U.S. patent application number 12/152348 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for stealth tail quad surfboard.
Invention is credited to Bill Johnson.
Application Number | 20080287018 12/152348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40027968 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080287018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Bill |
November 20, 2008 |
Stealth tail quad surfboard
Abstract
A tail section for a surfboard includes a substantially v-shaped
notch or cutout intersecting substantially trailing edges formed
between two points. Each of the substantially straight trailing
edges extend to the arcuate side of the body of the surfboard.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Bill; (Oceanside,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRASBURGER & PRICE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 4400
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
40027968 |
Appl. No.: |
12/152348 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60930163 |
May 14, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
441/74 ;
441/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/60 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/74 ;
441/79 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/79 20060101
B63B035/79 |
Claims
1. A surfboard comprising: a body portion formed to have side edges
and to be substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis; said
body portion having a contiguous front portion ahead of a
transverse axis, a center section on either side of said transverse
axis, and a tail section behind said transverse axis; said tail
section having a substantially V-shaped notch formed so that the
point of said V-shaped section is located on said longitudinal
axis; said tail section having a trailing edge adjoining said
substantially V-shaped section at a first end and a second end
adjoining said side edge of the surfboard.
2. The surfboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said first end of
said trailing edge and said second end of said trailing edge are
substantially equidistant from said transverse axis.
3. The surfboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: the distance from
said first end of said trailing edge from said transverse axis is
greater than the distance of said second end of said trailing edge
from said transverse axis.
4. The surfboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: the distance from
said first end of said trailing edge from said transverse axis is
less than the distance of said second end of said trailing edge
from said transverse axis.
5. The surfboard as defined in claim 1 further including a
plurality of fins extending outwardly from said tail section.
6. A substantially symmetrical tail portion for a surfboard
comprising: a pair of substantially arcute sides positioned
substantially equidistant from a line of symmetry passing through
the substantially symmetrical tail portion; each of said
substantially arcute sides terminating in a substantially straight
trailing edge; said substantially straight trailing edge extending
between said substantially arcuate sides and intersecting a
substantially V-shaped cutout; said substantially V-shaped cutout
formed on the line of symmetry of the substantially symmetrical
tail portion.
7. The substantially symmetrical tail portion for a surfboard as
defined in claim 6 wherein the said substantially straight trailing
edges from a substantially acute angle with said line of
symmetry.
8. The substantially symmetrical tail portion for a surfboard as
defined in claim 6 wherein said substantially straight trailing
edges form a substantially right angle with said line of
symmetry.
9. The substantially symmetrical tail portion for a surfboard as
defined in claim 6 wherein the said substantially straight trailing
edges form a substantially obtuse angle with said line of
symmetry.
10. The substantially symmetrical tail section as defined in claim
6 further including a plurality of fins extending outwardly
therefrom
11. A method for increasing the perceived stability of a surfboard
to a rider, said method comprising the steps of: forming a
substantially V-shaped notch in the tail section of the surfboard
about the line of symmetry of the surfboard; forming a
substantially straight trailing edge portion of the tail section of
the surfboard on either side of and intersecting said substantially
V-shaped notch.
12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said substantially
straight trailing edges form a substantially acute angle with said
line of symmetry.
13. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said substantially
straight trailing edges form a substantially right angle with said
line of symmetry.
14. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said substantially
straight trailing edges form a substantially obtuse angle with said
line of symmetry.
15. The method as defined in claim 11 further including the step of
mounting a plurality of fins extending outwardly from said tail
section of said surfboard.
16. A substantially symmetrical surfboard having a pointed front
section, a center section, a tail section and side edges or herein
the improvement comprises; a substantially V-shaped notch aligned
with axis of symmetry of the surfboard cut into the tail section of
the surfboard; substantially straight trailing edges formed on
either side of said substantially straight trailing edge; each of
said substantially straight trailing edges forming a first point at
the intersection of one of said trailing edges and with said
substantially V-shaped notch and a second point at the intersection
of one of said trailing edges with the side edge, wherein
substantially V-shaped notch provides for flexing of each side of
the tail section of the surfboard.
17. The substantially symmetrical surfboard as defined in claim 16
wherein an extension of said substantially straight trailing edge
forms an acute angle with said axis of symmetry
18. The substantially symmetrical surfboard as defined in claim 16
wherein as extension of said substantially straight trailing edge
forms a substantially right angle with said axis of symmetry.
19. The substantially symmetrical surfboard as defined in claim 16
wherein an extension of said substantially straight trailing edge
forms a substantially obtuse angle with said axis of symmetry
20. The substantially symmetrical surfboard as defined in. Claim 16
further including a plurality of fins mounted to the tail section
on either side of said substantially V-shaped notch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S.
Patent Application 60/930,163 filed May 14, 2007
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] The invention described in this patent application was not
the subject of Federally sponsored research or development.
FIELD
[0003] The present invention pertains to surfboards; more
particularly the present invention pertains to the design of the
tail section of a surf board.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Since the beginning of the sport of surfing, surfers have
continually looked for surfboard designs which increase the speed
of the surfboard on the water, which provide greater-stability and
maneuverability and which enable the riding of smaller waves.
Accordingly, the design of surfboards; particularly the design of
the tail section of the surfboard has evolved over the years.
Current configurations of surfboard tail sections which feature
points include the "Swallow" which has two points, the "Bat Tail"
which has three points, the "Diamond" which has three points, and
the "Square" which has two points. Unpointed surfboard tail section
designs having no points include the "Thumbtail", the "Squash" and
the "Pintail".
