Environmentally Friendly Hollow Wooden Surfboard

Abstract

A surfboard, the construction of which makes a minimal impact on the environment, the components are readily available, and which, if disposed of, biodegrades. The surfboard delivers performance characteristics comparable to any currently commercially produced wave-propelled craft, with no significant increase in materials costs. The surfboard is composed of a pattern of wood veneers over a wooden framework, creating a hollow wooden body. All pieces used in construction are connected using food grade gelatin glue. Casein from skim milk added to the glue provides a general water-resistance to the structure. Fins attached to the bottom of the surfboard give stability to the craft in the water. Routed fin boxes incorporated into the body of the surfboard, supplied with a wooden locking mechanism, allow the fins to be quickly changed for various wave conditions. A wooden leash plug as part of the construction permits a leash to be connected to the surfboard. The whole is varnished with a waterproof combination of rosin and tung oil.

1 . A surfboard made in an environmentally friendly manner with materials derived from renewable resources, consisting of:
 a wooden framework incorporating wooden fin boxes and a wooden leash plug;   a skin covering the wooden framework comprised of a system of overlapping hardwood veneers adhered with food grade gelatin glue, and   a finish applied to the overall surface to increase the durability and water resistance of the surfboard.   
   
   
       2 . Stabilizing fins, intended to be inserted into and projecting downward from the bottom of the surfboard according to  claim 1 , consisting of:
 a series of hardwood veneers cut into surfboard fin shape in side plan, adhered together with gelatin glue to form the structure of the fin and a system of dowels inserted and glued transversely through the bottom portion of the fins serving as projections to hold the fins in place in the fin boxes.   
   
   
       3 . A fin box or a series of fin boxes incorporated into the framework of the surfboard according to  claim 1  composed of:
 a routed channel open to the bottom of the surfboard into which the fins according to  claim 2  are inserted and held, and   an overhang to said channel intended to maintain contact with the projections of the fins according to  claim 2  and thus hold the fins rigidly in place.   
   
   
       4 . A fin locking mechanism incorporated into the fin box according to  claim 3  to secure the fin according to  claim 2 , composed of:
 a lock comprised of a wooden cylinder, a dowel projecting therefrom perpendicular to the axis of said cylinder and a groove on one end to facilitate turning of the lock;   a hole the size of said lock at one end of the fin box adjacent to the channel according to  claim 3  into which said lock is inserted to secure the fin according to  claim 2  in the fin box, and   a channel routed in a pattern along the side of said hole into which the dowel projecting from the hole may be inserted and turned to lock the fin lock in place.   
   
   
       5 . A leash plug incorporated into the framework of the surfboard according to  claim 1  composed of:
 a wooden ring, with a dowel inserted transversely through said ring to form a mode of attaching a lashing or a leash, inserted into the stringer of the framework with the open portion of one side of the ring left exposed to the deck of the surfboard, and with   a portion of the veneer skin of the deck of the surfboard covering the outer portion of the said ring to aid in holding the ring in place.