Patent Grant
9180942
The present invention relates generally to the field of water recreation devices and particularly to devices and methods for engagement of a water recreation device by a rider.
Water sports, such as wake boarding, commonly require use of a foot binding system to engage a rider with a water recreation device as the device is pulled along the surface of the water behind a powerboat. Conventional foot binding systems typically include a foot securing means attached to the top surface of a water recreation device. Common foot securing means range from simple strap solutions to complex booting systems.
However, current foot binding systems can be difficult for a rider (particularly a novice rider) to effectively use. For example, a typical foot binding system requires the rider to engage the bindings prior to the start of a ride, and to maintain that contact with the foot bindings while the water recreation device is in motion. Such a design prevents the rider from starting a ride from a more stable position (for example, a prone position) atop the water recreation device, and subsequently transitioning to a position that involves engaging the foot binding system only after the device has achieved planing upon the surface of the water.
Consequently, many potential water recreation device riders who possess lesser physical ability are precluded from using conventional foot binding systems as designed. Furthermore, the obtrusive presence of typical foot binding systems upon the surface of a water recreation device precludes riders from using those systems in ways other than designed (for example, assuming a prone position by lying atop the foot bindings). Simply put, the foot bindings get in the way and, therefore, prevent alternate use of the water recreation device.
Several foot binding systems that feature a low profile exist for use by a rider of a water recreation device. For example, a foot strap that flexes and collapses to permit a rider to lie flat on a water recreation device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,734 to Metiver (hereinafter “Metiver”). However, the baseplates described in the Metiver reference protrude upward from the surface of the water recreation device, presenting uncomfortable contact points for elbows, knees, and other parts of a rider's body that may come into contact with the baseplates. Furthermore, the straps disclosed in the Metiver reference do nothing to cushion contact made by a rider with the outer surface of the straps. Instead, the focus of comfort features in the Metiver reference is limited to the inner surfaces of the straps, which are those surfaces that come into contact with the rider's feet.
Retractable foot binding systems attempt to help a rider maintain comfort while lying in a prone position atop a water recreation device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,394 to Kagan (hereinafter “Kagan”) describes a surfboard foot binding device that is retractable into a recessed cavity in the deck of a surfboard. When in an upward position, a pivotal member of the device creates an inclined plane under which a surfer may position his foot. When in a downward position, the top of the retracted pivotal member of the device creates a relatively flat surface upon which the rider may lie prone comfortably. However, the hardware components left exposed when the Kagan device is in a retracted position, such as hinges, elastic straps, and looped strips, present obstacles atop the water recreation device that may compromise not only rider comfort but also rider safety. Furthermore, the retracted Kagan device does not provide a contact cushion designed for the rider's comfort when he comes into physical contact with the retracted binding device. Also, the Kagan device may present a pinching hazard when retracting.
Collapsible foot binding systems are also designed to provide comfort to a rider lying in a prone position atop a water recreation device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,553 to Wilson (hereinafter “Wilson”) describes a surfboard foot strap system that is collapsible into a recess in a surrounding base. The Wilson system employs inner and outer pads layered on a flat, curved reinforcement member that is made of a resilient, semi-rigid material to give the pads an arched shape as a foot opening. The foot strap system may be substantially flattened by application of downward pressure. However, like the Kagan foot binding system, the Wilson solution does not provide a contact cushion for the rider's comfort when he comes into physical contact with the collapsed device. Also, like the Kagan system, the necessary rigidity of certain components of the Wilson foot binding system may present a pinching hazard when in the downward position.
With the above in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a multifunction engagement apparatus that facilitates selective use of the apparatus as a foot binding or as a contact cushion during towing of a rider on a water recreation device. The present invention further advantageously provides methods by which a multifunction engagement apparatus may be selectively positioned for use by a rider of a water recreation device while the rider transitions between prone, kneeling, and/or standing positions. The present invention also advantageously provides a water recreation device that includes the engagement apparatus that allows for multifunctional use thereof.
