Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/931,656, filed Nov. 3, 2015, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/180,800, filed Jun. 17, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/185,805, filed Jun. 29, 2015, which are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they are not conflicting with the present application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention relates generally to electric vehicles and more specifically to electric bicycles and boards for use in water. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Paddle boards, boogie boards, and the like are popular for recreational activities in the water. Some people may also like to use bicycles to get to the water. However, it may be difficult to transport a paddle board, boogie board, or other equipment when traveling on a bicycle. When reaching a body of water, the bicycle may need to be locked up while using the paddle board or boogie board in the water. If it is desired to take the bicycle onto the water, some floatation systems may be available, but it is not possible to use the bicycle as an apparatus for paddle boarding or other similar recreational water activities. Thus, there is a need for a more convenient way to travel to the water and transport equipment for recreation in the water. There is also a need for a way to use the same equipment on land and water, decreasing the amount of equipment that must be carried, stored, or transported. 
         [0008]    The problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued, but they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0010]    In one exemplary embodiment an electric bike board apparatus is provided that is used in four different modes: a bicycle (Mode  1 ), a boogie board for use while lying down (Mode  2 ), a boogie board for use while seated (Mode  3 ), and a paddle board for use while standing up (Mode  4 ). Thus, an advantage is that a single apparatus may be used for both traveling on land and using in the water. Another advantage is that equipment would not need to be locked or stored during recreation. Another advantage is that quick conversion from one mode to another is convenient and easy for the user. 
         [0011]    In another exemplary embodiment, a bike board apparatus is provided that can be pedaled in Mode  1 . Thus, an advantage is that electric power may not be needed. 
         [0012]    The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus in Mode  1 , a bicycle, according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2 a    illustrates a top perspective view of an electric bike board apparatus in Mode  2 , a boogie board for use while lying down, according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2 b - d    illustrate a back perspective, front, and bottom view, respectively, of the electric bike board apparatus of  FIG. 2 a    in Mode  2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2 e    illustrates a left side view of an electric bike board apparatus in Mode  2 , according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2 f    illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary application of the electric bike board apparatus of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0019]      FIG. 3 a    illustrates a front perspective view of an electric bike board apparatus in Mode  3 , a boogie board for use while seated, according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3 b    illustrates a side perspective view of the electric bike board apparatus of  FIG. 3 a    in Mode  3 , with a boogie board seat. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3 c    illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary application of the electric bike board apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0022]      FIGS. 4 a - d    illustrate back perspective, front perspective, top and side views, respectively, of an electric bike board apparatus in Mode  4 , a paddle board for use while standing, according to an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5 a - b    illustrate side views of a preferred embodiment of the electric bike board apparatus in a mode for use in water and a mode for use as a bicycle, respectively, wherein the front wheel and the propeller with a motor are separate. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bike board apparatus wherein the front wheel and the propeller without a motor are separate. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the electric bike board apparatus wherein a rudder may be provided. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8 a    illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a rear board portion inserted into a front board portion, and a seat provided in the side of the board, according to an embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8 b    illustrates a side perspective view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus of  FIG. 8 a   , wherein a seat is provided by inserting a portion of the board down into a hollow cavity of the body of the board. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8 c    illustrates a side perspective view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus in Mode  1 , a bicycle, wherein the length of the board is shortened by moving a sliding end, according to an embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8 d    illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a compressible middle portion, according to an embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9 a    illustrates a side view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a cutaway showing that the bike board has an inflatable middle portion not inflated and capped by two end caps, according to an embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9 b    illustrates a side view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus of  FIG. 9 a    in a board mode, with an inflatable middle portion fully inflated, and the wheels tucked into the end caps. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9 c    illustrates a side view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus in a board mode, with an inflatable middle portion fully inflated, and the wheels encased on top of the end caps, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
         [0034]    For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g.,  102  and  202 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, then that conflicting description given for that particular embodiment shall govern. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus  100  (hereinafter, “electric bike and board apparatus,” “electric bike board,” “electric bike board apparatus,” “electric bike,” “electric board,” or “bike board”) in a first mode, Mode  1 , a bicycle, according to an embodiment. As shown, the body  101  of the electric bike  100  may have the shape, size and floating characteristics of a paddle board, stand-up board, boogie board, surfboard or other similar board (hereinafter, “surfboard”) used for recreational purposes in water (ocean, lakes, etc.), while having the strength of a bicycle body, and may be constructed from any suitable material(s), such as, for example, plastic, foam, aluminum or combination thereof. A seat  102  may be included along a side  105  of the electric bike body  101  for a user to sit on while riding the bike. The electric bike  100  may include a front wheel  104 - a  and a rear wheel  104 - b.  The rear wheel  104 - b  may be recessed into the body  101 , as shown. An advantage may be that the recess allows for the bike board  100  to have a long enough body  101  for a user to lay down on, while the entire length of the bike board  100  remains as short as possible. Another advantage may be that the rear wheel  104 - b  may be prevented from interfering with the balancing of the bike board  100  when floating in the water. 
