Abstract:
Equipment for a human subject&#39;s use in an upright position for transportation on the water&#39;s surface. The equipment includes: two buoyant skis ( 20 ) one attached to each foot by foot stretchers; two retractable fins ( 22 ) one towards the heel of each ski for stability on the water and sustainability in shallow water by recession; one buoyant double bladed paddle ( 26 ); three quick release leashes: one ( 25 ) running from each ankle to each ankle leash cleat ( 40 ), and one on the paddle pole to the wrist ( 27 ). Said equipment is useable in all bodies of water and is designed to ride rapids and currents and to transition between and to travel on the surface of still or slow moving water by using leg movements taking turns with each float while paddling. This equipment calls on the human subject&#39;s strength to maneuver in all water conditions with two finned floats, a paddle and related leashes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the human/water propelled buoyant skis relate to a method and apparatus for manually propelled aquatic skiing, specifically to an improved aquatic skiing apparatus allowing for successful transportation from slow moving to faster moving water and more specifically for use on faster moving water and rapids. 
         [0002]    For years numerous apparatus have been created with two floats or skis, one attached to each foot to assist users in walking, gliding, skating, skiing, riding or sailing across the surface of a body of water in a standing position. These apparatus are complicated and have failed to become commercially viable. 
         [0003]    Previous apparatus are complicated, including embodiments to the floats attempting to make a user&#39;s experience easier on the body. Many have attachments on the underside of the floats including flaps, hinges, ribs, traps, rudders, blades and more. The purpose of these attachments is to assist in the prevention of lateral movement and slippage and to assist the user to move forward in the water but they simultaneously unnecessarily create bulkier apparatus. 
         [0004]    Several patents have floats designed to maximize stability, speed and buoyancy shaping the underside of the floats in an arc or “v” formation and/or adding tunnels, tubes, pockets of air, flanges and ridges to the underside of the floats promoting forward movement and increasing fluidity. 
         [0005]    Numerous inventions join the separate foot floats together with tethers or poles to ensure the prevention of leg separation white in use. 
         [0006]    Examples of relevant prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,345 to Lee, 1989 Feb. 14; U.S. Pat. No.7,485,022 to Starr, 2009 Feb 3; U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,830 to Clark, 1962 Jan. 9; U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,562 to Durr, 1981 Nov. 24, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,984 to Gilbert, 1985 Jul. 9, mentioning using foot floats referred to as: skis, surf skies, water skies and a device for water sports of a buoyant type, Each has shortcomings which the present invention overcomes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,345 to Lee, 1989 Feb. 14, mentions being used specifically in deep water, includes a tether and shin guards and can be turned into a catamaran with the propulsion sticks. U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,022 to Starr, 2009 Feb. 3, explains using the force of a wave alone to propel someone. It specifies the apparatus is designed to be used in ocean waves and mentions being towed out to a wave. U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,830 to Clark, 1962 Jan. 9, has grooves on the bottom surface of the floats to draw in air, longitude grooving, flaps to prevent back slipping and mentions one of the purposes of the invention is for high-speed towing, U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,562 to Durr, 1981 Nov. 24, is arched on the bottom surface, having hinged members to assist in forward movement and the floats can also be used as water skis in the traditional sense. U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,984 to Gilbert 1985, Jul. 9, includes oaring sticks or water sticks and contains ribs which serve the purpose of preventing backward movement. The descriptions of the apparatus mentioned above are examples of how these apparatus are overcomplicated by requiring additional components or relying on an outside source for propulsion or a combination of the two. This information demonstrates significant differences between these apparatus and the human/water propelled aquatic equipment. 