These and other objects, features, and advantages according to the present invention are provided by a multifunctional engagement apparatus that may comprise a foot pad and a multifunctional strap. The foot pad may be substantially flat, may have a top surface and a bottom surface, and may have an outer peripheral portion that may have an arcuate shape. For example, and without limitation, an outer peripheral portion of a foot pad may have an hourglass shape or an elliptical shape. The multifunction strap may have a first end and a second opposing end.
The multifunction strap may project outwardly from its ends in relation to the top surface of the foot pad, and may be moveable between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed position. The uncollapsed position may be defined as a multifunction strap being positioned to create a foot opening within a generally arcuate shape. The collapsed position may be defined as a multifunction strap being substantially flattened in relation to the top surface of a foot pad to create a contact cushion.
The multifunction engagement apparatus may be made of one or more elastomeric materials. For example, and without limitation, either or both of the foot pad and the multifunctional strap may be made of neoprene, plastic, rubber, and/or polyurethane. The multifunction strap may have an inner cover coupled with an outer cover, both covers being substantially smooth. The multifunction strap may have at least one layer of padding between an inner cover and an outer cover. The multifunction strap may have a lace system layered between an inner cover and an outer cover. The multifunction strap may have a pocket opening positioned between an inner cover and an outer cover to create a passageway to a lace system. The outer cover may be releasable from either or both of a first and a second end of the multifunction strap to selectively cover or expose a lace system.
The first and the second end of the multifunction strap may be fixedly attached to the foot pad and/or to the surface of a water recreation device using fasteners such as adhesives, screws, and nuts and bolts. A receiving groove may be fixedly attached to the foot pad, and the first and the second end of a multifunction strap may be adjustably attached to a receiving groove using fasteners such as a threaded bolt, a mounting clip, and a set screw. Either or both of the first and second ends of the multifunction strap may be releasably attached to the foot pad using a hook-and-loop fastener.
The water recreation device that may make use of a multifunction engagement apparatus may have a top surface, a bottom surface, a bow, a stern, a port, and a starboard. The water recreation device may have one or more handles disposed on the top surface of the water recreation device aft of the bow. The first and second multifunction engagement apparatus may be disposed side-by-side on the top surface of the water recreation device aft of the one or more handles to support simultaneous engagement by a rider. Simultaneous engagement of the rider with the one or more handles and with the multifunction engagement apparatus may position the rider in a prone, kneeling, or crouching position facing the bow of the riding board.
A method aspect of the present invention is for a rider of a water recreation device to make use of a multifunctional engagement apparatus as the device is being towed along the surface of a body of water. The method may include attaching a tow rope to a tow hook mounted on a water recreation device. The method may include the other end of the tow rope being connected to a water vehicle. The method may include a rider grasping the one or more handles of the water recreation device.
The method may include a rider achieving a prone position atop a water recreation device by positioning the first and second elbows of the rider to rest atop the first and second multifunction straps, respectively. The method may include a rider applying force with his elbows to collapse each of the multifunction straps to its substantially flattened configuration in relation to the surface of the riding board. The method may include a rider maintaining a prone start position until the riding board has achieved a substantially parallel position relative to the surface of the water.
The method may include a rider achieving a kneeling position by placing both knees on the top surface of the riding board. The method may also include a rider lifting his elbows from atop the first and second multifunction straps, thereby allowing multifunction straps to uncollapse due to elasticity. The method may further include a rider positioning the first and second knees of the rider to rest atop the first and second multifunction straps, respectively. The method may still further include a rider collapsing each of the multifunction straps to its substantially flattened configuration in relation to the surface of the riding board.
The method may also include a rider achieving a standing position by placing a first foot into the first engagement member and then placing a second foot into the second engagement member. The method may further include a rider lifting the first and second knees of the rider from atop the first and second multifunction straps, respectively. The method may also include a rider waiting for each of the first and second multifunction straps to resume its substantially arcuate configuration in relation to the surface of the riding board. The method may still further include a rider placing a first foot into the first engagement member and placing a second foot into the second engagement member.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Referring now to
As shown in the embodiment of
For example, and without limitation, the foot pad 120 may be substantially flat, and may have a top surface 121 and a bottom surface 123. The bottom surface 123 of a foot pad 120 may be shaped to engage the top surface of a water recreation device, to be described in greater detail below. The top surface 121 of the foot pad 120 may be contoured to receive a foot. For example, and without limitation, the foot pad 120 may present a cup nearer the rear of the foot pad 120 to receive the heel of a foot, and may present a jam nearer the front of the foot pad 120 to engage the ball of a foot. The foot pad 120 may have an outer peripheral portion that defines an arcuate shape. For example, and without limitation, the foot pad 120 may be generally shaped like an hourglass shape or, alternatively, like an ellipse.
