Ships – Watercraft with means used in providing sailpower
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2001-09-18
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Ships
Watercraft with means used in providing sailpower
C114S039220, C441S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289833
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a device for moving individuals on water, snow and ice with the assistance of wind.
BACKGROUND
People have long enjoyed the use of recreational watercraft such as surfboards, windsurfers, and bodyboards. Likewise, devices for use on snow and ice have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Such devices have historically been somewhat difficult to transport due to their cumbersome configurations, lack of compact size and because of excessive weight. Additionally, the ability to use many such devices depends on water currents, wave activity, a motorized device or gravity for forward motion over a given surface, thereby limiting the locations and conditions allowing such usage. Further, such devices have become increasingly complex making them more difficult to learn to use quickly, leading to added frustration by the user. Moreover, some recreational devices are tricky to control, and may therefore be too dangerous for young or inexperienced riders, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for moving individuals on water, snow and ice with the assistance of wind that is safety-oriented and easy to use by persons of all ages. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a recreational device that is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to assemble.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a device for moving an individual over a surface with the assistance of wind. The device includes a support section and a sail section. The support section is sized and shaped to support the individual. The sail section is pivotally fixed to the support section. The sail section catches the wind to move the support section and the individual relative to the surface. As provided in detail below, because the device is constructed of lightweight material, and can be used while standing, kneeling, sitting or in the prone position, it is particularly easy to operate. Further, because the sail section and the support section comprise a substantially continuous one-piece, flexible structure, the device can safely be used by persons of all ages. Further, the device is relatively inexpensive, and requires little or no assembly.
The support section is designed to be sufficiently buoyant to support one or more individuals when in use in a liquid medium such as water. As provided herein, the support section can be made of a flexible memory foam and/or it can include one or more inflatable chambers.
The sail section preferably includes one or more substantially transparent view ports to allow the user to see through the sail section in order to navigate the device. The sail section also typically includes a sail controller that allows the individual to control the direction of the sail section relative to the wind in order to steer the device. Moreover, the sail section may include one or more sail stiffeners that are oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sail section. Each sail stiffener provides increased rigidity to the sail section while the device is in use. Uniquely, because the user may release the sail controller at any time to lower the sail and quickly bring the device to a stop, the device is extremely safe to use.
Further, the device preferably includes a rudder and a rudder controller. The rudder is secured to the support section. The rudder controller is coupled to the rudder. The rudder controller is moved side to side by the user to steer the device. Additionally, the device can include one or more skegs. The skegs extend generally downward from the support section and are oriented substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the support section. The skegs stabilize the device and guide movement of the support section over the surface.
The device can be constructed such that the support section and the sail section are comprised of a substantially continuous, one-piece structure, rather than two separate and distinct sections. For example, the sections may be constructed from a single piece of memory foam. Alternatively, the support section and the sail section may be manufactured from materials that are permanently affixed to one another to substantially form a single continuous, unitary structure.
To operate the device, the user is positioned on the support section while the device rests on the surface over which the device is to be used. Next, the user pulls the sail controller toward him/her to raise the sail section from the surface thereby filling the sail section with wind. If the appropriate velocity of wind is present, the device then begins to move across the surface. The user may change direction of the device by adjusting the position of the sail with the sail controller, adjusting the position of the rudder with the rudder controller, or a combination both. The device is brought to a stop by releasing the sail controller to lower the sail section back down to the surface.
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Broder James P.
Roeder Steven G.
Sotelo Jesus D.
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