alternate dual fin bottom surface  52  and each comprise a horizontal “V”-shaped body which provides for a pair of dual fin curls  55 ,  57  to create similar features to the abovementioned preferred fins  40 ,  42 , yet offering additional surface area for turbulent water  95  to drive the alternate dual fin embodiment  50 . The dual fins  54 ,  56 , alternate dual deck  51 , and alternate bottom surface  52  would be covered or coating with an alternate dual fin exterior  53  which provide features similar to the abovementioned exterior  27 . The alternate dual fin embodiment  50  is fabricated from similar materials as the preferred embodiment  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , is a bottom perspective view of an alternate hinging embodiment  60 ,  FIG. 7 , a top perspective view of the alternate hinging embodiment  60 , and  FIG. 8 , a cross-sectional view of the alternate hinging embodiment  60  taken along line A-A (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  may also comprise an alternate hinging embodiment  60  further comprising a hinging fin  65  which is utilized to catch the turbulent water  95  to drive said alternate hinging embodiment  60  in a desired forward direction. The alternate hinging embodiment  60  also comprises a hinge embodiment deck  61  for a rider  90  to operate said alternate hinging embodiment  60 , a hinge embodiment bottom surface  62  which provides a surface area to affix the hinging fin  65 , a hinge embodiment exterior surface  63  which is similar to the abovementioned preferred exterior  27 , and a hinge embodiment core  64  which provides a buoyant and sturdy portion to hold the rider  90  and affix the hinging fin  65 . 
     The hinge  61  is fastened widthwise to the bottom surface  30  at an intermediate location with a common hinge  68 . The hinge  68  is attached to the hinge embodiment core  64  with integrally molded or adhered “T”-shaped studs  69 . The hinging fin  65  is preferably integral to the hinge  68  and is oriented across the entire length of said hinge  68 . The hinging fin  65  comprises a rectangular body and fabricated from a plastic or metal material. The hinging fin  65  is prohibited from rotating past a ninety degree (90°) angle by a pair of stabilizing cords  66 . The stabilizing cords  66  assist in holding the hinging fin  65  to less than the ninety degree (90°) angle as turbulent water  95  is forced against an exterior surface of said hinging fin  65  which concurrently drives alternate hinging embodiment  60 . The stabilizing cords  66  are fabricated from a nylon material, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the alternate hinging embodiment  60 . The stabilizing cords  66  are attached into the hinge embodiment core  64  via studs  69  which are mentioned herein above. The stabilizing cords  66  are also attached to an upper portion of the hinging fin  65  with a common crimp  67  mechanism. The stabilizing cords  66  are positioned through the hinging fin  65  and secured to an opposing side of said hinging fin  65  with the crimp  67  which secured the stabilizing cords  66  to said hinging fin  65 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; positioning the device  10  onto a desired body of water with the bottom surface  30  and fins  40 ,  42  in said water; positioning rider  90  parallel with the deck  20  and allowing said rider  90  to lie upon said deck  20 ; allowing said rider  90  to paddle to a desired area where waves are breaking and creating turbulent water  95 ; enabling the fins  40 ,  42  to catch the turbulent water  95  within the curls  41 ,  43  and propel the device  10  forward; utilizing the device  10  in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the turbulent water  95  and with more control thus increasing fun for all. 
     The alternate dual fin embodiment  50  of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternate dual fin embodiment  50  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the alternate dual fin embodiment  50 ; positioning the alternate dual fin embodiment  50  into a desired body of water with the alternate dual fin bottom surface  52  and dual fins  54 ,  56  within said water; positioning a rider  90  on the alternate dual fin deck  51 ; enabling the dual fins  54 ,  56  to catch the turbulent water  95  within the dual fin curls  55 ,  57  to propel the alternate dual fin embodiment  50  forward; utilizing the alternate dual fin embodiment  50  in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the water and with more control thus increasing fun for all. 
     The alternate hinging embodiment  60  of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternate hinging embodiment  60  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the alternate hinging embodiment  60 ; positioning the alternate hinging embodiment  60  onto a desired body of water with the hinge embodiment bottom surface  62  and hinging fin  65  within said water; positioning a rider  90  on the hinge embodiment deck  61 ; paddling the alternate hinging embodiment  60  to a location within the water where waves are breaking and enabling the hinging fin  65  to catch turbulent water  95  which rotates said hinging fin  65  and extends each hinge stabilizer  66  to propel the alternate hinging embodiment  60  forward; utilizing the alternate hinging embodiment  60  in a conventional manner; and, moving faster in the water and with more control thus increasing fun for all. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.