U.S. patent application number 11/100046 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for "no worries" surfboard key safe.
Invention is credited to Barnes, Peter.
Application Number | 20050227555 11/100046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35061157 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050227555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnes, Peter |
October 13, 2005 |
"No worries" surfboard key safe
Abstract
A modular receptacle for mounting in a surfboard or the like,
for securing articles therein, having a body, a cover plate, shelf
bars, a compressible insert, and screws to provide secure fastening
of the cover plate in the body on the shelf bars. There are
mounting tabs on the exterior of the body to assist in correct
installation of the device into the body of a surfboard or the
like. The device is small, lightweight, and compact. It is
specifically designed to provide secure storage of auto/home keys
and paper money without interfering with the performance of the
surfboard or the like.
Inventors: |
Barnes, Peter; (Satellite
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PETER BARNES
217 N.E. 1ST STREET
SATELLITE BEACH
FL
32937
US
|
Family ID: |
35061157 |
Appl. No.: |
11/100046 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60561197 |
Apr 12, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
441/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/57 20200201;
B63B 32/00 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/074 |
International
Class: |
B63B 035/79 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A modular receptacle to recess in a surfboard or other water
sports related surfing device providing for the safe containment of
items placed therein, comprising: An integrally formed oblong body
having a bottom wall, two long side walls, and two short side walls
having rounded upright corners at all four corners of the oblong
body, and said long walls and said short walls having a ledge
formed by the shelf bars, which is formed on the interior surface
around the interior perimeter of said long and said short walls
which forms an interior ledge below the upper rim of said oblong
body with an aperture below said ledges extending downward to said
bottom wall of the said body. Said oblong body also having four
mounting tabs at the end corners of each said long side wall just
before the said long side wall joins with the said short side wall.
Said short side shelf bars each have a hole of the exact size
necessary, centered in their upper surfaces. A compressible sponge
insert of exactly the size necessary to fit the aperture created in
said oblong body, below said short side shelf bars and said long
side shelf bars in which said shelf bars run the inside perimeter
of said body below the rim of said body, and above the said bottom
wall of said oblong body: A thin integrally formed oblong cover
plate, having four straight edges with the outer corners being
round. There are two longer sides of said cover plate and two
shorter sides of said cover plate. Each of the said shorter sides
having a hole centered in said side which extends completely
through the thickness of said cover plate and which centers exactly
over the said hole in the said short side of said integral short
side shelf bar of said body. Two stainless steel hex screws which
fit exactly the holes in said cover plate and pass through said
cover plate and fasten and fit exactly into said holes in said
short wall shelf bars in said oblong body, which when items are
placed in said oblong body and are secured by said compressible
sponge are sealed by the two set screws fastening said cover plate
firmly flush with the top rim of said oblong body. Said oblong body
with said cover plate and said integral shelf bars and said sponge
insert being flush mounted within an aperture in the bottom of a
water sports board for surfing.
2. A modular receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the outer
dimensions of said cover plate edges are smaller than the inner
dimensions of the integral walls of said body of said receptacle,
said cover plate being received within said body and when placed
therein, will rest on said shelf bars, said holes in said cover
plate being directly above said holes in said short side shelf bars
within said body and when fastened over said sponge insert and
fastened with said screws contains items placed within said
body.
3. A modular receptacle according to claim 1 with exterior mounting
tabs on the exterior long side walls of said oblong body with said
tabs being exactly flush with the top rim of said oblong body, and
mounted on said long side walls just before the juncture of said
rounded corner with said short side walls, and with exterior
mounting tabs according to claim 1 which when the said oblong body
of said receptacle is mounted in said surfboard and said mounting
tabs and said upper rim of said receptacle are removed that said
aperture remaining above said ledges is exactly of the size to
receive said cover plate.
4. A modular receptacle according to claim 1 with interior shelf
bars around the inside perimeter of said oblong body which form an
aperture below the bottoms of said shelf bars which is encompassed
by said long walls and said short walls and said bottom wall for
the insertion of keys. With said interior shelf bars forming a
surface for the placing of said cover plate within the body of said
oblong body and fitted with holes of the exact size to allow the
fastening of said cover plate flush with the rim of said oblong
body.