         [0007]    Previous attempts to develop similar apparatus have failed to become commercially viable when attempting to solve both balance issues and strength issues with additional embodiments overlooking a simple and straight forward solution. The need exists for an apparatus to challenge the user&#39;s strength, agility and athleticism without over complicated features. The human/water propelled buoyant skis challenges a user&#39;s strength and physical conditioning and provides additional exercise while creating a new competitive sport. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide human/water propelled buoyant skis described herein as buoyant aquatic skis having the means to ride waves and rapids while also usable in calmer waters to approach and to transition to riding faster water. It is comprised of buoyant aquatic skis with the means to support the weight of the user and a double bladed. paddle overcoming all of the disadvantages of prior art. The paddle is optional depending upon the user&#39;s preference. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide human/water propelled buoyant skis for a user to transition into a faster moving body of water for a standing water sport experience. This equipment calls upon the user&#39;s strength in tandem with a double sided paddle to create forward motion unassisted or with the aid of a water current produced by a fast moving river, stream, ocean or any body of water not mentioned here to assist in the (progression forward. The user&#39;s inner thigh strength will keep the skis adjacent to each other so the user can stand with his or her feet shoulder width apart avoiding a straddled position. This equipment is designed to offer the user a physically challenging workout along with the experience of riding on the surface or with these aquatic skis only partially submerged in the water which can be still, slow moving, fast moving or have rapids and/or waves. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to simplify the process of standing with a float on each foot and a paddle in hand and to successfully travel on a body of water whether it is still or moving white exercising one&#39;s muscles without complicating the equipment with attachments. This invention is simplistic so the user can experience standing, walking and/or riding rapids with uncomplicated aquatic equipment maximizing the enjoyment of the experience. 
         [0011]    A further understanding of the invention can be garnered by reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following discussion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    In the drawings, 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrating a person using the human/water propelled buoyant skis and paddle, 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrating a person using the human/water propelled buoyant skis and paddle, 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top-side plan view of one of the two buoyant aquatic skis, 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom-side plan view of one of the two buoyant aquatic skis, 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 8 , 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 , 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of one of the two skis, the fin box and retractable fin, 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a buoyant aquatic ski, 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is the first of three sectional side elevation views of the tail end of one of the two skis taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  displaying the retractable fin&#39;s range of motion, 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is the second of three sectional side elevation views of the tail end of the ski taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  displaying the retractable fin&#39;s range of motion, 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is the third of three sectional side elevation views of the tail end of the ski taken along line  9 - 9  of FIG. S displaying the retractable fin&#39;s range of motion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The apparatus is human/water propelled buoyant skis having the means for riding waves and rapids, designed to approach and transition to ride faster water and usable in calmer waters. 
         [0025]    A typical embodiment of the human/water propelled buoyant skis is displayed in  FIG. 1  (side elevation view) and  FIG. 2  (a perspective view). The apparatus is generally comprised of  FIG. 1  number  20  two buoyant skis, floats, hulls or pontoons to be attached to each foot of the user. Only one ski can be viewed in  FIG. 1 , the second ski is hidden behind the first. Both skis can be viewed in  FIG. 2 . The skis are longer in length than width and can be made of polyurethane foam, fiberglass and resin with an aquatic paint coating. This material combination is known as a polyurethane foam sandwich. The skis can also be made of roto-molded plastic, foam, wood, plastic and/or materials not included in this description with the buoyancy to float a user on any and all bodies of water without outside assistance. 