         [0036]    The bike board  100  may include handlebars  103  for steering the apparatus in any of the modes. The handlebars  103  and the front wheel  104 - a  may attach to the body  101  for Mode  1 , for example, by fitting into a connector tube  106  for Mode  1 . The connector tube  106  may have a first end and a second end, as shown in  FIG. 2 a   . The body  101  may include three through slots, a first slot  107 - a,  a second slot  107 - b,  and a third slot  107 - c,  which may be used for changing the bike board  100  from one mode to another as it will be described hereinafter. The slots  107 - a,    107 - b,  and  107 - c  may have openings on the top side ( 201 - a,  as shown in  FIG. 2 a   ) and bottom side ( 201 - b,  as shown in  FIG. 2 d   ) of the body  101 . The top side  201 - a  and the bottom side  201 - b  may be the left and right sides of the bike board  100  when used in Mode  1 . 
         [0037]    The bike board  100  may include an electric motor (shown in  111  as an example), and may power the front wheel  104 - a,  the back wheel  104 - b,  or both. The motor may, for example, be a hub motor  111 , such that it forms a part of the front wheel  104 - a,  or part of the rear wheel  104 - b  (not shown), or both. The motor  111  may be powered with one or more batteries  110 , or any other suitable power source. The batteries  110  may preferably be contained in a waterproof case in the electric bike board  100 , and may be charged using solar panels (as shown in  FIG. 9 a   ) or any other suitable source. 
         [0038]    As shown, front wheel  104 - a  and/or rear wheel  104 - b  may be adapted to include propeller  108 , thus enabling the wheel(s) to have a dual function, as a bike wheel and as a water propeller. The front wheel  104 - a  and/or rear wheel  104 - b  adapted to include a propeller  108  may be configured such that the fins of the propeller  108  are also the spokes of the front wheel  104 - a  and/or rear wheel  104 - b.  An advantage may be that the fin-shaped spokes may support the wheel(s) while the bike board  100  is in use on land, and the shape of the fins may be optimized for powering the bike board  100  through water. 
         [0039]    It should be apparent that alternatively, the bike board  100  may be run as a run/balance bike, for example, for exercising purposes. 
         [0040]    As it will be apparent from the present disclosure, the bike board  100  is preferably, but not necessary, a modular apparatus configured to enable the user to easily assemble and disassemble and thus convert the bike board to the desired mode of operation. It should also be noted that several components and modules are preferably, but not necessary, configured to have more than one function and/or more than their traditional function(s) (e.g., bicycle body is also boogie board, front wheel is also propeller, etc.), in order to make the bike board disclosed herein amphibious and easily convertible to various modes of operation on land and/or water. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2 a    illustrates a top perspective view of an electric bike board apparatus  200  in a second mode, Mode  2 , a boogie board for use while lying down, according to an embodiment. An electric bike  100  in Mode  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , may, for example, be converted to Mode  2  as shown in  FIG. 2 a    by laying the body  201  flat on the water, and removing the handlebars  203  and front wheel  204 - a  from the connector tube  206 . The handlebars  203  may be removed from the first end  206 - a  and the front wheel rod  204 - aa  may be removed from the second end  206 - b.  The body  201  may have a top side  201 - a  and a bottom side  201 - b  (as shown in  FIG. 2 d   ) which may face the water. The handlebars  203  may be inserted into the slot  207 - b  from the first side  201 - a,  to join the front wheel rod  204 - aa,  which may be inserted into the same slot  207 - b  from the second side  201 - b.  The wheels  204 - a  and  204 - b  may be made from any suitable material, and may be constructed from material that may help to increase the buoyancy of the bike board  200 , such as, for example, carbonite or styrofoam. 
