Paddle to Pop-up Device

Abstract

A device for attachment to the deck of a surfboard or paddleboard for making paddling a surfboard or paddleboard more comfortable and easier to paddle. On a surfboard the device can also assist in attaining proper speed and so that a surfer can more easily “pop-up.” The pop-up assist generally comprises a main body having a generally wedge shape attached to the deck of the surfboard generally where the lower chest or abdomen of the surfer, makes contact with the board. The pop-up assist generally creates a wedge between the body of the surfer or paddler and the deck of the surfboard, lifting the user's upper chest, neck and, head up from the deck of the board.

1 . A pad for attachment to a deck of a surfboard, said pad comprising:
 a main body having a generally wedge shape with a distal and a proximal end and a length therebetween, with the larger portion of said wedge being located towards said proximal end;   a lower surface of said main body sized and shaped for attachment to a surfboard;   an upper surface of said main body which angles downward to the deck of said surfboard from said proximal end to said distal end;   wherein said main body is attached to said deck of said surfboard at a position so as to contact said user's body between the neck and the abdomen;   wherein said proximal end is positioned toward a nose of said surfboard and said distal end is positioned toward a tail of said surfboard; and   wherein said pad serves as a wedge between the body of said user lying flat on his or her stomach in the prone position on said surfboard and said board separating their upper torso from said deck.   
   
   
       2 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the said angle of said upper surface ends before said distal end and said upper surface continues parallel to said lower surface for the remaining length of said upper surface. 
   
   
       3 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of said pad contains a concave depression in the central area of said proximal end from said upper surface to said lower surface. 
   
   
       4 . The pad of  claim 3 , wherein said concave depression is generally crescent shaped. 
   
   
       5 . The pad of  claim 3 , wherein said concave depression has a general polygonal shape. 
   
   
       6 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad is designed to be attached by a hook and loop fastener system to a deck of a surfboard. 
   
   
       7 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad is designed to be attached to a deck of a surfboard through an attachment system that enables said user to adjust said pad forward or backward on said surfboard. 
   
   
       8 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the said pad is designed to be attached to a deck of a surfboard by an adhesive placed on said lower surface of said pad and said deck of said surfboard, forming a bond. 
   
   
       9 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the said pad is designed to be attached by a pin and hole system to a deck of a surfboard wherein said surfboard is built with pins and holes to accommodate said pad and said pad attaches to said board through said pin and hole system. 
   
   
       10 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface of said pad is covered by a layer of cushioning substance. 
   
   
       11 . The pad of  claim 10  wherein said cushioning substance comprises formed polyurethane gel. 
   
   
       12 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elevation or size of said pad is adjustable. 
   
   
       13 . The pad of  claim 12  wherein said adjustment occurs by inflation or deflation of at least a portion of said pad. 
   
   
       14 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad includes a concave pocket. 
   
   
       15 . The pad of  claim 14  wherein said pocket is closed by placing said pad on said surfboard. 
   
   
       16 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad is formed of foam, plastic, rubber, polyester material or other fabric, neoprene, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said pad comprises two or more separate pieces designed to be mutually attached to a deck of a surfboard and which together act as said pad. 
   
   
       18 . A surfboard comprising:
 a deck originating at a tail and extending to a nose;   a bottom opposing said deck and including at least one fin;   a generally wedge shaped protrusion extending from said deck, said protrusion including a proximal and distal end and a length therebetween;   wherein said proximal end of wedge shaped protrusion extends further from said deck of the surfboard than said distal end;   wherein such proximal end of said protrusion is positioned toward said nose and said distal end is positioned toward said tail; and   wherein said wedge shaped protrusion is positioned on said surfboard so as to contact a user's body between the neck and the abdomen when a user lies prone on said deck.   
   
   
       19 . The surfboard of  claim 18 , wherein the proximal end of said wedge shaped protrusion contains a concave depression in the central area of said proximal end from the upper surface to the lower surface. 
   
   
       20 . The surfboard of  claim 18 , wherein two or more wedge shaped protrusions are located on said deck of said surfboard, each of said wedge shaped protrusions being similarly positioned. 
   
   
       21 . The surfboard of  claim 18  wherein said protrusion is not intended to be removed from said deck in normal operation. 
   
   
       22 . The surfboard of  claim 18  wherein said protrusion is separable from said deck. 
   
   
       23 . A method of surfing comprising:
 providing to a human user a surfboard having a deck with a wedge shaped projection thereon, said projection having a proximal end arranged toward the nose of said surfboard and extending from said deck a greater distance than an opposing distal end of said projection;   said human user lying on said deck of said surfboard in a prone position so that said projection is pushed against at least a lower portion of said human user's ribs so as to direct a portion of said human user's torso away from said deck, said portion including said human user's head;   said human user placing said surfboard into a body of water;   said human user paddling on said surfboard while utilizing said wedge as support; and   said user transitioning from said prone position to standing on said surfboard.   
   
   
       24 . A surfboard comprising:
 a deck originating at a tail and extending to a nose;   a bottom opposing said deck and including at least one fin; and   means extending from said deck and positioned on said deck so as to contact a user's body between the neck and the abdomen when a user lies prone on said deck and direct said user's neck away from said deck when said user's abdomen is on said deck.   
   
   
       25 . The surfboard of  claim 24  wherein said means also assists said user in transitioning from said prone positioning to a standing positioning.