Surf-Riding Board or Sailing Board

This invention relates to a surf-riding board or sailing board.

Ever since surf-riding boards and sailing boards (hereinafter referred to merely as "boards") have been built, their builders have tried to obtain a more perfect adaption to different demands by providing the boards with an individual form. As variables, in the first place, the length, the width, the outward shape of the board, the disposition of the thickness (volume), the shape of the part below the water line in the longitudinal direction, and the shape of the part below the water line in cross section have been studied. These variables can be combined in many different ways to influence the sailing qualities of the board.

Also, a flexible design of the shape of the part below the water line in the longitudinal direction has been considered. In this connection, see the magazine Surf No. 8/1985 at pages 30 and 31 (Delius Klasing & Co., Siekerwall 21, 4800 Bielefeld, West Germany). However, so far a design as depicted in that magazine article could not be realized.

By an exploitation of the variables listed above, a rather good adaption of the boards to the specific requirements (speed, maneuvering capability, all around qualities, rocking stability, etc.) could be reached. However, this adaption was reached at the expense of other qualities. The more a board was constructed in view of a certain task, the more other aspects had to be neglected.

The invention is based on the object of maintaining the form of the conventional boards, while, nevertheless, rendering them more stable in use and improving their sailing qualities.

According to the invention, the foregoing problem is solved by the fact that such a board consists of an inflexible floating body and two flexible side portions integrated into the inflexible floating body. The inflexible floating body preferably extends from the stern to the mast foot. Between the side portions, the inflexible floating body preferably tapers in the form of a narrow bridge Additionally, the flexible side portions are preferably rigidly connected to the inflexible floating body, having a base portion (called a "resilient carrier") consisting of an inflexible laminate of synthetic material and a resilient filling material consisting of a synthetic material or a rubber material. The flexible side portions can be formed so that the inflexible floating body, from the bridge to the edge of the board, is designed in such a way that this part of the board can resiliently deform.

The progress of the invention is to be seen in the improved sailing qualities of the boards. In comparison with conventional boards, a board with flexible side portions, due to the springy and cushioning effect of the resilient foam core, runs more calmly and provides a better maneuverability, an improve jumping quality, and a better sailing comfort. By means of the flexible side portions, it is possible to construct boards that are both fast and highly maneuverable.

FIG. 1 is a cross section through a first embodiment of the board along the line I--I in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view (i.e., a view onto the undersurface of the first embodiment of the board).

FIG. 3 is a cross section through a second embodiment of the board along the line III--III in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view (i.e., a view onto the undersurface of the second embodiment of the board).

The reference numeral 7 identifies the prow, and the reference numeral 5 identifies the stern of a board. The reference numeral 9 identifies the mast foot. The inflexible floating body is identified by the reference numeral 8, and the flexible side portions are identified by the reference numeral 1. The reference numeral 4 identifies the outward edges of the flexible side portions 1, and the reference numeral 2 identifies a narrow bridge to which the inflexible floating body 8 tapers continuously from the whole width of the board at symmetrical points 6 about one-half and preferably approximately 52% of the overall length of the board from the prow 7 to a width of about 3 cm at a point 10 about two-thirds and preferably approximately 69% of the overall length of the board from the prow 7. Both side portions 1 follow the bridge 2 on one side and, on the other side, the outline of a normal board.

FIG. 1 shows the flexible side portions 1. The reference numeral 3 identifies a thin, flexible laminate of synthetic material fixed to the base of the narrow bridge 2. The hollow space between the thin, flexible laminate 3 and the narrow bridge 2 is filled by a resilient, cushioning material such as an artificial foam. The flexible side portions 1 extend from the stern over a length of at least 20 cm towards the front. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the flexible side portions 1 can extend up to the mast foot 9.

During the movement of the board, the flexible side portions 1 adapt to the waves and different water resistances due to their resilient deformability and provide a good stability to the board.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the inflexible floating body 8 tapers within the range of the flexible side portions 1 from the outward edges 4 to the narrow bridge 2, as can be seen best from the cross sectional representation in FIG. 3. The part of the complete body eliminated by the tapering is replaced by a flexible material, preferably a resilient synthetic material The narrow bridge 2 tapers to a width of 3 cm. Due to the remaining narrow bridge 2, from which the tapering on both sides to the outward edges 4 of the board starts, the shape of the board's part below the water line in the longitudinal direction remains essentially stable, whereas the shape of the board's part below the water line in cross section deforms in response to pressure, returning to its original form when the pressure decreases.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.