         [0042]    The electric bike board  200  may be converted from any mode described herein to any other mode described herein. To use the electric bike board  200  in Mode  2 ,  3 , or  4  described earlier, the seat  202 , connector tube  206 , and rear wheel  204 - b  may remain on the body  201  as in Mode  1  (see  FIG. 1 ). Thus, an advantage is that removal of parts is not necessary and thus parts may not need to be stored or locked up while the electric bike board  200  is in use in water. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 2 b - d    illustrate a back perspective, front, and bottom views, respectively, of the electric bike board apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2 a    in Mode  2 . The bike board  200  may include a propeller  208  for use in the water. The propeller  208  ( 108  in  FIG. 1 ) may be part of the front wheel  204 - a  and may also power the bike board  200  while in Mode  1 . The handlebars  203  may be connected to the front wheel  204 - a  and propeller  208  such that the handlebars  203  may be used to steer the bike board  200  on land and also in the water. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2 e    illustrates a left side view of an electric bike board apparatus  200  in Mode  2 , according to an embodiment. For switching between modes, as an alternative to the discussion when referring to  FIG. 2 a   , the handlebars  103 / 203  and front wheel  104 - a/   204 - a  assembly may simply be rotatable or pivotable into the desired positions, such as, for example, at a 90 degree angle with respect to the board  101 / 201 , to convert the apparatus  100 / 200  from bike to board mode and vice versa. To facilitate this, a pivotal and lockable articulation may be provided for example at  106   c  ( FIG. 1 ). Thus, looking at  FIG. 1  (bike mode), a user would simply rotate the handlebars  103  and front wheel  104 - a  assembly with 90 degrees with respect to board  101  in order to quickly convert the apparatus to board mode, wherein the front wheel  204 - a  may be in the body of water  218  while the board  201  floats on top of the body of water  218 . The reverse process would be equally quick as well. An advantage may be that switching between bike and board modes may be achieved faster than by removing and replacing the handlebars  203  and front wheel  204 - a  into slots (as shown by  107 - a - c  in  FIG. 1 ) of the body  201 . The pivotal articulation may be accomplished by any suitable means known in the art, such as by using a portion of a pipe attached to the connector tube  206  and inserting it into another pipe portion attached to the board  201 . The unlocking before rotation and the locking after rotation may be accomplished by for example using a spring loaded snapping pin and corresponding holes, which a user can disengage to unlock. 
         [0045]    A side of the body  201  may include the seat  202 , and foot pegs  215  may be included on the opposite side, such as, for example, the seat  202  on the left side and the foot pegs  215  on the right side, as shown. In an alternative embodiment, the seat  202  may be on the right side of the body  201  (as shown in  FIG. 2 f   ). 
         [0046]    The rear wheel  204 - b  may be recessed in a cavity  220  of the body  201 . Foot pegs  215  may be connected to a wheel  204 - b  by a chain  216  and may be used to pedal the bike board  200  in a manual mode without electric power, such as, for example, for exercising purposes. For use with electric power, the bike board  200  may include a hub motor  211 - a,  which may be associated with the front wheel  204 - a  and/or propeller  208 . The rear wheel  204 - b  may also be associated with an additional or substitute motor  211 . The motor  211 - a  or motor  211  may be powered by a battery  210 . Thus, for example, a user may use the bike in a manual/pedaling mode to go to the beach and use the battery power only into the water. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2 f    illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary application of the electric bike board apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2 a   . A user may use the bike board  200  as a boogie board while lying down, in Mode  2 . The handlebars  203  may be telescopic such that, when, for example, fitted into slot  207 - b,  they may adjust to the user&#39;s reach while lying down. Again, while the front bike wheel  204 - a  having propeller  208  is spinning powered by motor  211 - a,  the bike board  200  is moving forward (left in  FIG. 2 f   ). At the same time, the user may use the handlebars  203  to steer the front wheel  204 - a  and thus the bike board  200  in order to travel in the desired direction while floating in the water. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3 a    illustrates a front perspective view of an electric bike board apparatus  300  in a third mode, Mode  3 , a boogie board for use while the user is seated, according to an embodiment. To convert the bike board  300  to Mode  3 , the handlebars  303  may be inserted into the top side  301 - a  of slot  307 - c  to join front wheel&#39;s rod (see  204   aa  in  FIG. 2 a   ), which may be inserted into the bottom side (not shown) of slot  307 - c.    
