Method of Uprighting and Locating a Water Sports Board in the Water and a Directional Float Therefor

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel method and a novel inflatable device for the method which are used in association with kite boards, surfboards and the like, for the purpose of uprighting the kite board or surfboard and encouraging a kite board or surfboard to be moved by the wind in the direction of the kite boarder or surfer when the kite boarder or surfer becomes separated from the kite board or surfboard. A method of uprighting and identifying an overturned kite board or surfboard which comprises detachably securing to the kite board or surfboard a mechanism that has sufficient buoyancy to upright an overturned kite board or surfboard and sufficient profile that it extends above the water surface and encourages entrapment by the wind to induce the uprighted kite board or surfboard downwind. An inflatable kite board uprighting and directional float comprising: (a) a hollow inflatable body; (b) a kite board engaging foot plate removably connected to the inflatable body (a); and (c) a closable air valve for enabling the inflatable body (a) to be inflated.

1 . A method of uprighting and identifying an overturned water sports board which comprises detachably securing to the water sports board a mechanism that has sufficient buoyancy to upright the overturned water sports board and sufficient vertical profile that it protrudes above the water surface and encourages entrapment by the wind to induce the uprighted water sports board to move downwind. 
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the water sports board is a kite board or a surfboard. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the mechanism is constructed of plastic foam. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the mechanism is an inflated float. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the float is hollow and is constructed of a flexible air-impermeable material. 
   
   
       6 . A water sports board uprighting and directional apparatus comprising:
 (a) a buoyant body; and   (b) a water sports board engaging foot plate removably connected to the body (a).   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the water sports board is a kite board or a surfboard. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the buoyant body is formed from plastic foam or a hollow inflatable air containing device. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the buoyant body is a flexible, inflatable, air-impermeable fabric or plastic, and includes a closable air valve for inflating the fabric or plastic. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the foot plate has two ends which are connected to the hollow inflatable body by a pair of holding socks attached to the inflatable body. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the inflatable body is shaped like an inverted “U”. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the sides of the inverted “U” are indented. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the float is formed of air impermeable flexible nylon fabric. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the flexible fabric is woven rubberized nylon filaments. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the foot plate is formed of semi-rigid rubber. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the pair of holding socks are connected to the base of the inflatable body by flexible mesh. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the inflatable buoyant body has a carrying strap attached to the body. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein holes are formed in the body of the foot plate.