The present invention relates generally to surfboard accessories. More specifically, the present invention is a board carrier that is designed to carry a surfboard more easily and more comfortably.
Surfers have been carrying their surfboards under their arms for decades now. However, the carrying of a surfboard from its point of storage, or from an automobile to the surf, presents a problem due to the size and unwieldy nature of the board. The board can often slip out from underneath the user's arm, thus requiring the user to constantly readjust the board while walking. While devices has been designed to assist in carrying surfboards, such devices are often unwieldy and complicated to attach. Furthermore, they do not prevent the board from slipping and becoming displaced.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can be quickly, easily and adjustably fitted on a surfboard and that is just as easily removed therefrom when required. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device by which the board can be carried in hand by the user in a convenient manner despite the size and weight of the board. The present invention provides a carrier body and a retention strap that are used in tandem to encompass a surfboard. A handle and a carrier strap are connected to the carrier body and allow the user to carry the surfboard in a balanced, comfortable manner, to thereby conveniently transport the board to or from the surf. Furthermore, a plurality of grips is integrated into the carrier body and the retention strap to prevent the board from slipping out while in transport.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a board carrier that allows an individual to readily carry a surfboard, paddle board, etc. The present invention comprises a carrier body 1, a retention strap 2, a plurality of grips 3, an extension strap 5, and a carrier strap 4. The carrier body 1 wraps around the edge of the board that is to be carried and provides terminal mounting for the retention strap 2. The retention strap 2 extends around the edge of the board opposite the carrier body 1, wherein the board is encircled by the carrier body 1 and the retention strap 2. The extension strap 5 can be used in conjunction with the retention strap 2 for wider boards.
In reference to
The retention strap 2 is terminally connected to the first flap 11 opposite the central section 10 as depicted in
The retention strap 2 comprises a fastener 20 that is configured to removably secure the retention strap 2 to the strap fastener 13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastener 20 is a hook and loop fastener, comprising a hook portion 21 and a loop portion 22; the hook portion 21 and the loop portion 22 being positioned adjacent to each other along an exterior side of the retention strap 2 as depicted in
In other embodiments of the present invention, the fastener 20 and the strap fastener 13 may form other mechanical connections used to secure the retention strap 2 to the second flap 12. For example, the fastener 20 and the strap fastener 13 could be opposing snap fasteners, a button and a receiving slot, or a zipper connection. Any other suitable mechanical fastening means formed by the fastener 20 and the strap fastener 13 can also be employed in other embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, a magnetic fastening means may be employed, wherein the fastener 20 and the strap fastener 13 are magnets being arranged to magnetically attract each other.
The plurality of grips 3 is integrated into the carrier body 1 and the retention strap 2, wherein each of the plurality of grips 3 is configured to engage with the board. More specifically, the plurality of grips 3 is integrated into an interior surface of both the carrier body 1 and the retention strap 2. In reference to
The carrier grip 31 comprises a first grip section, a second grip section, and a third grip section. The first grip section is positioned about the first flap 11, the second grip section is positioned about the second flap 12, and the third grip section is positioned along the central section 10. In this way, the carrier grip 31 provides a gripping surface for each side of the carrier body 1, such that the carrier body 1 can be securely engaged with the board about all sides.
The handle 14 is adjacently connected to the central section 10 opposite the plurality of grips 3. The handle 14 is terminally connected to the central section 10 about two points on opposing ends of the central section 10. In this way, the handle 14 extends along the central section 10, and in turn the edge of the board when the carrier body 1 and the retention strap 2 are attached to the board. The handle 14 allows a user to readily lift and transport the board, while the plurality of grips 3 prevents the board from slipping out of the carrier body 1 and the retention strap 2 when the board is lifted using the handle 14. Furthermore, the handle 14 comprises a padded section to increase the comfort of the user when carrying the board.