         [0049]      FIG. 3 b    illustrates a side perspective view of the electric bike board apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3 a    in Mode  3 , with a boogie board seat. A cushion  309  may be used on the bike board  300  while in Mode  3 , for added comfort to the user while seated. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3 c    illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary application of the electric bike board apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3 a   . Again, the handlebars  303  may be telescopic to adjust to a desired height by the user. The user may be seated on a cushion  309  and may rest against the handlebars  303 . Again, while the front bike wheel  304 - a  having propeller  308  is spinning powered by motor  311 - a,  the bike board  300  is moving forward (right in  FIG. 3 c   ). At the same time, the user may use the handlebars  303  to steer the front wheel  304 - a  and thus the bike board  300  in order to travel in the desired direction while floating in the water. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4 a    illustrates a back perspective view of an electric bike board apparatus  400  in a fourth mode, Mode  4 , a paddle board for use while standing, according to an embodiment.  FIGS. 4 b - d    illustrate a front perspective, top, and side view, respectively, of the electric bike board apparatus  400  of  FIG. 4 a    in Mode  4 . To convert the bike board  400  to Mode  4 , the handlebars  403  may be inserted into the slot  407 - a  on top side  401 - a  of the bike board  400  and the front wheel&#39;s rod (see  204   aa  in  FIG. 2 a   ), may be inserted into the slot  407 - a  on the bottom side (not shown) of the bike board  400 . The handlebars  403  may be telescopic such that the height may be adjustable, and may be increased for use while standing on the bike board  400 . An advantage is that the height may be adjustable for any user. Again, while the front bike wheel  404 - a  having a propeller  408  is spinning powered by motor  411 - a,  the bike board  400  is moving forward or backward, depending of course on the direction the front bike wheel and thus propeller are spinning. At the same time, the user may use the handlebars  403  to support him/herself and to steer the front wheel  404 - a  and thus the bike board  400  in order to travel in the desired direction while floating in the water. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 5 a - b    illustrate side views of a preferred embodiment of the electric bike board apparatus  500  in a mode for use in water and a mode for use as a bicycle, respectively, wherein the front wheel  504 - a  having a motor  511  and the propeller  508  having a motor  511 - a  are separate. The front wheel  504 - a  may be attached to a second fork  513 , and the propeller  508  may be attached to a first fork  512 . Each fork may independently fold out of the body  501  for use, as shown by the first fork  512 , or fold into the body  501 , as shown by the second fork  513 , when not in use. The front wheel  504 - a  or propeller  508  may then be stored inside of a cavity  514  in the body  501 . As shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the bike board  500  would be used in the water, having the front wheel  504 - a  folded and stored into cavity  514  and propeller  508  down into the water. As described earlier, the handlebars  503  may be used to swivel the propeller  508  to steer the bike board  500 . The seat  502  may also fold against or into the body  501 . The handlebars  503  may be telescopic in order to fold down into or against the body  501 . 