         [0026]    Focusing on the ski&#39;s surfaces in  FIG. 1 , there are top and bottom sides, side walls and two end surfaces of each ski, a toe and a tail. The end surface  21  is slanted and is referred to as a toe rocker. The end surface  23  is also slanted and referred to as a tail rocker. The rockers will be described in further detail later. The skis are shaped similarly to down hill skis, suitably sized for the weight of the user, having an appropriate customized length, width and height to ensure buoyancy. The ski ends include a nose of the ski  41  and a tail of the ski  42 . The ends are referring to the top side ends and can be a variety of shapes which will be discussed in more detail. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1 ,  22  illustrates a retractable fin and its approximate location near the tail rocker of the ski.  FIG. 1 ,  24  shows the location of a foot recession which is a cavity located approximately in the center of the top surface of the skis.  FIG. 1 , number  25  illustrates an ankle leash connecting the user&#39;s ankle to an ankle leash cleat  FIG. 3 . number  40 . The ankle leashes and ankle leash cleats will be described in further detail. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a double bladed paddle  26  with two paddles, one on each end of the pole. A wrist leash  27  attaches the center of the double bladed paddle to the user&#39;s wrist which will be described in further detail. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrating a person using the buoyant aquatic skis. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a foot stretcher comprised of a toe to the foot stretcher  29 , a heel to the foot stretcher  30 , and an adjustable heel track to the foot stretcher  31 . The heels of the foot stretchers and the heel tracks can be omitted from the design. The equipment can be designed with or without the heels of the foot stretchers and the heel tracks of the adjustable foot stretchers. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom plan view of one of the two skis showing the bottom view of a fin box  32  which houses the retractable fin  22 . Both fin boxes and fins can be included in the design or excluded from the design depending on the user&#39;s preference. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 8  illustrating the inside of one of the skis when built with the polyurethane sandwich process or other materials which may or may not be included in this description. A stringer  34 , a long flat piece of material made of plastic, wood or a light weight metal is placed at a flexible level within the body of the ski running from the toe rocker to the tail rocker. The stringer can run along the center of the ski ranging in width and height suitably sized to the height and weight of the user, or it can be thin and located near the bottom of the ski&#39;s height shown in  FIG. 8  number  34 . The stringers do not need to be included depending upon the material selected for construction when building the skis. A foot stretcher anchor  FIG. 5  number is placed under the foot stretcher of each ski and is attached to the foot stretcher by foot stretcher anchor screws  37 . The foot stretcher anchor screws are also shown in  FIG. 8  number  37 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3  showing the back of the heel of one of the foot stretchers  30 , the ski  20 , the foot recession  24 , the adjustable heel track of the foot stretcher  31 , the stringer  34 , the foot stretcher anchor  33  placed within the structure of the ski acting as a base for the foot stretcher to be attached to by the foot stretcher anchor screws  FIG. 5  number  37 . Once again the stringers, the foot stretcher anchors and the foot stretcher anchor screws are contingent upon the selection of the construction materials used to build the body of the skis. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of one of the two fin boxes  32 , housing the retractable fin  22 . The fin box has fin box flanges  38  and fin box flange screws  39 . Fin dowel A and fin dowel B are numbered  35  and  36  and are also part of the fin box. This will be described in further detail. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of one of the two buoyant aquatic skis illustrating the approximate location of the fin box  32 , the retractable fin  22  and the foot recession  24 . This view shows an ensemble including the foot recession  24 , the toe of foot stretcher  29 , the heel of foot stretcher  30 , the heel track of foot stretcher  31 , and the foot stretcher anchor  33  giving a clearer picture of the foot stretcher as a whole.  5 - 5  indicates where the cross sectional line is for  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]    The sectional side elevation views of the tail end of one of the two skis shown in FIGS.  9 , 10  and  11  illustrates the range of motion of the retractable fin in the ski  22 . 
         [0037]    Every part of the human/water propelled buoyant skis is designed for riding waves and rapids and was described above. The function of each part will now be discussed in the paragraphs to follow. 