Description
PARENT CASE TEXT
[0001] Cross reference to Provisional Patent Application
60/561,197, filed Apr. 12, 2004. The inventor claims domestic
priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C., Section. 119 (e) on the basis of
the above referenced Provisional Patent Application.
REFERENCES CITED
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,860 Jul. 7, 1992 KRAFT
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,835 Sep. 11, 1990 HOLLINGSWORTH
STATEMENT
[0004] There was no Federal sponsorship for research and
development of this project
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0005] There is no sequence listing to a computer disc. No computer
disc is submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A serious problem associated with the sports of surfing,
windsurfing, paddle boarding, and knee boarding is: the safe
storage of vehicle and/or domicile keys, and paper money while the
individual is in the ocean enjoying their sport. It is essential to
have a safe and worry free location to store keys/money without the
risk of theft, accidental loss or worry.
[0007] Currently, surfers of all types typically hide or conceal
keys and money, in areas around, on, in or near their vehicles.
These areas are always susceptible to observation by others. These
hiding places leave the surfers vulnerable to theft or loss of not
only funds and possessions, but even of their vehicle itself. The
object of this invention is to provide a safe, easily accessible
compartment which is contained in the board the surfers are taking
with them into the water. This compartment will allow the surfers
to store the aforementioned items safely, and to provide peace of
mind to those who are preparing for and enjoying their board
related water sport.
[0008] This invention is unique and it is expected that it will be
readily accepted and utilized as it is small, lightweight, and
specialized to hold only keys and paper money. This invention uses
standardized surfing industry installation techniques and
materials, and will not adversely affect the structural strength of
the surfing device. This invention can be installed either by the
original manufacturer of the surfing board, or be installed as an
"after market" product by almost any retailer of surfing
equipment.
[0009] A search of the data base indicates only two remotely
similar devices (see references cited, above). Both these devices
are much larger, bulky and complex. They are primarily designed to
be placed in the deck of wind surfing boards. One is large and
rectangular and has many compartments. The other is large and
circular and is nearly as deep as a modern surfboard is thick.
Neither of these have the usability or utility required for the
lightweight water sports boards of today.
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This invention, hereafter referred to as the "No Worries
surfboard key safe", or, "No Worries", is an oblong shaped
receptacle, with a snug fitting lid, small in size and light in
weight, which provides for the safe storage of and convenient
access to, vehicle and/or domicile keys, and paper money.
[0011] It will be countersunk into the bottom surface of a surfing
board or other water sports related device. It will be centered
along the stringer or midline of the surfing device, and it will be
flush with that bottom surface, eliminating interference with the
performance of the surfing device.
[0012] "No Worries" will be composed of a durable lightweight
plastic material as is currently used in the surfing industry for
fin channels, fin cups and leash cups. The main components of "No
Worries" will be produced by an injection molding process to assure
strength, durability, and quality.
[0013] The use of "No Worries" will provide peace of mind for
surfers of all sorts, world wide. No longer will these sportsmen
and women have to worry that a thief might uncover the hiding place
of their car keys or money, for these items will be right there
with them securely fastened to their board. All surfers will now
have peace of mind knowing that when they leave the water that
their vehicles, their possessions and their money will have been
undisturbed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] 1. The view shows an exploded perspective view of the "No
Worries" surfboard key safe, as well as a proportional view of the
key safe inserted in place in the bottom of a standard 9'
surfboard.
A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention is a novel device, characterized by its
compact design light weight and lack of intrusion into the
design/structural strength of the water sports related board into
which it will be inserted.
[0016] With reference to the drawing: There is shown the body of
the key housing 1, which is integrally formed of injection molded
plastic of a type currently in standard usage in water related
board sports manufacturing today.
[0017] Said key housing body has four mounting tabs 8 attached to
the sides of the key housing body 1, flush with the top rim of the
key housing body 1. Said mounting tabs 8 are removed during the
installation process.
[0018] Said key housing body has two shelf bars 7 integral and part
of the inner wall of the key housing body 1, along the longer
inside walls of said key housing body 1.
[0019] Said key housing body 1 has two shelf bars 6 integral and
part of the inner wall of the key housing body 1, along the shorter
inside walls of said key housing body 1.