         [0053]    The bike board  500  may include foot pegs  515 , which may also be folded against or into the body  501 , as shown in  FIG. 5 b   . The foot pegs  515  may be connected to a wheel  504 - b  by a chain  516  and may be used to pedal the bike board  500  in a manual mode without electric power. Again, for use with electric power, the bike board  500  may include a motor  511 , which may be associated with the front wheel  504 - a.  The rear wheel  504 - b  may also be associated with an additional or substitute motor  511 . The propeller  508  may also have a drop-down motor  511 - a.  The motor or motors  511  may be powered by a battery  510 . The drop-down motor  511 - a  may be wired to the battery  510  by any means known in the art, or a switch (not shown) may be included to send power to the drop-down motor  511 - a  or the front wheel  504 - a.  The wire (not shown) may be routed through the forks  512  and  513  to connect to the battery  510  and motor  511  or  511 - a.  Cables, belts, or any other transmission means for power may also be used. As shown in  FIG. 5 b   , the bike board  500  would be used on land in bike mode, having the propeller  508  folded and stored into cavity  514  and front wheel  504 - a  down. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bike board apparatus  600  wherein the front wheel  604 - a  having a motor  611  and the propeller  608  without a motor are separate. The propeller  608  may be associated with a first fork  612 . Similarly as for the bike board from  FIGS. 5 a   - b,  when in the water, the front wheel  604 - a  may fold into a space  614  in the body  601  on a second fork  613 - a.  When on land, propeller  608  will replace the front wheel  604 - a  into space  614  and vice versa. The fork  613 - a  may be associated with the front wheel  604 - a  on only one side of the front wheel  604 - a.  Again, the seat  602  may fold against or into the body  601 , and the foot pegs  615  may be connected to a wheel  604 - b  by a chain  616  and may be used to pedal the bike board  600  in a manual mode without electric power. Again, for use with electric power, the bike board  600  may include a motor  611 , which may be associated with the front wheel  604 - a  as shown. A motor  611  may also be associated with the rear wheel  604 - b.  The propeller  608  without a motor may be powered by the motor  611  associated with the front wheel  604 - a,  and may be connected to it through a wire (not shown) or by any means known in the art. Again, cables, belts, or any other transmission means for power may also be used. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the electric bike board apparatus  700  wherein a rudder  717  may be provided. The rudder  717  may be connected to the handlebars  703  for steering the bike board  700 . The rudder  717  may fold into a space  714  in the body  701  when not in use, and may fold out when in use. The front wheel  704 - a  may fold into the space  714  when not in use, and my fold out when in use. The rear wheel  704 - b  may fold to lie against the body  701  as shown, or may fold into a space (not shown) in the body  701 . The rear wheel  704 - b  may include a propeller  708  and may propel the bike board  700  when folded out as shown. In another alternative embodiment, the front wheel  704 - a  may fold against the body  701 , or both wheels  704 - a  and  704 - b  may fold against the body  701 . Again, the seat  702  may fold against the body  701 , and the foot pegs  715  may be connected to a wheel  704 - b  by a chain  716  and may be used to pedal the bike board  700  in a manual mode without electric power. Again, for use with electric power, the bike board  700  may include a motor  711 , which may be associated with the front wheel  704 - a  as shown. A motor  711  may also be associated with the rear wheel  704 - b,  and the propeller  708  may be powered by the motor  711 . Again, cables, belts, or any other transmission means for power may also be used. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8 a    illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus  800  in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a rear board portion  819 - a  inserted into a front board portion  819 - b,  and a seat  802 - a  provided in the side of the board  800 , according to an embodiment. The board  800  may be converted from short to long, and vice versa, depending on the mode that is to be used. For example, shortening the board body  801  for use in Mode  1  may be achieved by inserting the rear board portion  819 - a  into the front board portion  819 - b,  and may allow for a smaller turning radius when using the bike board  800  as a bicycle. As another example, lengthening the board for use in Mode  2  may be achieved by pulling the front  819 - b  and rear  819 - a  board portions apart and may allow a user to rest their entire body on the bike board  800 . The two board portions may be lockable at the desired length position using known means in the art such as by for example using a spring loaded snapping pin and corresponding holes, which a user can disengage to unlock. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8 b    illustrates a side perspective view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus  800  of  FIG. 8 a   , wherein a seat  802 - a  is provided by inserting a portion of the board down into a hollow cavity of the body  801  of the board. The board body  801  may be partially hollow to accommodate the insertion of the seat  802 - a  into the board body  801 . The seat  802 - a  may be configured to lock into either the up (as shown in  FIG. 8 a   ) or down (as shown in  FIG. 8 b   ) positions. The up position may be used in a board mode such as Mode  2 , while the down position may be used in the bike mode, Mode  1 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8 c    illustrates a side perspective view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus  800  in Mode  1 , a bicycle, wherein the length of the board  801  is shortened by moving a sliding end  819 - d,  according to an embodiment. Again, the board  800  may be converted from short to long, and vice versa, depending on the mode that is to be used. The sliding end  819 - d  may be positioned such that it is parallel to the rest of the body  801 , creating a shorter bike board  800 , as shown. The sliding end  819 - d  may also be moved to attach to the end of the body  801 , creating a longer and flat bike board  800 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8 d    illustrates a side perspective view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus  800  in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a compressible middle portion  820 - a,  according to an embodiment. The compressible middle portion  820 - a  may be similar to an accordion, and may be stretched out for a longer body  801  or, as shown, may be compressed for a shorter body  801 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9 a    illustrates a side view of a convertible electric bike board apparatus  900  in Mode  1 , a bicycle, with a cutaway  924  showing that the bike board  900  has an inflatable middle portion  920 - b  not inflated and capped by two end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b,  according to an embodiment. The cutaway  924  also shows that the inside of the end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  may hold a battery  910 , a control box  925 , and a propeller  908 , which may come out of the end cap  923 - a  during a board mode. 
