Folding Board System and Method

Abstract

A folding board system comprising a plurality of board sections rotatably coupled via one or more hinge assemblies between respective board sections. In various embodiments, the folding board system is configured to assume a plurality of configurations including: a folded configuration wherein the plurality of board sections assume a stacked configuration and an assembled configuration wherein the plurality of board sections extend along a common axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding board system comprising:
 a plurality of board sections rotatably coupled via one or more hinge assemblies between respective board sections, the folding board system configured to assume a plurality of configurations, including:
 a folded configuration wherein the plurality of board sections assume a stacked configuration; and 
 an assembled configuration wherein the plurality of board sections extend along a common axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The folding board system of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assemblies comprise first and second opposing end caps rotatably coupled via a hinge mechanism, the end caps configured to couple with an end of at least one of the board sections and define a portion of a linear board section mating interface. 
     
     
         3 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the end caps are configured to reside within respective cavities defined by the board sections. 
     
     
         4 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge assemblies define planar faces configured to abut in the assembled configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one latch at each of the linear board section mating interfaces configured to couple opposing board section ends in the assembled configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The folding board system of  claim 5 , wherein the latch comprises a latch clip configured to engage a latch bar disposed within a latch-cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The folding board system of  claim 6 , wherein the latch clip is biased and configured to be actuated via a button-orifice defined by a portion of an end cap. 
     
     
         8 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge assemblies are elongated and comprise a plurality of hinge mechanisms associated with a pair of end caps. 
     
     
         9 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein each linear board section mating interface comprises a plurality of hinge assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The folding board system of  claim 9 , wherein each hinge assembly comprises only one hinge mechanism and only one pair of end caps. 
     
     
         11 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a living hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a dual-axis hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The folding board system of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises a fixing rod configured to fix the hinge assembly in the assembled configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The folding board system of  claim 13 , wherein the fixing rod is configured to slidably reside within a fixing slot defined by the hinge assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The folding board system of  claim 1 , wherein the folding board system comprises a paddle-board. 
     
     
         16 . The folding board system of  claim 1 , consisting of three board sections. 
     
     
         17 . The folding board system of  claim 1 , wherein the board sections are planar and configured to lie flat on each other in the folded configuration.