[0005] While the foregoing designs have made small contributions to
the stability speed and maneuverability of the surfboard in the
water and have enabled many to enjoy the sport of surfing on
smaller waves, the need still remains for a improved design for the
tail section of a surfboard that provides greater stability,
maneuverability, and speed over water than prior art designs.
SUMMARY
[0006] The design for the tail section of a surfboard disclosed
herein includes four corners or points. These four corners or
points define substantially two straight trailing edges formed on
either side of a substantially V-shaped notch or cutout. The
disclosed design for the tail section of a surfboard provides the
surfer greater control of the surfboard with respect to the wave
being ridden.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] A still better understanding of the stealth tail quad
surfboard of the present invention may be had by reference to the
drawing Figures wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom of a surfboard including
a deep V-shaped notch or cutout in the tail section;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bottom of a surfboard including
a shallow V-shaped notch or cutout in the tail section;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the bottom of a surfboard
showing the disclosed tail section design with a quad fin
configuration;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the surfboard
shown in FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5A is top plan view of the perimeter of the tail
section of the surfboard shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 5B is a top plan view of a first alternative perimeter
of the tail section of a surfboard; and
[0014] FIG. 5C is a top plan view of a second alternative perimeter
of the tail section of a surfboard.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The surfboard 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a body
portion 12 bounded by side edges 14 and formed to be substantially
symmetrical about a longitudinal axis L. The body portion 12
includes three contiguous portions: a front section 18, a center
section 20 and a tail section 22: The center section 20 includes a
transverse axis T ahead of which is included a fin 24 on the bottom
26 of the surfboard 10. Ahead of, the transverse axis T is the
front section 18 featuring a pointed nose 28. Behind the transverse
axis T is the tail section 22. It has been found that the design of
the tail section 22 is a key element for providing the stability of
the surfboard as perceived by a rider. Typically mounted on the
tail section 22 are multiple fins 102, 104, 106 and 108.
[0016] As may be seen in FIGS. 3, and 4 the disclosed design for
the tail 32, 34 and section 22 of a surfboard 10 includes four
points or corners 32, 34, and 36, 38. Two sets of two points or
corners 32, 34, and 36, 38 are located on either side of the
longitudinal axis L of a substantially symmetrical surfboard.
Between each of the two sets of points or corners 32, 34, and 36,
38 are located substantially straight trailing edges 33, 37. It has
been found that the use of two sets of two points or corners 32,
34, 36, 38 allows the surfer to hold tighter turns in bigger waves.
Further, the disclosed tail section design 22 including the four
points or corners 32, 34, 36, 38 and the substantially V-shaped
notch or cutout 40 in the tail section 22 allows the surfer greater
stability which provides for follow through a turn when riding a
wave.
[0017] Those who have used a surfboard including the disclosed tail
section design 22 report that the same feel associated with a
surfboard having three fins projecting from the bottom.
Specifically, the surfer feels more hold, more drive and more
projection. However, the disclosed surfboard tail section design 22
provides more speed than typically associated with three fin
surfboards.
[0018] It has also been found that the substantially V-shaped notch
or cutout 40 centered on the longitudinal axis L provides a flexing
action at the tail section 22 of the surfboard. This flexing action
provides the surfer with the ability to make tighter turns while on
the wave and to have greater stability and control when maneuvering
the surfboard 10 on the surface of the water. The flexing tail
section 22 with two sets of two points or corners 32, 34, and 36,
38 and a substantially straight trailing edges 33, 37 on each side
of the substantially V-shaped notch 40 acts like another fin but
with no drag.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first end of the trailing
edge 33 forms a point 34 by its intersection with the substantially
V-shaped notch or cutout 40. The second end of the trailing edge 33
forms a point 32 by its intersection with the side edge 14 of the
surfboard. A similar construction appears on the other side of the
surfboard for trailing edge 37 which is bounded by points 36 and
38.
[0020] Further experimentation with the disclosed invention has
revealed that other outlines of the tail section are enabled. Shown
in FIG. 5A is a tail section 22 perimeter P1 wherein the straight
line distance from the first end or point 134 of the trailing edge
133 to the transverse axis is less than the straight line distance
of the second end or point 132 of the trailing edge 133 the
transverse axis. A similar construction appears on the other side
of the V-shaped notch 140.
[0021] Shown in FIG. 5B is a tail section 22 perimeter P2 wherein
the straight line distance from the first end or point 234 of the
trailing edge 233 to the transverse axis is substantially
equidistant to the straight line distance of the second end or
point 232 of the trailing edge the transverse axis. A similar
construction appears on the other side of V-shaped notch 240.
[0022] Shown in FIG. 5C is a tail section 22 perimeter P3 wherein
the straight line distance from the first end or point 334 of the
trailing edge 333 to the transverse axis is greater than the
straight line distance of the second end or point 332 of the
trailing edge 333 to the transverse axis. A similar construction
appears on the opposite side of V-shaped notch 340.
[0023] A still better understanding of the various perimeters of
the tail section for a surfboard of the proposed invention may be
had by observing that an extension of the trailing edges 133, 137
shown in FIG. 5A forms a substantially acute angle a with the
longitudinal axis L or line of symmetry of the surfboard.
[0024] In FIG. 5 B an extension of the trailing edges 233, 237
forms a substantially perpendicular or a right angle b to the
longitudinal axis L or line of symmetry of the surfboard.
[0025] In FIG. 5C an extension of the trailing edges 333, 337 forms
a substantially obtuse angle c with the longitudinal axis L or line
of symmetry of the surfboard.
[0026] While the present invention has been disclosed according to
its preferred and alternate embodiments, those of ordinary sill in
the art will understand that still other embodiments have been
enabled by the foregoing disclosure. Such other embodiments shall
be included within the scope and meaning of the appended
claims.
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