         [0061]    The bike board  900  may be convertible between short and long modes by use of an inflatable middle portion  920 - b  with two end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  on either end of the inflatable middle portion  920 - b.  An advantage, as discussed when referring to  FIGS. 8 a   - d,  may be that a shorter body while in bicycle mode would allow for a smaller turning radius, and a longer body while in a board mode would for example allow for the user to lay down on the board  900 . The end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  may be made of any suitable material that would provide sturdiness and buoyancy, such as, for instance, carbonite or styrofoam. The end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  may lock together via a locking mechanism  921  between the two end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  in a short mode, and the two end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  may be unlocked and come apart allowing the board to expand in length while the middle portion  920 - b  is inflated, for a long mode. The locking mechanism  921  may be a lock, hook, clasp, or any other suitable method of locking the two end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  together. 
         [0062]    Solar panels  922  may be attached to one or both sides of the board  900  for charging the battery  910 . A seat  902  may also be attached to one of the end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b,  such as, for instance, end cap  923 - a,  as shown. The rear end cap  923 - b  may also include a pocket  930  to hold a paddle  931  or any other accessory for use during recreation or other activity while using the bike board  900 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 9 b    illustrates a side view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus  900  of  FIG. 9 a    in a board mode, with an inflatable middle portion  920 - b  fully inflated, and the wheels  904 - a  and  904 - b  tucked into the end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b.  The inflatable middle portion  920 - b  may be automatically inflated by the an integrated pump powered by battery  910  of the bike board  900 , and may increase the length of the entire bike board apparatus  900  when fully inflated. The inflatable middle portion  920 - b  may also be manually inflated by a user. When the inflatable middle portion  920 - b  is fully inflated, the bike board apparatus  900  may be locked into the long position. The inflatable middle portion  920 - b  may be constructed from any suitable material that may provide buoyancy and sturdiness to the bike board apparatus  900 , and may have more than one layer of material (not shown). Cables  927  necessary for the function of the electric bike board  900  such as, for example, brake cables or cables connecting the battery  910  or control box  925  with the front wheel  904 - a  or propeller  908 , may be tucked into the inflatable middle portion  920 - b  between layers of material or materials. The layers of the inflatable middle portion  920 - b  may, as an example, also hold a jet propulsion engine  926  for powering the bike board  900  while in a board mode. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9 c    illustrates a side view of the convertible electric bike board apparatus  900  in a board mode, with an inflatable middle portion  920 - b  fully inflated, and the wheels  904 - a  and  904 - b  encased in casings  928 - a  and  928 - b  on top of the end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b,  according to an embodiment. As shown, the wheels  904 - a  and  904 - b  may be stored on top of the board  900 , or in any other suitable manner that would allow for buoyancy of the board  900 . The casing  928 - a  and  928 - b  for the wheels  904 - a  and  904 - b  may be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, any material that the end caps  923 - a  and  923 - b  are constructed from. 
         [0065]    As an example, each end cap  923 - a  or  923 - b  may be approximately 3 feet in length and 6 inches in height. With the inflatable middle portion  920 - b  fully inflated having a length of approximately 6 feet, altogether the entire bike board apparatus  900  may be approximately 12 feet long. In bike mode with the inflatable middle portion  920 - b  not fully inflated, the bike board apparatus  900  may be approximately 6 feet long. 
         [0066]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0067]    As used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items. 
         [0068]    Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments. 
         [0069]    The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present 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 forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
         [0070]    Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0071]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the invention.

Technology Category: 7