[0020] There is a compressible sponge insert 2 of the exact size
necessary to fit into the aperture created by the integral four
walls and bottom of the key housing body 1. The compressible sponge
insert 2 fits exactly underneath the two longer side shelf bars 7,
and the two shorter side shelf bars 6, which are along the sides of
the of the integral four walls of the key housing body 1. This
compressible sponge insert 2, when in place, secures and prevents
movement of objects placed into the key housing body 1.
[0021] There is a cover plate 3 which is integrally formed of
injection molded plastic currently in standard usage in water
related board sports, and which is the same material utilized in
the key housing body 1. The cover plate 3 is exactly of the size
necessary to fit snugly into the key housing body 1. In use, the
cover plate 3 rests precisely on top of the long side shelf bars 7
and the short side shelf bars 6, and within the key housing body 1,
flush with the top rim of the key housing body 1.
[0022] There are two hex screws 4, of stainless steel, which fasten
the cover plate 3 into the shorter side shelf bars 6 of the key
housing body 1.
[0023] The holes in the cover plate 3 for the hex screws 4
precisely fit over the holes in the short side shelf bars 6, and
are precisely the size necessary for the hex screws 4 to firmly
fasten the cover plate 3 flush with the top of the key housing body
1.
[0024] Reference then the view of a surfboard with the No Worries
surfboard key safe 5 inserted along the center stringer of the
surfboard just forward of the fin.
[0025] The installation of the "No Worries" follows the industry
standardized procedures for the placement of fin channels or fin
boxes, as follows:
[0026] The surf board is placed bottom up and is secured to the
appropriate racks or stands for this purpose.
[0027] The "No Worries" is placed in the desired position long the
centerline/stringer of the board, and its outline is marked. A jig
may placed and used for this purpose.
[0028] A high speed router with the appropriate bit is utilized to
cut an aperture in the bottom of the surfing board slightly larger
in all respects than the body of the "No Worries", and as deep as
is necessary for the body of the key safe to rest on the stringer,
and the mounting tabs to rest on the outer surface of the
surfboard.
[0029] At this point, masking tape should be applied to the bottom
of the surfboard, around the aperture, leaving a margin of
{fraction (1/16)}" to 1/8" of space between the outer edge of the
aperture and the inner edge of the masking tape.
[0030] The body of the "No Worries surfboard key safe is then
preliminarily wiped with acetone to ensure a good bond with the
resins used to locate and fasten the body of the device within the
body of the surfboard. A small amount of catalyzed resin is painted
on the bottom of the body of the "No Worries", as well as on the
upward facing surface of the aperture made within the body of the
surfboard.
[0031] The body of the device is then placed and centered within
the aperture, and held in place with a small weight until the
catalyzed resin has hardened. There should be a space of between
{fraction (1/16)}" to 1/8" of an inch space between the outer edge
of the body of the device and the inner edges of the aperture, all
around the perimeter of the body of the device.
[0032] A mixture of resin and glass micro balloons, of the
consistency necessary to form a loose flowing paste, is then
catalyzed and poured into the space between the body of the "No
Worries" surfboard key safe and the walls of the aperture. When
this is hardened, the body of the device is permanently emplaced in
the body of the surfing board.
[0033] Then, utilizing a router or a power sander, or hand sanding
techniques, the tabs and upper lip of the device is sanded flush
with the bottom of the surfboard.
[0034] The installer may then wish to further seal this
installation by painting the rim of the device and sanded areas of
the bottom of the surf board with a gloss resin and finish by
buffing to a high gloss. Alternatives may include the installation
of another layer of fiberglass cloth over the device, the use of
various Teflon sealers, or a commercial polyurethane spray as
sealers.
[0035] Following this one may insert a key into the body of the
device, place the compressible foam sponge on top of the key within
the body of the device and fasten down the cover plate using the
two hex screws which fit into the holes in the shorter edges of the
cover plate and which extend into the two holes in the shorter bars
of the inner ledge of the device.
[0036] Given that the proper installation of the "No Worries"
surfboard key safe has been made, this 0.875" deep, 3.75" long and
1.813" wide device provides minimum weight and size interference in
the high performance surfing crafts of today. Along with the
assurance that one's surfing performance will not be affected,
there is an absolute assurance that one's keys and money are safe,
and that at the end of the day one can drive home with "No
Worries".
[0037] After having described and illustrated the invention as well
as the preferred embodiment, it is understood that minor
modifications or changes may be made therein without abandoning the
spirit or function of the invention as stated in the appended
claims.
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