Devices and Methods for Carrying and Storing a Surfboard

Abstract

A device for carrying a surfboard comprises an elongate base strap having a first end, a second end, a front side, a rear side, and a total length L measured the first and the second ends. In addition, the device comprises a first elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 1 and a free end including a ring. Further, the device comprises a second elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 2 and a free end including a ring. The base strap includes a first pair of attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap, and a second pair of attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap.

1 . A device for carrying a surfboard comprising:
 an elongate base strap having a first end, a second end, a front side, a rear side, and a total length L measured the first and the second ends;   a first elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 1  and a free end including a ring;   a second elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 2  and a free end including a ring; and   wherein the base strap further comprises a first pair of spaced apart attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap between point P 1  and the first end, and a second pair of spaced apart attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap between point P 2  and the second end.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base strap further comprises a first non-slip pad disposed on the rear side of the base strap proximal the first end and a second non-slip pad disposed on the rear side of the base strap proximal the second end. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first non-slip pad is positioned at a distance d 1  measured from the first end, and the second non-slip pad is positioned at a distance d 2  measured from second end, wherein each distance d 1  and d 2  are between 10% and 25% of the total length L. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the distances d 1  and d 2  are substantially the same. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein each non-slip pad comprises virgin rubber. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first pair of attachment members are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other, and the second pair of attachment members are adapted to be releasably coupled to each other. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first pair of attachment members comprise mating Velcro® sections and the second pair of attachment members comprise mating Velcro® sections. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the base strap, the first extension strap, and the second extension strap each comprise ballistic nylon webbing. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2  wherein each ring is a D-ring. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising a shoulder pad coupled to the base strap between the point P 1  and the point P 2 , wherein the shoulder pad slidingly engages the base strap. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first and second ends of the base strap each comprise folded and sewn corners adapted to be advanced through one of the rings. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first pair of attachment members are positioned between the first end and a distance D 1  measured from first end, and the second pair of attachment members are positioned between the second end and a distance D 2  measured from the second end, wherein the distances D 1  and D 2  are between about 15% and 35% of the total length L. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the distances D 1  and D 2  are substantially the same and are each between about 20% and 30% of the total length L. 
   
   
       14 . A method for carrying a surfboard having a front end, a rear end, and lateral side edges comprising:
 (a) providing a surfboard carrying device including:
 an elongate base strap having a first end, a second end, a front side, a rear side, and a total length L measured the first and the second ends, the base strap including a first pair of spaced apart attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap between point P 1  and the first end, and a second pair of spaced apart attachment members positioned on the front side of the base strap between point P 2  and the second end; 
 a first elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 1  and a free end including a ring; 
 a second elongate extension strap having a fixed end coupled to the rear side of the base strap at a point P 2  and a free end including a ring; 
   (b) forming a first loop with the first elongate strap and the first end of the base strap;   (c) forming a second loop with the second elongate strap and the second end of the base strap;   (d) positioning the front end of the surfboard through the first loop; and   (e) positioning the rear end of the surfboard through the second loop.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein (c) comprises:
 inserting the first end through the ring of the first extension strap;   positioning the ring of the first extension strap between the first pair of attachment members;   folding the first end back onto the base strap; and   coupling the first pair of attachment members to each other face-to-face.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein (d) comprises:
 inserting the second end through the ring of the second extension strap;   positioning the ring of the second extension strap between the second pair of attachment members;   folding the second end back onto the base strap; and   coupling the second pair of attachment members to each other face-to-face.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein (d) comprises positioning the first loop about the front one-third of the surfboard and (e) comprises positioning the second loop about the rear one-third of the surfboard. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising positioning the portion of the base strap between the points P 1  and P 2  over the shoulder of an individual. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the base strap further comprises a first non-slip pad disposed on the rear side of the base strap proximal the first end and a second non-slip pad disposed on the rear side of the base strap proximal the second end. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising positioning the first non-slip pad and the second non-slip pad about one of the edges of the surfboard; and positioning the fixed end of the first elongate strap and the fixed end of the second elongate strap proximal the other edge of the surfboard. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising extending each extension strap along a first side of the surfboard extending between the lateral side edges, and positioning each ring along the first side of the surfboard.