U.S. patent application number 10/246935 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for board sling.
Invention is credited to Botto, Gary, Iannini, Marc.
Application Number | 20040056060 10/246935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31992397 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040056060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iannini, Marc ; et
al. |
March 25, 2004 |
Board sling
Abstract
A surfboard sling device and method of manufacture provides a
sling worn by a user comprising: a substantially rectangular main
section made of a beach towel flexible cloth material called a main
sling member having a vertical length longer than a horizontal
width, with opposite ends of the vertical lengths having attachment
points at all four corners, so that the main sling member can be
unfurled and used as a beach towel, and also including a pair of
fabric straps attached at attachment points at opposite ends of the
vertical lengths, so that each strap is parallel to a horizontal
width, and the substantially rectangular main section made of
flexible cloth conforming to the waxed and curved shape of the
surfboard to maintain separation between opposite ends of the
straps, whereby a user can carry a surfboard hands free by wearing
the device on a shoulder after looping the fabric straps over a
shoulder and inserting a surfboard in a folded cavity formed by
opposite ends of the vertical lengths of the substantially
rectangular main section.
Inventors: |
Iannini, Marc; (Newport
Beach, CA) ; Botto, Gary; (Newport Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF CLEMENT CHENG
17220 NEWHOPE STREET #127
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
CA
92708
US
|
Family ID: |
31992397 |
Appl. No.: |
10/246935 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/602 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/87 20200201;
A45F 3/15 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101; A45C 3/10 20130101; A45F
3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/602 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/02; A45C
013/30; A63B 055/00 |
Claims
1. A surfboard sling device worn by a user comprising: a
substantially rectangular main section made of flexible cloth
material called a main sling member having a vertical length longer
than a horizontal width, opposite ends of the vertical lengths
having attachment points at all four corners, whereby the main
sling member can be unfurled and used as a beach towel, a pair of
fabric straps attached at attachment points at opposite ends of the
vertical lengths, each strap parallel to a horizontal width, the
substantially rectangular main section made of flexible cloth
conforming to the waxed and curved shape of the surfboard to
maintain separation between opposite ends of the straps, whereby a
user can carry a surfboard hands free by wearing the device on a
shoulder after looping the fabric straps over a shoulder and
inserting a surfboard in a folded cavity formed by opposite ends of
the vertical lengths of the substantially rectangular main
section.
2. The sling of claim 1, further comprising: a support pad having a
padding portion and a flexible portion, the support pad of planar
configuration having an unfurled open position and a wound closed
position, the flexible portion being able to enclose one or two
straps securely and bias the support pad in the closed position by
hook and loop tape attached to opposite sides of connection points
between the flexible portion and the padding portion.
3. The sling of claim 1, further comprising: a pocket made of the
same material as the main sling member sewn and attached to the
main sling member, an opening edge of the pocket facing the top
edge of the main sling member.
4. The sling of claim 3, wherein: the pocket is rectangular having
an opening edge about 6 inches from the top edge of the main sling
member.
5. The sling of claim 3, wherein: the pocket can be closed by hook
and loop tape sewn into opposite sides of the opening of the
pocket.
6. The sling of claim 3, wherein: the pocket allows the device to
be folded upon itself and stowed into the pocket for storage, the
pocket additionally allowing a user to store articles.
7. The sling of claim 3, wherein: the pocket is shaped to allow the
device to be folded upon itself and stowed into the pocket for
storage or shipping, whereby the pocket additionally allows a user
to store articles when the device is deployed.
8. The method of making a board sling device by modifying a
commonly and commercially available beach towel comprising the
steps of: first selecting a desirable beach towel to use as the
board sling main section, connecting one fabric strap to the ends
of the top edge of the beach towel which is called the board sling
main section, connecting one fabric strap to the ends of the bottom
edge of the beach towel which is called the board sling main
section.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
reinforcing the top and bottom edges of the beach towel with
shorter reinforcing fabric strips, shorter reinforcing fabric
strips having opposite ends where fabric straps can be
connected.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
reinforcing the left and right sides of the beach towel with longer
reinforcing fabric strips.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: sewing a
pocket in the main section of the beach towel, the pocket the
pocket made to close by affixing opposite strips of hook and loop
tape across the opening of the pocket.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: attaching
a support pad to one or two straps, the support pad having a
padding portion and a flexible portion, the support pad of planar
configuration having an unfurled open position and a wound closed
position, the flexible portion being able to enclose one or two
straps securely and bias the support pad in the closed position by
hook and loop tape attached to opposite sides of connection points
between the flexible portion and the padding portion.
