Patent Application
20180334228
This disclosure is directed to water activities and, more particularly, to stand up paddle boards.
With the advent of communication and Internet-based technologies, many people have spent increasing more time interacting with electronic gadgets as their pastime rather than participating in outdoor sports for recreation and exercise. However, if these people understood that various sports activities on land, sea, or air are beneficial not only for their health but also for their whole being, they would probably be more likely to pursue such activities. One of the latest outdoor sports activities which is now becoming popular in water sports is the use of a stand up paddle board. There are many choices now appearing in the market in terms of paddle board design, style, and safety features. However, unfortunately, it often too easy for novice and even experienced paddlers to be taken out by ocean currents or to become lost at sea. Unlike larger vessels, a conventional paddle board simply does not contain proper safety equipment for a user to call for help or to assist the user in maintaining his or her health and safety until help arrives.
Thus, there remains a need for improved safety aspects and features of stand up paddle boards.
Implementations of the disclosed technology are generally directed to a stand up paddle board safety device that is configured to provide many safety features that may be of significant assistance to users, especially when navigating in open seas. A sleeve may be implemented within a paddle board to allow for a watertight dry box to be secured therein, in certain instances below a non-slip pad covering the surface of the board. A number of safety-related items may be stored within the paddle board safety box to assist the user in the event that they find themselves in an emergency situation. In certain embodiments, a sea anchor may be stored in a separate compartment and can be deployed to help keep the paddle board stable in rough water.
Implementations of the disclosed technology are generally directed to a stand up paddle board safety device including a paddle board safety box that may be configured to stow various types of survival gear. The paddle board safety box may be watertight and/or formed to be contained below the top surface of the paddle board, e.g., within a paddle board safety box sleeve that is integrated with the paddle board. The paddle board safety box may be easily removed and taken away from the paddle board as needed.
In certain embodiments, the safety box may be concealed under a non-slip pad covering the surface of the paddle board and it may also be covered by a fiberglass panel, e.g., for added protection and rigidity. The paddle board safety box may be secured by one or more coupling portions such as a clip or latch. Tracks may be cut into the sleeve or the paddle board itself, wherein the safety box may be configured to slide into the tracks and further be clicked therein such that the box may be kept securely in place.
A number of safety-related items may be stored within the dry box to assist the user in the event that they are in an emergency situation. Items that may be stored in the safety box may include, but are not limited to, the following: an Emergency Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), red smoke canisters, a rocket flare, a handheld flare, a handheld marine VHF radio, a solar blanket, a whistle, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, an emergency ration with water and non-perishable food, a laminated instruction pamphlet, or shark repellent.
In certain embodiments, the paddle board may include a compartment configured to hold a sea anchor suitable for helping the user keep the paddle board stable in rough water, for example. The sea anchor may be configured to pop out of the compartment in the paddle board and lessen the drift of the paddle board when a heavy current is encountered, thus keeping the paddle board facing the current to maximize stability. This safety feature may prevent the paddle board from dragging further in a short while, as ocean currents can be strong. Such action may substantially reduce the search area.
Alternatively or in addition thereto, the paddle board may contain a bungee net for additional cargo such as a personal flotation device, D-Loops for affixing rope or straps, a leash to tether the board to the user, and a carbon fiber paddle.
Alternatively or in addition thereto, the paddle board be equipped with a micro GPS unit to enable the board to be tracked remotely for emergency rescue purposes, and also to allow the user to track their progress and their journeys for recreational purposes.
In certain embodiments, the paddle board may have a flat rocker and a recessed standing spot for improved stability and confidence development. A displacement hull improves glide and is ideal for moving in calm water. The paddle board may be designed with a dual-density EPS core which includes layers of fiberglass and high-quality epoxy, utilizing high heat and pressure, then bonded to a veneer. The paddle board may also have a single fin which improves tracking and a center handle that makes carrying of the stand up paddle board easier for the user.
In the example, the safety box coupling portions 301-308 may be extruding portions of the safety box 300 or generally rectangular (or other suitably shaped) members, e.g., plastic guide rails, that are attached to the paddle board safety box 300, and the safety box sleeve coupling portions 401-408 may be channels formed within the sleeve 400 and configured to receive the guide rails 301-308. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable number and type of coupling devices, components, or mechanisms may be implemented to enable the safety box 300 to be adequately secured within the safety box sleeve 400.
Also, in certain embodiments, one or more securing mechanisms, such as slide latches or other suitable devices or components, may be integrated with and/or within either or both of the safety box 300 and the safety box sleeve 400 to maintain a secure positioning of the safety box 300 within the safety box sleeve 400.
In the example, the safety box 300 further includes two locking mechanisms 312 and 314 that are configured to keep the safety box closed 300, e.g., while the paddle board is in use in water. The locking mechanisms 312 and 314 may be stainless steel over-center latches, for example, though it will be appreciated that any suitable number or type of locking mechanisms may be implemented.
In the example, the safety box 300 also includes a handle 310 that may be configured to allow a user to readily and easily remove, e.g., lift, the paddle board safety box 300 from within the safety box sleeve 400. The handle 310 may be made of rubber or nylon webbing, for example, or any other suitable material.
In the example, the paddle board safety box 300 also includes an external layer 324 that is situated on top of the lid 322. The external layer 324 may be a rubber deck pad or “traction pad” and the external layer may be configured to substantially match the paddle board deck, e.g., so as to provide a seamless appearance when the safety box 300 is installed. A rubber gasket or other suitable component may be integrated within or under the external layer 324 so as to establish a water-proof environment within the safety box 300 when the box 300 is locked in the closed position.
The previously described versions of the disclosed subject matter have many advantages that were either described or would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill. Even so, all of these advantages or features are not required in all versions of the disclosed apparatus, systems, or methods.
Additionally, this written description makes reference to particular features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of those particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in the context of other aspects and embodiments.
Also, when reference is made in this application to a method having two or more defined steps or operations, the defined steps or operations can be carried out in any order or simultaneously, unless the context excludes those possibilities.
Furthermore, the term “comprises” and its grammatical equivalents are used in this disclosure to mean that other components, features, steps, processes, operations, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” or “which comprises” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or it can contain components A, B, and C along with one or more other components.
Also, directions such as “right” and “left” are used for convenience and in reference to the diagrams provided in figures. But the disclosed subject matter may have a number of orientations in actual use or in different implementations. Thus, a feature that is vertical, horizontal, to the right, or to the left in the figures may not have that same orientation or direction in all implementations.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited except as by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/509,604, filed May 22, 2017, entitled “SURVIVAL STAND UP PADDLE BOARD,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62509604 | May 2017 | US |
