This invention was not federally sponsored.
Field of the invention: This invention relates to the general field of body boards, and more specifically, to a body board with channels that contain LED light strings. The LED light strings can be permanent or removable. The goal of the invention is to provide a lighted body board for use in the ocean, rivers, or other bodies of water, where the lights form some sort of decorative pattern and/or providing some sort of benefit to the user via the use and/or pattern of the lights.
Brief summary of the invention. In one embodiment, the channels are covered by a removable, water-resistant covering that allows a user to access the LED light strings for removal or replacement, such that a user can custom tailor the appearance of the board to his or her preference. It is contemplated that the channels in the body board can be on some combination of the sides, top and bottom of the board, and can be effectively waterproofed such that a user of the invention can take out the strings of LED's and replace them with others—perhaps of a different color or type—then seal back up the channel and put the body board back in the water. The LED's are powered by a battery that rests in a cavity in the body board, where the cavity is also covered by a water-resistant covering. This allows a user to remove the battery for recharging/replacement. There is also a controller that regulates flow of electrical current from the battery to the LED light strings. This controller can be manually operated on the body board itself, or remote controlled through the use of RF frequencies.
The general concept behind this invention is that it can be used with a variety of board sizes and shapes. While the average “adult” body board is used for purposes of illustration in this application, it is also contemplated that a similar board could be created for children, and even a larger, rescue board version created for lifeguards, coast guard personnel, and other water rescue professionals. The invention is equally applicable to floating devices other than body boards, such as rafts, pool toys, Styrofoam floats, solid inner tubes, and any other device that floats on water and is usable by a person.
In another embodiment, the channels are covered by a non-removable, transparent or translucent cover, such that the LED light strings cannot be removed. In this, and other, embodiments, an internal battery provides the power. This battery is preferably permanently located in a cavity within the body board, and charged through a connect to one or more solar panels.
History of the invention's industry. Surfing and body boards have been known in the prior art for many decades. Surfboards can be decorated in a variety of ways, including airbrushing the foam blank and using different colors of resins. Body boards, on the other hand, are generally made from a molded piece of foam covered “skins” that cover the top, bottom, and sides. These skins can be of different colors, and have designs imprinted on them. One embodiment has fiberclad covers with, optionally, characters on the covers.
The concept of “night surfing” has also been around for decades, as surfers and body boarders try to escape the ever-growing crowds by using a variety of headlamps and other devices to surf during night time.
However, the idea of using lights impregnated into a body board has not been seen in the industry. The current invention combines the best of decorative art and lighting to meet the long-felt need for a customizable body board that also provides safety features.
Thus, the invention is hereby presented. The invention is directed toward a body board, used for riding ocean waves, paddling in lakes and pools, and other aquatic uses. The board has one or more strings of optionally removable LED lights disposed in one or more channels that have been molded or routed into the top, bottom, or sides of the body board. The channels are optionally covered with a water-resistant covering that can be opened to remove or exchange the LED lights. Two or more “grippers” can anchor the cover in place until it is desired to remove the cover. The body board also includes a cavity into which a battery is placed, where the battery powers the LED's, and means of controlling the LED's. The battery cavity is also covered by a water-resistant covering that can be optionally opened to access the battery for removal or replacement.
The invention has two distinct embodiments. First, a preferred embodiment calls for the channels to have a removable cover, such that a user can replace damaged lights and/or customize the lights and patterns through removing the old LED strings and replacing them with new LED strings. Second, a less expensive model calls for the LED light strings to be placed in the channels and covered by a permanent covering. While the user will not be able to access the channels to remove and replace LED light strings, the second embodiment will be less expensive to create and will have greater water-resistance, as there will be no need to make the covers removable. It is also contemplated, with both versions, that a waterproof, solar battery can be installed permanently inside a cavity within the body board, and electrically connected to solar panels also contained within the board, such that the battery is charged by the sun without the need to hook the battery up to an external source of power.
Further, alternative embodiments include having the LED strings removable, but the battery and control permanent, or having the battery and control removable, but the LED light strings are permanent. By make the battery and control removable, it only requires a manufacturer to make the battery compartment waterproof and accessible, which will be easier than creating a removable decorative pattern along a non-flat surface, such as that found on a rail or a curved deck or bottom. Additional embodiments call for LED light strings to be in some combination of deck, rails, and underside of the board. Another embodiment of the idea is to have a remote controller, either a hand-held external device or an internal device, which can be manipulated by the user while the user is using the invention. The controller could control a number of variations of the lights, including changing the color, changing the intensity, operating a flashing sequence, etc.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an enjoyable toy to a youngster who desires a body board with colored LED lights creating a decoration on the body board, where the body board could be used in any aquatic environment, including but not limited to the ocean, lakes, swimming pools, water parks, rivers, bays and estuaries.
Other objects of the invention include
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.
1. Body board deck
2. Body board rails
3. Body board bow
4. Body board stern
5. Channel
6. LED light string
7. Cover
8. Grippers
9. Battery compartment. Can be opened to remove and replace battery, or, alternatively, can be sealed with a battery inside that is connected to a solar charging system located on the deck, sides, or bottom of the board.
10. Access screw.
11. Waterproof control button
12. Decorative pattern.
13. Battery compartment cover, which is water resistant. Can be optionally a fiberclad cover, with or without characters.
One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
It should also be noted that a non-replaceable, less expensive version of the invention is contemplated where the waterproof cover 7 is actually affixed permanently to seal the LED light string 5 into the channel 5. Along with the non-replaceable LED light string, it is contemplated that a permanently-enclosed battery, powered by an external solar charger, could also be embedded permanently in the board.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/261,192 filed Nov. 30, 2015, which is attached to this application and the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62261192 | Nov 2015 | US |