13. A surfboard sling device worn by a user comprising: a main
section made of flexible cloth material called a main sling member
having a vertical length and a horizontal width, opposite ends of
the vertical lengths have attachment points at vertices of the main
sling member, a pair of fabric straps attached at attachment points
at opposite ends of the vertical lengths, each strap parallel to a
horizontal width, a cavity fold created when a user folds the main
sling member and joins the upper and lower sling straps, the cavity
fold capable of holding a surfboard, the main section made of
flexible cloth conforming to the waxed and curved shape of the
surfboard to maintain separation between opposite ends of the
straps, whereby a user can carry a surfboard hands free by wearing
the device on a shoulder after looping the fabric straps over a
shoulder and inserting a surfboard in a folded cavity formed by
opposite ends of the vertical lengths of the substantially
rectangular main section.
14. The sling of claim 13, further comprising: a support pad having
a padding portion and a flexible portion, the support pad of planar
configuration having an unfurled open position and a wound closed
position, the flexible portion being able to enclose one or two
straps securely and bias the support pad in the closed position by
hook and loop tape attached to opposite sides of connection points
between the flexible portion and the padding portion.
15. The sling of claim 13, further comprising: a pocket made of the
same material as the main sling member sewn and attached to the
main sling member, an opening edge of the pocket facing the top
edge of the main sling member.
16. The sling of claim 15, wherein: the pocket is rectangular
having an opening edge about 6 inches from the top edge of the main
sling member.
17. The sling of claim 15, wherein: the pocket can be closed by
hook and loop tape sewn into opposite sides of the opening of the
pocket.
18. The sling of claim 15, wherein: the pocket is shaped to allow
the device to be folded upon itself and stowed into the pocket for
storage or shipping, whereby the pocket additionally allows a user
to store articles when the device is deployed.
Description
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0001] Surfing in the ocean is a popular sport that requires a
surfboard. Surfboards are watercrafts that are stored out of water
and must be portaged to the ocean for use. In the history of
surfing, some surfboards have regularly exceeded the users' height.
Carrying an elongated load such as a surfboard can be cumbersome
and walking an extended distance with a board can be tiring. Often
times, the best surfing spots in the world require an extended hike
across treacherous terrain to reach the ocean. A variety of devices
have been invented to carry an elongated load such as a
surfboard.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,551 by Conroy shows a lightweight
carrier for transporting a surfboard. The carrier is fastened to
into one end of the load by a padded cross member, which carries
the load. The surfer can then carry the opposite end of the load.
This invention helps surfers carry surfboards across long distances
of road where the road is paved. Unfortunately, it requires the use
of at least one hand and does not go up steps.
[0003] A board carrying apparatus was invented by Silberberg as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,989 and includes a handle
connected to a rigid carrier bar. The carrier bar holds a plurality
of straps that support a sailboard or surfboard.
[0004] Inventor Frietze in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,101 describes a body
board carrying device comprising a plurality of adjustable straps
fashioned into loops to encircle various sports equipment that can
hold a variety of miscellaneous items. This configuration has the
drawback of a complex system of straps that would be compromised by
particles of silica sand from the beach.
[0005] Another attempt at a surfboard carrying device was invented
by Savage in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,344. A carrying case includes a
flexible soft portion and a rigid hard portion for transporting a
surfboard so as to prevent damage to the surfboard fins. The carry
case is constructed so that at least one surf board can be carried,
with a tail portion of the surfboard, including the fans,
protectively encapsulated within a the hard case portion thereby
preventing damage due to impact and mishandling of the case during
transport. The Savage invention is an improvement on the surfboard
bag allowing transportation on airplanes and buses.
[0006] Yet another device for carrying recreational boards is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,254 issued to inventor Challoner.
The carrier case for a recreational board contains a base and a
first and second engagement pouch or compartment for securing a
recreational board to the base. This carrying case has the
advantage of protecting the ends of a board while in transport.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a view of a user operating the device while riding
a bicycle.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a view of a user operating the device while
standing.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a view of the device when it is opened and laid
flat.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a primary object of the invention to offer a device
that allows a surfer to carry a surfboard hands free while walking
an extended distance, riding a bicycle or traversing terrain that
requires use of both hands.
[0011] It is a secondary object of the invention to offer a washing
machine compatible device that also carries accessories such as a
wet suit or surf accessories.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] The present invention includes a 101 main sling member made
of terry cloth towel material. The main member is of rectangular
shape having a vertical dimension greater than a horizontal
dimension. The vertical dimension is preferably 48 in. long and the
horizontal dimension is preferably 27 in. wide. The best mode
consists of using a 101 main sling member that is a beach towel, as
they are widely available. The main sling member creates a cavity
fold 150 between an upper and lower edge to hold a surfboard. Other
recreational boards such as boogie boards, and sailboards can also
be held and transported in the sling.
