Fluke Board...A Fluky Fusion of Fun and Fitness

Abstract

The ‘Fluke Board’ is a human-powered, hydrodynamic ride-on board/structure, which functions under water but has buoyancy and is operated via the rider's hands or via the rider's feet. The rider thrusts the ‘Fluke Board’ up and down in the water, in the manner of a fluke or flipper, to produce forward motion through the water. The ‘Fluke Board’ therefore has unique features and functions that distinguish it from existing ride-on boards. The ‘Fluke Board’ rider, regardless of their age, experiences fun and exercise, which promote fitness and good health.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A hydrodynamic foil structure, dubbed the ‘Fluke Board’; constructed from plywood with waterproof sealant, or hollowed cast/molded materials, such as resin, plastic, aluminum/alloy; or pressed sheet metal, or other suitably strong, durable and waterproof material; with or without polystyrene, or similar, core; buoyant but submergible in water by a rider who exerts piston-like cyclical thrusts with hands or feet, at a forwardly placed pivot point; said foil structure alternately inclined about the vector of travel during each thrusting action, as dictated by the said forwardly placed thrusting contact/pivot line; so as to cause the ‘Fluke Board’ to exert frictional force against adjacent water in a vector opposite to the direction of travel and perpendicular to said thrusting vector, in the manner of a fluke. 
     
     
         2 . A ‘Fluke Board’ as in  1 , with a single, contoured, planar, hydrodynamic foil, with a scalloped forward and/or aft central section, as discussed and examples illustrated. 
     
     
         3 . An adjustable buoyancy ‘Fluke Board’, as in  1  and  2 , with a hollow internal space, accessible via sealable portal/s, for selective influx or efflux of fluid. 
     
     
         4 . A ‘Fluke Board’, as in  1 ,  2  and  3 , constructed by connecting two or more, planar or curved, buoyant, hydrodynamic foils, to form one or more, internal or external, longitudinally aligned channels/struts/fins, as illustrated. 
     
     
         5 . A ‘Fluke Board’, as in  1 ,  2  and  3 , with ‘Side Fins’ attached to both sides, as described and illustrated with simple examples. 
     
     
         6 . A ‘Fluke Board’ as in  5 , with bilateral ‘Channel Fins’, medial and parallel to the ‘Side Fins’, as described and illustrated. 
     
     
         7 . A ‘Fluke Board’, as in  1 ,  2  and  3 , with the addition of ‘Tube Fins’ as described and illustrated. 
     
     
         8 . A ‘Fluke Board’, as in  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , with forwardly placed hand grips/handles, as illustrated. 
     
     
         9 . A ‘Fluke Board’ as in  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , with the addition of a guy rope/s, attached centrally to the front and rear of the ‘Fluke Board’, or bilaterally at a forwardly placed pivot line, with free ends suitably adapted to be hand-held, or attached/strapped to wrists, forearms or shoulders, for use in the ‘standing/crouching posture’, as described and illustrated. 
     
     
         10 . A ‘Fluke Board’ as in  9 , adapted by size, shape and buoyancy, for surfing, with novel means of propulsion to catch a wave, novel improved ability of the ‘Fluke Board’ to cut through oncoming waves, and novel ability of the rider to be secured to the ‘fluke Board’ while surfing, with said guy ropes or handles, as described.