Continuing to refer to
Referring now to
Both a foot pad 120 and a multifunction strap 130 may be made of one or more elastomeric materials to take advantage of the characteristics of elastomers such as strength, elasticity, and water-resistance. For example, and without limitation, a foot pad 120 may be constructed of any combination of neoprene, plastic, rubber, and/or polyurethane. Similarly for example, and without limitation, a multifunction strap 120 may be constructed of any combination of neoprene, plastic, rubber, and/or polyurethane. As shown in
Continuing to refer to
As further illustrated in
Referring now to
In yet another embodiment, either or both of a first end 131 and second end 132 of a multifunction strap 130 may be releasably attached to a foot pad 120 or to a top surface of a water recreation device using a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown). Such a design not only may allow the outer cover 150 to release to expose a lacing system 170 underneath, but also may allow a rider to make unique adjustments of the pitch of the multifunction strap 130 in relation to a rider's foot. For example, and without limitation, the angle of the multifunction strap 130 from a toe-to-heel direction may be adjusted, along with the spread of a lacing system 170, to allow for one or more of the following: 1) different instep fitting, 2) easy access to the multifunction strap when the foot is tilted upwards during insertion, 3) different lacing positions, angles, and fit. A design that employs a hook-and-loop fastener may also act as a quick release, allowing for quick parts replacement (e.g., foot pad 120, lace system 170, covers 150, 160).
Referring now to
As shown in the embodiment of
Referring now additionally to flow chart 710 illustrated in
The method starts at Block 712 where both hands of the rider may be assumed to grasp one or more handles 640 of the water recreation device 630 as a ride begins. Unless a rider determines a ride is finished at Block 714, a rider may choose to assume a prone position (Block 720), a kneeling position (Block 730), or a standing position (Block 740) to start a ride.
Referring additionally to
A rider who chooses to start a ride from a kneeling position (Block 730) or, alternatively, to change from a prone position to a kneeling position (Block 724) after lifting his elbows off of the multifunction straps (Block 726), may place both knees on the uncollapsed multifunction straps 130 (Block 732) while simultaneously grasping one or more handles 640 that may be mounted to the water recreation device 630, as illustrated in the diagram at
A rider who chooses to start a ride from a standing position (Block 740) or, alternatively, to change from a kneeling position to a standing position (Block 734) after lifting his knees off of the multifunction straps (Block 736), may move each foot into an uncollapsed multifunction strap 130 (Block 742) while simultaneously grasping one or more handles 640 that may be mounted to the water recreation device 630, as illustrated in the diagram at
At some point during a ride (Block 716), a rider may determine whether or not he is finished with the ride. If it is determined at Block 714 that the rider has completed the ride, then the method is ended at Block 715.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/592,759 titled Water Recreation Device filed on Dec. 2, 2009, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/200,637 filed on Dec. 2, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,530 titled Tow Rope System and Associated Methods, filed simultaneously herewith, the entire contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3092068 | Brownson | Jun 1963 | A |
| 3219007 | Kiefer | Nov 1965 | A |
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| 4989531 | Humphrey | Feb 1991 | A |
| 5083955 | Echols | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5163860 | Clark | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5167553 | Wilson | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5427047 | Woodfin et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5447116 | Kobayashi | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5634834 | Cole et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5797779 | Stewart | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5820430 | Hornsby et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
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| Entry |
|---|
| U.S. Appl. No. 13/603,530, filed Sep. 5, 2012, Duff. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120329348 A1 | Dec 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61200637 | Dec 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12592759 | Dec 2009 | US |
| Child | 13603579 | US |
