Surfboard protector

Abstract

An adjustable surfboard transporter that protects the most fragile parts of a surfboard whether in transit or for storage. The surfboard protector or transporter can be adjusted in size to accommodate several different surfboard lengths. The transporter may focus on the most vulnerable parts of the surfboard protecting the nose, tail, and rails. In particular, an adjustable protective cover for the fragile outer perimeter of a surfboard is described. The light and durable form of protection cushions the surfboard to prevent damage from impacts. The system may be easy to use, quick to assemble, and may be broken down to an easily-transportable or storable size.

1 . An adjustable assembly for protecting the full perimeter of an action sports board during transit and/or in storage, comprising:
 a nose protector, the nose protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a nose of an action sports board;   a tail protector, the tail protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a tail of the action sports board;   first and second left railguards, the first and second left railguards structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a left rail of the action sports board, wherein the first left railguard is configured to be attached to a left side of the nose protector and wherein the second left railguard is configured to be attached to a left side of the tail protector;   first and second right railguards, the first and second right railguards structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a right rail of the action sports board, wherein the first right railguard is configured to be attached to a right side of the nose protector and wherein the second right railguard is configured to be attached to a right side of the tail protector;   a left adaptor and a right adaptor, the left and right adaptor structured to connect the first and second left railguards and the first and second right railguards, respectively, such that the first and second left railguards and the first and second right railguards may be separated by one of a variety of distances while being held securely by the left and right adaptor, respectively, such that the full perimeter of the action sports board is collectively protected by the nose protector, tail protector, railguards, and adaptors.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nose protector, the tail protector, and the railguards are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: postconsumer recycled paper (molded pulp), a plant-based material such as molded roots, molded fungus, cardboard, wheat, reed, bamboo, or rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the material is molded pulp. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the molded pulp is constructed with a message disposed thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the message is related to advertising or marketing. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the message is a unique code. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first left and first right railguards defines a slot and a portion of the nose protector has formed thereon a protrusion, such that engagement of the protrusion and the slot causes the first left and first right railguards to be attached to the nose protector. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second left and second right railguards defines a slot and a portion of the tail protector has formed thereon a protrusion, such that engagement of the protrusion and the slot causes the second left and second right railguards to be attached to the tail protector. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first left and first right railguards defines a groove and a portion of the nose protector has formed thereon a tongue, such that engagement of the tongue and the groove causes the first left and first right railguards to be attached to the nose protector. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second left and second right railguards defines a groove and a portion of the tail protector has formed thereon a tongue, such that engagement of the tongue and the groove causes the second left and second right railguards to be attached to the tail protector. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first or second left railguards and first or second right railguards have corrugations formed therein. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the left adaptor snap-fits to the first and second left railguards and the right adapter snap-fits to the first and second right railguards. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each adaptor has formed on one or both edge(s) a nub for engagement with an edge of a railguard. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the first or second left railguards and first or second right railguards have corrugations formed therein, and wherein a height of the corrugations is substantially equal to a height of the protrusion. 
     
     
         15 . An adjustable assembly for protecting the full perimeter of an action sports board during transit and/or in storage, comprising:
 a nose protector, the nose protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a nose of an action sports board;   a tail protector, the tail protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a tail of the action sports board;   a right railguard and a left railguard, the right and left railguards having a number of holes defined therein, the holes configured to engage corresponding protrusions on the nose and tail protector, the railguards structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a right and left rail of the action sports board, respectively, wherein the left railguard is configured to be attached at one end to a left side of the nose protector and at another end to a left side of the tail protector and wherein the right railguard is configured to be attached at one end to a right side of the nose protector and at another end to a right side of the tail protector,   such that the full perimeter of the action sports board is collectively protected by the nose protector, tail protector, and railguards.   
     
     
         16 . An adjustable assembly for protecting at least a portion of a perimeter of an object during transit and/or in storage, comprising:
 a first corner protector, the first corner protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a first corner of an object having a perimeter;   a second corner protector, the second corner protector structured and configured to receive at least a portion of a second corner of the object having a perimeter;   first and second edge protectors, the first and second edge protectors structured and configured to receive at least a portion of an edge of the object between the first and second corners, wherein the first edge protector is configured to be attached to the first corner protector and wherein the second edge protector is configured to be attached to the second corner protector; and   an adaptor, the adaptor structured to connect the first and second edge protectors, such that the first and second edge protectors may be separated by one of a variety of distances while being held securely by the adaptor, such that the at least a portion of the perimeter of the object is collectively protected by the first and second corner protectors, the first and second edge protectors, and the adapter.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the corner protectors protect three surfaces that meet at the corner. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the corner protectors protect four surfaces that constitute the corner. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second corner protectors, first and second edge protectors, and the adapter are made of molded pulp. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the edge protectors protect two surfaces that meet at the edge. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the edge protectors protect three surfaces that constitute the edge. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the corner protectors and edge protectors are configured to protect an object selected from the group consisting of: a tabletop, a laptop computer, a mirror, an artwork, or a sheet of glass. 
     
     
         23 . An end cap for situating an object within a shipping box, the object protected within a nose or tail protector or both, the nose or tail protector having a protrusion or pole located or defined thereon, respectively, the end cap comprising:
 a pocket having a number of protrusions formed therein, the protrusions disposed on an interior of the pocket such that varying widths of nose or tail protectors may be inserted into the end cap pocket varying amounts of longitudinal distances, the width of the nose or tail protector at least partially determining which protrusions the nose or tail protector does not engage in a friction fit when the nose or tail protector is inserted in a longitudinal direction and which protrusions the nose or tail protector abuts against, engages, and is thus prohibited from further movement in a longitudinal direction; and   at least one wing extending from the pocket in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         24 . The end cap of  claim 23 , further comprising two wings, each wing extending from the pocket in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         25 . The end cap of  claim 24 , wherein each wing includes perforations, the perforations running the length of the wing and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         26 . The end cap of  claim 23 , wherein for protrusions are provided for each width, and wherein three widths are provided for, two of the four protrusions on a top interior of the pocket and two of the protrusions on a bottom interior of the pocket, each of the sets of two protrusions disposed such that one of each set is on each side of a center axis defined by the longitudinal direction.