[0013] A top edge 310 of the FIG. 1(a), 101 main sling member
parallel to the horizontal dimension opposes a 320 bottom edge of
the main sling member, also parallel to the horizontal dimension.
Preferably, respective strips 311 of polypropelene fabric reinforce
the top 310 and bottom edge 320. A strip of polypropylene fabric
311 being linearly shaped is preferably rectangular and has two
ends.
[0014] A pair of straps 120 is sewn on opposite ends of the 101
main sling member parallel to the horizontal width. Preferably, the
straps 120 each has two connection points 325 at the two ends of
the reinforcing polypropylene fabric 311. The 120 straps should be
made of polypropylene fabric.
[0015] Optionally, a FIG. 2, 210 pocket made of the same material
as the 101 main sling member can be sewn and attached to the 101
main sling member. The pocket is preferably rectangular having a
vertical dimension of 8 in and a horizontal dimension of 10 in.
Preferably, the 212 opening edge of the pocket is 6 in. from the
top edge of the 101 main member.
[0016] The 210 pocket can be closed by hook and loop tape sewn into
opposite sides of the opening of the pocket. The device can be
unfurled and used as a beach towel.
[0017] A 210 pocket, if made large enough, allows the device to be
folded upon itself and stowed into the 210 pocket for storage. A
210 pocket additionally allows a user to store accessory items such
as surfboard wax.
[0018] A surfboard fits into a 150 folded cavity formed by opposite
ends of the vertical lengths of the substantially rectangular main
section.
[0019] A user puts one strap over the shoulder while holding the
opposite 120 strap. This creates a cavity formed by the 101 main
sling member. The user then places one or two surfboards and
optionally other equipment inside the cavity. A user places the
middle portion of a surfboard inside the 150 cavity and balances
the surfboard according to the user's natural center of gravity.
The user then puts the other strap over the shoulder, which wraps
the top and bottom ends of the 101 main sling member around the
surfboard. The terry cloth material of the 101 main sling member
conforms to the waxed and curved shape of the surfboard to maintain
separation between ends of the straps and ends of reinforcing
strips along the horizontal direction. With both 120 straps over
the shoulder a user can carry a surfboard without using hands,
which allows a user to ride a bicycle or carry other equipment
while walking over sand.
[0020] The opposing 120 straps connected to the top and bottom ends
of the 101 main member can be connected to each other. Connecting
the straps improve ease of use.
[0021] While the user carries the device hands free, the user can
access the 210 optional pocket.
[0022] An optional support pad 250 made of soft cloth, foam or gel
padding alleviates stress concentration around a user shoulder and
slides along and relative to a strap for ease of adjustment. The
supporting pad 250 is of planar shape when opened. The support pad
250 has a padding portion and a flexible portion. The flexible
portion can open and close. The flexible portion can wrap around a
strap and close by hook and loop tape at a pad connection point
between the flexible portion and the support pad. Alternatively,
hook and loop tape can be attached to the flexible portion alone
according to configurations commonly known in the industry. The
support pad 250 thus folds open to accommodate and attach to a
strap 120 and can accommodate both straps 120. A variety of support
pads 250 currently in widespread use and known in the industry can
be used with the board sling.
[0023] After the user arrives at the surfing spot the user unfurls
the device that is then used as a beach towel. After a day at the
beach, the device may be covered with sand. A user can shake the
sand loose from the device before going home.
[0024] Modification from an Existing Towel
[0025] The board sling can be created by modifying an existing
beach towel that is commonly and commercially available in a wide
variety of styles and designs.
[0026] The process of modification comprises several steps. The
first step consists of selecting a desirable beach towel. The towel
is used as the 101 board sling main section. A 120 strap is
connected to the ends of the top edge of the 101 beach towel board
sling main section. A 120 strap is connected to the ends of the
bottom edge of the 101 beach towel board sling main section.
Optionally, the top and bottom edges of the beach towel can be
reinforced with reinforcing fabric strips 311. The left and right
sides of the beach towel can be reinforced with fabric strips as
well. The reinforcing fabric strips 311 have opposite ends 325
where 120 fabric straps can be connected. Optionally, a pocket can
be sewn in the main section of the beach towel. The pocket can be
biased closed by affixing opposite strips of hook and loop tape
across the opening of the pocket 212.
* * * * *