         [0038]    Beginning with the main parts of the apparatus,  FIG. 1  number  20 , the buoyant aquatic skis keep the user afloat when moving and when stationary in the water with each ski attached to the user&#39;s foot separately. The user has the ability to move forwards, backwards and sideways by foot and leg muscle movement. The user&#39;s leg muscles hold the skis parallel to one another without assistance from a rope or a tie connecting the skis to one another. Keeping the skis together works the inside of the user&#39;s leg muscles enhancing the user&#39;s workout and adding dimension to the sport as a whole. Including the upper body&#39;s muscles, the second main part of the aquatic equipment is the double bladed paddle  26 . The paddle&#39;s blades are used in a similar manner to propelling a kayak, alternating strokes using arm, shoulder and core strength deploying both right and left paddle blades. The paddles can be used to increase speed of movement across the water by increasing the rate at which the user paddles. The paddle can also be used for directional control. The double bladed paddle can assist the user in changing direction by digging one or the other blade into the water extending this movement until the skis turn to the desired angle. The double bladed paddle can slow down the user when the user digs one blade into the water on one side then changes to dig the second blade into the water on the opposite side thereby resisting the water&#39;s pull by keeping the blade still when in the water. The double bladed paddle can assist the user in reversing, by the user paddling backwards. The user can move sideways by turning the broad side of the paddle blade up, submerging it in the water then pushing it out and away from the water and away from the ski bodies sending the skis in the opposite direction of the submerged blade. The general function of the double bladed paddle is to assist the user by helping to guide the user through the water in rapids and to help the user avoid obstacles. The paddle is also useful in slow moving water when transitioning to faster moving water. The paddle is optional depending upon the user&#39;s preference. 
         [0039]    As mentioned above each ski  20  is attached to the user&#39;s foot by a foot stretcher, a. trio of parts including  FIG. 3 , the toe of the foot stretcher  29 , the heel of the foot stretcher  30  and the adjustable heel track of the toot stretcher  31 , The toe and heel of the toot stretcher keep each foot in place. The adjustable heel track of the foot stretcher allows for size adjustment to fit the user&#39;s foot. The adjustable heel track of the foot stretcher and the heel which are connected may or may not be attached to the bottom of the foot recession  24 . The models of the buoyant aquatic skis with the attached heel tracks and heels of the foot stretchers allow for more control and stability while models without this attachment allow the user more flexibility in rapids and with navigation through the water. Some designs may only have the toes of the adjustable foot stretchers omitting the heels and heel tracks. The function of the foot recession  24 , is to offer the user additional balance and stability by placing his or her feet closer to the water&#39;s surface. 
         [0040]    When using the human/water propelled buoyant skis, there is a chance he user may become detached from the equipment. In order to prevent equipment toss, three leashes are included as part of the equipment  FIG. 1  the wrist leash  27 , is shown connecting the double bladed paddle  26  to the user&#39;s wrist. A loop and hook of reusable adhesive fabric band is on each end of the leash, wrapped around the double bladed paddle  26  and the user&#39;s wrist. The two fabric bands are connected by a rubber band, tube or a rope. This leash not only attaches the equipment to the user but also affords a quick release in case the user needs to separate from the equipment. Other designs for the wrist leash can be used including those not mentioned here and the leash being permanently affixed to the double bladed paddle and the loop and hook reusable fabric band available at the other end for the wrist attachment. One of the two ankle leashes shown in  FIG. 1  number  25 , also shown in  FIG. 3  number  25 , connects the user&#39;s ankle to the leash and the leash to the ankle leash cleat  40  by way of a loop and hook of reusable adhesive fabric bands which are connected by a rubber band, tube or a rope. Other designs for the ankle leashes can be used including those not mentioned here and the leashes being permanently affixed to the ankle leash cleats and the loop and hook reusable fabric bands available at the other end for the ankle attachments. One leash running from the left ski to the left ankle and the other leash from the right ski to the right ankle. The ankle leashes are necessary tor the same reasons listed above, to prevent equipment loss and to afford a quick release to separate from equipment if the user deems necessary. All three leashes are useful but not necessary to use this equipment. 
         [0041]    The skis&#39; nose shape  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  number  41  and angle and heel shape  42  and angle will vary, built suitable to cater to the size, weight and experience of the user thereby maintaining buoyancy in different water conditions. The skis&#39; range of designs will assist the user&#39;s control and flexibility of movement on the water. Looking at one of the two skis  FIG. 1  the nose rocker  21  and tail rocker  23  allow the skis  20  to travel through the water with greater ease. These angles have a range of curvatures and design features which vary depending upon the weight of the user and the size of the rapids or waves. Towards the top of the skis  FIG. 3 , the nose of the ski  41 , and the heel of the ski  42 , can vary in shape having a more pointed or more curved shape or having one side that is flat and One that is curved and include other design variations not mentioned here. The range of nose and heel designs of the skis affect the maneuverability of the skis in different water conditions. 
