Folding Sports Board, System and Method

Abstract

A sectional sports board with a structural composite hinge connecting sections together and providing hinged movement via material flexure allowing sections of the board to be folded into a compact shape for convenient transportation or storage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports board comprising:
 a first section having an upper surface;   a second section having an upper surface, the second section being separate from the first section; and   at least one composite hinge coupled to the first section and to the second section such that the second section is rotatable relative to the first section,   wherein the second section is rotatable about and between an open, extended position in which the upper surface of the first section is parallel to and coplanar with the upper section of the second section, and a closed, folded position in which the upper surface of the first section is not coplanar with the upper section of the second section.   
     
     
         2 . The sports board of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one composite hinge comprises:
 a first polymer composite material infused with a polymeric hardening agent;   a second polymer composite material infused with the polymeric hardening agent; and   a flexible polymer composite material positioned between the first polymer composite material and the second polymer composite material.   
     
     
         3 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the flexible polymer composite material is infused with the polymeric hardening agent, and wherein a hinging portion of the flexible polymer composite material is not infused with the polymeric hardening agent. 
     
     
         4 . The sports board of  claim 3 , wherein the hinge portion is a hinge line comprising uncured flexible polymer composite fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge has a hinge width that extends for the width of the sports board. 
     
     
         6 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge comprises three hinges each coupled to the first section and to the second section. 
     
     
         7 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to an upper surface of the first section and to an upper surface of the second section. 
     
     
         8 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge is formed separately from the first section and the second section, and wherein the at least one hinge is then bonded to an external laminate of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         9 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge is formed integrally with at least one of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         10 . The sports board of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one hinge is layered into a laminate of at least one of the first section and the second section during construction. 
     
     
         11 . The sports board of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hinge is rotatable 180 degrees from an open, extended shape to a closed, folded shape. 
     
     
         12 . The sports board of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one fastener configured to securedly attach the second section in the open, extended position relative to the first section. 
     
     
         13 . The sports board of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least three bolts that extend from the first section into the second section. 
     
     
         14 . The sports board of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one end cap coupled to one at least one of the first section and the second section and configured to provide structural rigidity to the sports board and to provide support for attachment of the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The sports board of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one end cap comprises:
 a first end cap securedly attached to an end of the first section adjacent to the hinge; and   a second end cap securedly attached to an end of the second section adjacent to the hinge,   wherein in the closed, folded position, the first end cap is substantially parallel to and coplanar with the second end cap.   
     
     
         16 . A method for unfolding a sports board comprising:
 providing a sports board comprising:
 a first section having an upper surface; 
 a second section having an upper surface, the second section being separate from the first section wherein the second section is rotatable about and between an open, extended position in which the upper surface of the first section is parallel and coplanar with the upper section of the second section, and a closed, folded position in which the upper surface of the first section is not coplanar with the upper section of the second section; 
 at least one composite hinge coupled to the first section and to the second section such that the second section is rotatable relative to the first section; and 
 at least one fastener configured to securedly attach the second section in the open, extended position relative to the first section; 
   rotating the second section to the open extended position relative to the first section; and   inserting the at least one fastener into at least one fastener hole that extends from the first section into the second section to securedly attach the second section in the open, extended position relative to the first section.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one composite hinge comprises:
 a first polymer composite material infused with a polymeric hardening agent;   a second polymer composite material infused with the polymeric hardening agent; and   a flexible polymer composite material positioned between the first polymer composite material and the second polymer composite material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the flexible polymer composite material is infused with the polymeric hardening agent, and wherein a hinging portion of the flexible polymer composite material is not infused with the polymeric hardening agent.