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Body surfboardRelated Patent Categories: Buoys, Rafts, And Aquatic Devices, Water Skimming Or Walking DeviceBody surfboard description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060014449, Body surfboard. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of United States provisional application Ser. No. 60/588,217 filed Jul. 15, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to body surfboards or body boards which are used for body surfing in any body of water with substantial wave motion, whether natural or artificial, and particularly for surfing along the shoreline of oceans where there is sufficient wave motion and surf to allow for such body surfing. [0003] Body surfboards, also known as so-called "boogie boards", are generally flat boards of buoyant material such as molded plastic foam on which a rider lies prone and face down while paddling on the water or while being propelled towards the shore by a wave. Such boards generally have a straight or blunt forward edge, opposite side edges which are streamlined or curved from the forward edge towards the rear and then extend parallel to one another to the rear edge, a rear edge which may be arcuate or concave, and a generally flat upper riding surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved body surfboard. [0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a body surfing device is provided, which comprises a board having a lower surface, an upper surface for a rider to lie on, a front end or bow, opposite side edges, and a rear end, the upper surface having an upwardly extending bulbous formation extending towards the front end of the board. [0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the bulbous formation has an upper portion of maximum height just aft of the front end or bow of the board, and tapers downward toward the stern of the board, reaching a level surface aft of the middle of the board. The level surface runs to the stern or rear end of the board. The bulbous formation has a narrower portion adjacent the bow, leaving recesses or concave areas on each side of the bulbous formation for a rider to place their hands. A hand grip may be provided at each recess for gripping by the rider. In the exemplary embodiment, the narrow portion of the bulbous formation has a groove and a single handle extends across the board and has a central portion located in the groove and extending in opposite directions from the groove with opposite ends of the handle secured to the board at the outer side of each hand grip recess so as to retain the central portion in the groove. This provides a three point attachment of the handle to the board. The handle is vertically oriented to provide a natural gripping position regardless of the rider's position on the board. [0007] The board may have two conformal body grooves, one on each side of the bulbous formation, for receiving a rider's arms, elbows and legs when lying prone on the board. The grooves have a width that is consistent with a rider's arm and leg width. The grooves extend along opposite sides of the bulbous formation and converge into the recesses or concave areas on each side of the narrower forward end of the bulbous formation. The bulbous formation and conformal arm and leg receiving grooves together provide a general shape that is conformal to a rider and facilitates comfort and control. [0008] The bulbous formation to the rear of the upper portion is generally flat and smooth, though tapering downwardly. This allows the rider the opportunity of more intimate contact with the board. This can provide more ways for the rider to control the board and is also more comfortable when the rider is riding in a prone position on the board. An advantage of the upwardly sloping surface for supporting the user's torso is that it can allow the user to ride the board more easily in a natural heads-up position, so that they can look forward and guide the board easily. [0009] The bulbous forward section of the board has a narrower forward end, and then curves outwardly on each side, subsequently curving inwardly towards the rear of the board. The wider portion of the bulbous section to the rear of the handles will prevent a rider from inserting their feet under the handles, creating a safety guard to prevent feet from being stuck. Additionally, the recesses on each side of the forward end of the bulbous formation at the handle will have a depth sufficient to receive the rider's hands, but not for insertion of his or her feet. [0010] The body surfboard of this invention has an upper surface shape designed to facilitate enhanced body boarding or body surfing and is also adapted to the rider's natural body shape and convenient riding posture for added comfort and enhanced control of the board. The upwardly inclined bulbous formation supports the rider's torso naturally in an upwardly extending position so that they can easily look forwards. The handle and hand grip recesses are arranged so that the rider can conveniently grip the handles and control the board direction whatever their position relative to the board. The handle is also arranged to prevent a rider from placing their feet under the handle where they could potentially become trapped, resulting in a dangerous situation. The one-piece handle is quick and easy to assemble on the board by engaging it in the groove and securing each end to the board. The vertical orientation of the handle provides a natural gripping position for the rider to control the board whether they are lying flat, kneeling or even when their body is separated from the board and flying through the air, as sometimes happens when traveling at speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a body surfboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the surfboard of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 3 is side elevation view of the surfboard with the handle omitted to illustrate the handle receiving groove on the bow; [0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the surfboard of FIGS. 1 to 3; [0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the surfboard of FIGS. 1 to 4; [0017] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the surfboard of FIGS. 1 to 5; [0018] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the surfboard of FIGS. 1 to 6; and [0019] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-section view taken through the handle adjacent the forward end of the board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Body surfboard... Full patent description for Body surfboard Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Body surfboard patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Body surfboard or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Handheld harness to teach and assist a child in swimming Next Patent Application: Molded heel and toe piece for a wakeboard binding and method of making Industry Class: Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Body surfboard patent info. 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