US2012122357A1PendingUtilityA1

Paddleboard

38
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 17, 2010Filed: Nov 7, 2011Published: May 17, 2012
Est. expiryNov 17, 2030(~4.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Tom B. EckertTim NiemierEdward G. Van Nimwegen
B63B 32/66B63B 32/57B63B 2001/201B63B 32/50B63B 32/64B63B 32/40B63B 32/62
38
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

In one example, a paddleboard includes a body defining a fin housing within which a fin is partially received. The fin is configured to reside in the fin housing in either of a first operating position or a second operating position, where the second operating position is different from the first operating position. Finally, a fin retention element is provided that is configured to releasably secure the fin to the body.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A paddleboard comprising:
 a body;   a fin that is received in a fin housing defined by the body, the fin being configured to be received in fin housing in either of a first operating position or a second operating position, where the second operating position is different from the first operating position; and   means for releasably retaining the fin in one or more positions, and wherein the means releasably secures the fin to the body;   wherein the paddleboard is configured to be modified by a user to assume either of a first configuration or a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in the first operating position, the fin is generally parallel to a centerline of the paddleboard. 
     
     
         3 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in the second operating position, the fin is non-parallel to a centerline of the paddleboard. 
     
     
         4 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body is a blow-molded unitary, one-piece structure. 
     
     
         5 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first configuration is a surfing configuration and the second configuration is a paddling configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fin is rotatable within the fin housing. 
     
     
         7 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a rib is defined in an upper surface of the board, and the rib extends longitudinally along a portion of the length of the board. 
     
     
         8 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of grooves are defined in a lower surface of the board, the grooves extending longitudinally along a portion of the length of the board. 
     
     
         9 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of depressions are defined in an upper surface of the board, and the depressions are at least partially filled with a buoyant material. 
     
     
         10 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is covered with a deck covering. 
     
     
         11 . A paddleboard comprising:
 a body;   a first fin that is partially received in the body;   a second fin that is partially received in the body, wherein each of the first and second fins are configured to reside in the body in either of a first operating position or a second operating position, where the second operating position is different from the first operating position; and   first and second fin retention elements configured to releasably secure the first and second fins, respectively, to the body,   wherein in the first operating position, the first and second fins are substantially parallel to a centerline of the paddleboard, and wherein in the second operating position, the first and second fins are disposed in a non-parallel orientation relative to each other.   
     
     
         12 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the fin retention elements are threaded and configured to releasably engage corresponding threads on, respectively, the first and second fins. 
     
     
         13 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a rib defined in an upper surface of the body, the rib extending longitudinally along a substantial portion of the length of the board. 
     
     
         14 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of depressions are defined in an upper surface of the board, and the depressions are at least partially filled with a buoyant material, and the paddleboard further comprising a deck covering extending over a portion of the upper surface of the paddleboard. 
     
     
         15 . A paddleboard comprising:
 a body formed as a unitary one-piece structure with a fish tail configuration and having a substantially hollow interior, an upper surface of the body including a rib, and at least a portion of the rib extending at least part way into the interior of the body;   a first fin that is partially received in the body;   a second fin that is partially received in the body, wherein each of the first and second fins are configured to reside in the body in either of a first operating position or a second operating position, where the second operating position is different from the first operating position; and   first and second fin retention elements configured to releasably secure the first and second fins, respectively, to the body,   wherein in the first operating position, the first and second fins are substantially parallel to a centerline of the paddleboard, and wherein in the second operating position, the first and second fins are disposed in a non-parallel orientation relative to each other.   
     
     
         16 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of depressions are defined in an upper surface of the board, and one or more of the depressions are at least partially filled with a buoyant material. 
     
     
         17 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a rib defined in an upper surface of the board, and the rib extending longitudinally along a portion of the length of the board; and   a plurality of grooves defined in a lower surface of the board, the grooves extending longitudinally along a portion of the length of the board,   wherein the rib and grooves each comprise one or more tack-offs that extend from an exterior of the body into the interior of the body.   
     
     
         18 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of grooves comprises a center groove and two outer grooves, the center groove being located proximate a centerline of the paddleboard and being shorter than the two outer grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of pad eyes, at least one of which is formed as part of one of the fins. 
     
     
         20 . The paddleboard as recited in  claim 15 , and comprising one or more of a drain plug, a drain plug having a loop, and a handle.

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