Ships – Apparatus held by or attached to rider to control sailboard... – Foot strap means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-05-29
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Apparatus held by or attached to rider to control sailboard...
Foot strap means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237520
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to footstraps for board sports such as windsurfing and the like and, more particularly, to the shape design of footstraps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The footstraps of windsurfing boards are typically plastic and/or nylon straps with a set of holes at either end for receiving screws to secure the footstrap to the sailboard. To make footstraps adjustable, sailboards commonly have more than one set of threaded screw holes, so that the configuration and position of the footstrap can be varied. Some footstraps themselves are adjustable, independent of the design of sailboards. For example, adjustable footstraps can be adjusted in height in order to enlarge or shrink the opening or gap of the footstrap. As a general rule, competitive sailors prefer a narrower and taller opening, which provides better fit and control, while a wider and shorter opening is better suited for recreational sailors, because it is easier to get a foot into such footstraps.
The present invention improves upon the design of current footstraps by improving their adjustability and functionality in order to improve the performance of footstraps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the improved footstrap of the present invention comprises a shaped member having sufficient rigidity to maintain a pre-formed shape when used for board sports, wherein the shaped member is adapted to be mounted to a board in a manner creating a foot opening, and wherein the shaped member has an asymmetrical, arched profile that generally conforms to the shape of a person's foot.
According to an aspect of the invention, the asymmetrical profile is achieved by the shaped member having an arch that peaks at a point longitudinally off-center of the shaped member. Preferably, the shaped member is made from a structural plastic material.
According to another aspect of the invention, the shaped member includes a cover that encloses the shaped member. The cover conforms to the asymmetrical profile of the shaped member.
According to another aspect of the invention, the shaped member includes two shaped pieces that overlap and are held by the cover to form an asymmetrical profile.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the footstrap of the present invention includes a first formed piece for securing at one end to the board, a second formed piece for securing at an opposite end to the board with the second formed piece at least partially overlapping the first formed piece when the two pieces are secured to the board, and a strap fixedly attached to one of the first and second formed pieces and adjustably attached to the other of the first and second formed pieces, so that the length of the strap between the points of attachment to the first and second formed pieces can be adjusted in order to adjust the size of the footstrap to accommodate different size feet, and wherein the first and second formed pieces are shaped to form an asymmetrical profile for the footstrap when mounted to the board.
According to an aspect of this embodiment, the first formed piece has a curvature greater than the curvature of the second formed piece so that upon over lap of the first and second formed pieces, an asymmetrical curved footstrap is formed.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second formed pieces have flanged ends for securing to the board, and wherein the curvature of the formed pieces begins at the inner ends of the flanged ends. Preferably, the angle between the flanged end of the first formed piece and the initial curved portion of the first formed piece closest to the flanged end is greater than the angle between the flanged end of the second formed piece and the initial curved portion of the second formed piece closest to the flanged end of the second formed piece.
According to another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the first and second formed pieces are made of a material that provides structural rigidity to the formed pieces so that the footstrap does not collapse when stepped on. Preferably, the structural rigidity of the formed pieces is sufficient to maintain the curved shape of the footstrap when the footstrap is not mounted to the board. An example of such a material is a structural plastic.
According to another aspect of the invention, the footstrap further comprises a strap fixedly attached to one of the first and second formed pieces and adjustably attached to the other of the first and second formed pieces, so that the length of the strap between the points of attachment to the first and second formed pieces can be adjusted in order to adjust the size of the footstrap to accommodate different size feet.
According to another aspect of the invention, the footstrap further comprises a sleeve for at least partially enclosing the first and second formed pieces to maintain the overlap between the two pieces.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the claims, which are all incorporated herein as part of the disclosure of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4822310 (1989-04-01), Parker et al.
patent: 4846744 (1989-07-01), Love
patent: 5893785 (1999-04-01), Baldwin, III
patent: 0 346 509 (1989-12-01), None
Basinger Sherman
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
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