The carrier strap 4 can be used in place of or in conjunction with the handle 14 to carry the board. While the handle 14 allows the board to be carried by hand, the carrier strap 4 allows the user to carry the board on their shoulder. In reference to
The carrier body 1 further comprises a first strap fastener 16 and a second strap fastener 17 that are utilized to anchor the carrier strap 4 to the carrier body 1. The first strap fastener 16 and the second strap fastener 17 are integrated into the central section 10, wherein the handle 14 is positioned in between the first strap fastener 16 and the second strap fastener 17. To attach the carrier strap 4 to the carrier body 1, the carrier strap 4 is removably engaged with the first strap fastener 16 and the second strap fastener 17. In reference to
The carrier strap 4 comprises a first connector 41 and a second connector 42, wherein the first connector 41 is removably engaged with the first strap fastener 16 and the second connector 42 is removably engaged with the second strap fastener 17. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 are each a clip, wherein the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 can be readily attached to and detached from the first strap fastener 16 and the second strap fastener 17 respectively. In other embodiments of the present invention, other suitable mechanical engagements may be formed between the first connector 41 and the first strap fastener 16 and between the second connector 42 and the second strap fastener 17.
If the retention strap 2 is not able to fully encompass the board, then the extension strap 5 can be utilized to provide additional length in order to fully encompass the board. The extension strap 5 is designed to engage with both the retention strap 2 and the strap fastener 13 of the carrier body 1, wherein the extension strap 5 comprises a first extension fastener 51 and a second extension fastener 52. In reference to
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fastener 20 comprises the hook portion 21 and the loop portion 22, the first extension fastener 51 comprises a hook portion 21 and/or a loop portion 22. If used standalone, the hook portion 21 of the first extension fastener 51 or the loop portion 22 of the first extension fastener 51 is positioned along an interior surface of the extension strap 5 as depicted in
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second extension fastener 52 comprises a hook portion 21 and a loop portion 22; the hook portion 21 of the second extension fastener 52 and the loop portion 22 of the second extension fastener 52 being positioned adjacent to each other along an exterior surface of the extension strap 5 as depicted in
The plurality of grips 3 further comprises an extension strap grip 32 that is integrated into the extension strap 5, wherein the extension strap grip 32 is configured to engage with the board. More specifically, the extension strap grip 32 is integrated into the interior surface of the extension strap 5 as depicted in
The plurality of pockets 15 allows the user to store and transport various objects within the carrier body 1. For example, the plurality of pockets 15 can be used to store keys, wallets, phones, snacks, etc. The plurality of pockets 15 is integrated into the first flap 11 and the second flap 12, such that storage space is provided on both sides of the carrier body 1. As the present invention is used around bodies of water, each of the plurality of pockets 15 is waterproof in order to protect the contents stored within the plurality of pockets 15. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of pockets 15 is secured closed using hook and loop fasteners, wherein a pull tab is also provided for each of the plurality of pockets 15 in order to open the plurality of pockets 15.
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of pockets 15 comprises a first pair of pockets 151 and a second pair of pockets 152. The first pair of pockets 151 is integrated into the first flap 11 as depicted in
The carrier body 1 may further comprise a compass 18 and a media unit 19. In reference to
The media unit 19 comprises a transceiver, a microcontroller, and a display screen. The transceiver is used to connect with wireless networks in order to retrieve the desired information. Signals received by the transceiver are sent to and processed by the microcontroller. The microcontroller then dictates the information that is presented to the user through the display screen. The media unit 19 may further comprise one or more controls used to select the information that is presented on the display screen. Alternatively, the display screen may be a touch screen.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application is a 371 of international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application PCT/US2016/055087 filed on Aug. 25, 2016. The PCT application PCT/US2016/055087 claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/209,611 filed on Aug. 25, 2015.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2016/055087 | 8/25/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2017/033151 | 3/2/2017 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180206621 A1 | Jul 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62209611 | Aug 2015 | US |