         [0042]    Looking at one of the two skis, FIG,  1  the retractable fin  22  assists the user in tracking through the water. The fins assist the user in making tighter turns when necessary and maintaining some traction, grab or contact with the water thereby preventing the skis from slipping out from under the user&#39;s body causing the user to fall. Both the retractable fins and the user&#39;s inner thigh strength assist in keeping the skis shoulder width apart and parallel to one another.  FIGS. 7 and 9  features a retractable fin  22  which is housed in the fin box  32 . The retractable fin is attached to the retractable fin box by dowel A number  35 . Dowel A runs from one side of the fin box to the other and is the pivot point by which the retractable fin moves in and out of the fin box. This movement can be seen in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 . In  FIGS. 7 and 9  number  36  dowel B is clearly shown. The function of dowel B is to prevent the retractable fin from overextending into the water. The fin falls with gravity, and retracts into the fin box when there are obstacles to afford protection assisting in the prevention of breakage. As mentioned earlier FIG,  7  number  38  displays one of the skis&#39; fin box flanges. These flanges and fin box flange screws number  39 , are provided to allow the fin box to attach to the bottom of the ski and to be removed if the user would like to forego taking advantage of the retractable fin and fin box on each ski or if the user would like to replace the fin with a different fin size. Other models of the human/water propelled buoyant skis can be constructed without incorporating the fin boxes and retractable fins. 
         [0043]    If the skis are built with polyurethane foam sandwich materials mentioned earlier and other flexible materials, the stringer in each ski, one of which is shown in  FIG. 5  number  34 , wilt strengthen the skis, A stringer is added to the center of each ski assisting in the weight distribution throughout the length of the skis and strengthening the bodies of the skis. A user&#39;s stance will focus the weight in the approximate center of the skis where the foot stretchers are located. The purpose of the stringers is to distribute the user&#39;s weight throughout the skis to avoid breakage. The stringers can be made of wood, plastic, steel or other materials not mentioned here. The stringers are not always necessary. The need for stringers depends on the materials selected to construct the skis. 
         [0044]    FIG,  5 , number  33  is showing one of the two foot stretcher anchors. The anchors are not always necessary to use with all ski materials. They work well with polyurethane foam sandwich materials and other flexible materials. The anchors are placed below the foot recessions within the skis&#39; foam or body. The toes of the foot stretchers, and when utilized the heels of the foot stretchers and the adjustable heel tracks will rest on the bottom of the foot recessions and are attached to the foot stretcher anchors by foot stretcher anchor screws  37 . This design prevents the foot stretchers which consist of the toe and heel of a foot stretcher and the adjustable heel track or just the toe of the foot stretcher from easily pulling out of the skis. 
         [0045]    The human/water propelled buoyant skis offer a different product than prior art. This apparatus is designed for a user to pursue maximum athleticism, challenging every muscle in his or her body. Two skis which are not attached to one another challenge the leg muscles and a paddle challenges the upper body strength. The core gets the ultimate workout when the arms and legs move independently. This apparatus is designed for faster moving water allowing a user to transition to faster moving water from slow or stagnant water with a paddle and leg movements then proceed to tackle rapids, waves and currents with skis designed for these conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,022 differs from the current invention which mentions being towed to a wave to ride it and mentions riding an ocean wave solely. The human/water propelled buoyant skis are designed to be used without the aid of any outside assistance and is designed to be used in all bodies of water. This apparatus will achieve maximum speeds in swift moving water, currents, rapids and waves. These are two notable differences in this particular prior art example. The human/water propelled buoyant skis fulfills a need by bringing a new sport to rivers, streams and oceans challenging the user to master the equipment and learn a new skill set, buoyant aquatic skiing.