Paddleboard with Integrated Paddle

Description

A. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a modified paddleboard, which is used by many for recreational fun on the water. The paddleboard is the general shape of a surfboard and the individual stands on the paddleboard and uses a paddle to propel the paddleboard through the water. The individual who is standing on the paddleboard moves the paddle from side to side to propel the paddleboard and to change the direction of movement of the paddleboard. This application modifies the paddleboard so that the movement is not from side to side with a paddle, but the paddle is pushed or pulled to create the propulsion. The user of this device can change the direction of the paddleboard by turning the handle relative to the center of the paddleboard. The paddle blades, which are in the water, rotate around the lower end of the shaft of the paddle to insure that the user can maintain propulsion.

B. PRIOR ART

There are other prior art references to the paddleboard in the prior art including Marian U.S. Pat. No. 10,207,783, Marian U.S. Pat. No. 10,647,396, Marian U.S. Pat. No. 11,254,405, and Marian US Patent publication 2022/0355911. The Marian references all convert a surfboard into a paddleboard by strapping a conversion kit to the sides of the paddleboard. The Marian references do not modify a paddleboard with a center hole and a paddle that is secured through the opening in the center of the paddleboard. The Parkinson reference teaches a unique paddle structure where the blades of the paddle will rotate around the center shaft; this reference does not refer to paddleboards or the unique structure of the paddleboard modifications that are described in this application.

None of the prior art teaches or anticipates any of the modifications of the paddleboard that are described in this application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this application, the paddleboard, which is a flat device with a flat top section and a flat bottom section and is in the general shape of a surfboard is modified. An opening is placed in the approximate center of the paddleboard and a paddle is inserted through the center opening. The paddle might be detachable for ease of transport. The paddle may also telescope to accommodate the height of the user.

The paddle has a handle on one end and a pair of blades on the opposite end. The handle may be in a variety of different shapes but for purposes of this application a T handle will be depicted described. The user of the device would move the T handle back and forth to propel the paddleboard through the water. On the opposite end of the handle a pair of blades is attached to the shaft paddle, which is in the water. The blades are secured to the shaft of the paddle with retention clips. As the person moves the handle back and forth, the blades of the paddle would rotate around the bottom portion of the paddle shaft. As the user moves the T handle, the blades of the paddle force the water to create forward movement in one direction and fold backwards in the opposite direction to reduce drag. The push and pull movement by the user creates the movement of the paddleboard of the handle by the user as the person pulls back on the paddle the blades would fold to prevent excessive drag and allow forward movement. On the end of the paddle near the blades a stop mechanism may be installed that would prevent movement of the blades beyond a certain point to prevent damage to the blades of the paddle.

If the user wanted to create movement from side to side and change the direction of movement of the paddleboard, the user would rotate the T handle to the desired direction and continue the push and pull on the T handle.

The shaft of the paddle would be kept in place by a ball and socket mechanism that is placed in the center opening. The use of a ball and socket mechanism would allow the paddle to easily move back and forth and would allow easy rotation of the handle of the paddle to change directions. The opening on the bottom surface of the paddleboard is large enough to allow movement of the shaft of the paddle during normal operation.

The material that is used in the paddle board should be selected to withstand all extremes is weather and temperature and support the weight of a human.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the paddleboard with the paddle inserted through the opening in the middle of the paddleboard and the paddle in a vertical orientation relative to the paddleboard.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the paddleboard with the handle and shaft tilted in the center of paddleboard showing the blades extended outward from the shaft of the paddle.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the paddleboard depicting the blades of the paddle folded backwards.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the paddleboard with the paddle in a vertical orientation relative to the paddleboard.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the paddleboard depicting the blades of the paddle folded backwards.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the paddleboard depicting the handle in a non-vertical orientation depicting the connection points for the blades.

FIG. 7 is a bottom isometric view of the paddleboard depicting the shaft through the opening on the bottom surface.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of the paddle in two sections.

FIG. 9 is an in use view of the device.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

• • 1—Paddleboard
  • 5—Paddle Shaft
  • 10—Handle
  • 15—Blades
  • 20—Opening
  • 25—Ball
  • 30—Retention Clips
  • 35—Opening on the bottom surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The paddle board 1 is a device with flat top surface and a flat bottom surface and allows people to stand on a board while enjoying travel on the water. The shape of the paddleboard is like a surfboard. Unlike a surfboard where the person stands on the board and is propelled by waves, the paddleboard is propelled by a person standing on the top surface and moving a paddle from one side to the other side of the paddleboard. The paddleboard may subjected to extreme temperature and weather conditions and it should be built and manufactured to withstand those particular conditions.

The current device modifies the design of the current paddleboard by inserting an opening on the bottom in the center of the paddleboard 35 and an opening on the top surface through which the shaft of the paddle will be inserted. The size of the opening on the bottom should be large enough to allow freedom of movement of the paddle 5 as the person pushes and pulls the handle 10 of the paddle.

The paddle is comprised of a shaft 5 with a handle 10 on the first end and a pair of blades 15 on the second end of the shaft of the paddle. The blades 15 are attached to the second end of the shaft using retention clips 30 that allow the blades to rotate as the handle is pushed backwards and forward. In one direction the blades are extended away from the second end of the shaft to capture the water and create propulsion; as the user moves the handle in the opposite direction the blades 15 rotate and fold against each other such as depicted in FIG. 5 to allow the user to move the handle back and forth.

The paddle 5 may come in separate sections such as depicted in FIG. 8 for ease of transport. The paddle may also telescope to accommodate different heights of the users of the paddleboard.

The paddle is inserted through the opening on the top of the paddleboard and a ball and socket 20 will allow the shaft 5 of the paddle to move freely as the user pushes and pulls the handle 10 as the paddleboard 1 is operated and allows the user to rotate the handle. If the person wanted to change the direction of the paddleboard the user would turn the handle 10 in the desired direction and push and pull the handle as normal.

The size of the opening on the bottom surface 35 enough to accommodate the shaft of the paddle near the center of the paddleboard on the top surface but also large enough on the bottom surface to allow freedom of movement of the lower portion of the shaft as the device is operated. The shaft, 5, will lead to a handle, 10, on the top surface of the paddle board and the user of the paddle board will push and pull the handle, 10, backwards and forwards to produce movement of the lower half of the shaft, such as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The blades, 15, of the paddle, which are in the water, will move, such as depicted in FIG. 3, to minimize drag, and then reform to produce a stroke to cause propulsion.

While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.