Patent ID: 7017747

Claim:
An inflatable surfboard cover device for covering a surfboard having top and bottom surfaces and including a forward section having side rails converging in a forward direction to a bow, the device comprising: an elongated envelope including top and bottom cushions for covering the top and bottom surfaces of the surfboard; the envelope further including inflatable tubular side rail cushions connected between the top and bottom cushions and cooperating therewith to form a surfboard compartment configured with a forward portion complementarily shaped to receive the forward section of the surfboard and permanently closed along the opposite sides; the envelope formed at its rearward end with a mouth for insertion of the surfboard therethrough into the compartment; the side rail cushions being formed from flexible gas impervious walls configured to be, when inflated and the surfboard is received in its compartment, distended to inflated configurations having respective C-shaped lateral cross sections in at least the forward portion to complementarily embrace the outboard edges of the side rails of the surfboard; the top and bottom cushions and side rail cushions cooperating to, when the side rail cushions are inflated, constrain the side rail cushions laterally inwardly against the side rails in the forward portion to maintain the envelope in position on the surfboard with the side rail cushions cushioning at least the forward section of the side rails against damage from impacting forces; and a valve for admitting pressurizing gas to the side rail cushions.