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  Topside device for circular hydroplane boardUSPTO Application #: 20060128237Title: Topside device for circular hydroplane board Abstract: A circular-shaped hydroplane board with a topside device for safer, more controllable skimming along a beach surface includes: (a) a substantially planar bottom side having a first diameter; (b) a substantially planar top side having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; (c) a curved circular side rail connecting the bottom side to the top side of the hydroplane board; and (d) a curved topside device attached to the top side of the hydroplane board; wherein the hydroplane board has no defined front, rear, left, or right sides. Also included is the topside device itself, which is attachable to a top side of a circular hydroplane board. (end of abstract)
Agent: Kathleen M Harleston The Harleston Law Firm - Mt Pleasant, SC, US Inventor: Charles Benedict Quinn USPTO Applicaton #: 20060128237 - Class: 441067000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Buoys, Rafts, And Aquatic Devices, Water Skimming Or Walking Device, Circular The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060128237. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to hydroplane boards or skim boards and, more particularly, to a topside rail or bumper structure for a circular hydroplane board for enhanced performance and safety. [0003] 2. Background Information: [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,602, Quinn, issued Jul. 13, 2004 discloses a circular hydroplane board for skimming along a surface at the water's edge. The circular hydroplane board has a substantially planar bottom side and a substantially planar top side connected by a smoothly curved circular-shaped lower side rail. The diameter of the board's bottom side is smaller than the diameter of the board's top side. The hydroplane board is best used for recreational hydroplaning, or skimming, along a beach or other smooth waterfront area. [0005] In order to use the circular hydroplane board, a user pushes the hydroplane board with his or her foot in a desired direction. Then the user walks, jogs, or runs toward the hydroplane board and jumps onto it while simultaneously exerting forward and downward forces onto the hydroplane board. The transfer of momentum from the user to the hydroplane board and the weight of the user induces hydroplaning. Normally, the circular hydroplane board hydroplanes at a speed much greater than the individual speed of the hydroplane board or user. [0006] The circular hydroplane board is extremely efficient due to its curved side rail and round periphery. The curved side rail minimizes forward friction, especially during initial contact between the user and the hydroplane board. The round periphery also reduces friction and facilitates forward motion even if the hydroplane board slews or moves in a radial direction. [0007] However, the force of friction between the user's feet and the topside of the circular hydroplane board and a layer of water over the hydroplane board's topside limits the forward force that may be applied to the hydroplane board. If the forward force exceeds the frictional force, the user will likely lose contact with the hydroplane board. This, in turn, limits the acceleration and speed of the combined hydroplane board and user. Second, the radial force that the user may apply to the hydroplane board is restricted. Thus, there is a need for a structural enhancement of the circular hydroplane board, which diminishes or overcomes these limitations. [0008] The outer edge or perimeter of the circular hydroplane board can be relatively sharp, which poses a potential hazard to bystanders if the user loses control of the hydroplane board. Also, the outer edge of the circular hydroplane board includes no means of shock absorption in the event of a collision between a person or object and the moving hydroplane board. Thus, there is a need for a structural enhancement for the circular hydroplane board in order to reduce the chance and/or severity of injury and absorb shock in any accidental collisions between a person or object and the moving hydroplane board. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention is a circular-shaped hydroplane board comprising a topside device attached to the top side of the hydroplane board. Alternatively, the present invention is a topside device for attachment to the top side of a circular hydroplane board, such as a speed rail and/or a bumper that encircles the outer circumference of the top side of a circular skim board. Alternate configurations of these topside devices are also included herein. The topside device of the present invention is a performance and safety enhancement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail portion and a bumper portion; [0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the circular hydroplane board with a combined topside device according to FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a separate speed rail and a bumper; [0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the circular hydroplane board with topside device according to FIG. 4; [0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail and a bumper; [0017] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a separate speed rail and a bumper; [0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a bumper; [0019] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail; [0020] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail; [0021] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a circular hydroplane board with a topside device according to the present invention, showing a speed rail; Continue reading... Full patent description for Topside device for circular hydroplane board Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Topside device for circular hydroplane board 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 Topside device for circular hydroplane board or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Outboard motor shift device Next Patent Application: Net containing visible lettering and method for applying visible lettering to nets Industry Class: Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Topside device for circular hydroplane board patent info. 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