US3377007A - Sling for surfboard - Google Patents

Description

J. C. GAYLER, JR

SLING FOR SURFBOARD April 9, 1968 Filed Aug. 11, 1966 .1NVENTO R. V y Le r. J r.

JamesC,Ga

diiornqys United States Patent '0 3,377,007 SLING FOR SURFBOARD James C. Gayler, Jr., 441 Grandview Ave., Wyckoff, NJ. 07481 Filed Aug. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 571,776 3 Claims. (Cl. 224-5) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to carriers or slings and to a type that is particularly adapted for the transport or carriage of surfboards or similar articles. It involves a shoulder strap having loops at both ends which are adjustable and adapted to hold a surfboard, or the like.

The carrying of a surfboard from its point of storage or from an automobile to the surf, presents a problem due to the size and unwieldy nature of the board. It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a carrier or sling by means of which the surfboard can be carried in a balanced, comfortable manner by a user, to thereby conveniently transport it to or from the surf.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which can be quickly, easily and adjustably fitted on a surfboard and as easily removed therefrom when required; by which the board can be carried 'from the shoulders of the user in a convenient manner despite its size and weight, and which can be made of materials rendering it sturdy and long-lasting.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of a sling having a shoulder strap which is adjustable as to its effective length. Attached to said shoulder strap and located at the opposite ends of the same are board-encircling straps or loops which are adjustable in a manner to regulate the effective diameters of the same, and which when fitted around the board such as at the opposite sides of the center of gravity of the board, enable the board to be carried from the shoulder of the user by means of the shoulder strap, and in a balanced condition.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed:

FIG. 1 shows how the carrier or sling appears when in use;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the carrier, with a portion of the surfboard shown in dot-and-dash lines; and

FIG. 3 is a rear view of one of the end portions of the carrier.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the shoulder strap portion of the carrier or sling. The same, as well as most of the other parts of the device is preferably composed of a sturdy and strong strip material that is resistant to the effects of salt water, such as a suitable plastic which can be provided in various colors if desired.

The shoulder strap 1 is made adjustable as to its effective length by having one end, or that shown at 2, doubled upon itself through a double loop member 3, the end of the shoulder strap being retained in its required adjusted position by means of a buckle 4.

Extended through another part of the loop member 3 is a strap piece or portion 5, forming for all purposes, an extension or continuation of one end of the shoulder strap, the rivets 6 maintaining the attachment of the strap portion 5 to the loop member 3.

Secured to the strap portion 5, adjacent to the loop member 3, is one end 7 of one of the board-encircling loops or straps 8, said end being fastened to the strap 3,377,007 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 portion 5 by means of rivets 9a or equivalent fastening means. The opposite end of the board-encircling loop 8 is adjustable through a clamp 9, secured by the rivets 10 or other fastening means to a face of the strap portion 5, near one end of the same. The end portion 7 of the loop 8 is thus located between the loop member 3 and the clamp 10.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that the effective length of the shoulder strap 1 can be regulated by means of its adjustable attachment to the loop member 3 and by its passage through the buckle 4. The effective diameter of the board-encircling loop 8 is also readily regulatable by the adjustment of the free end 11 of the loop 8 through the clamp 9, the engagement of the clamp therewith securely holding the adjusted loop snugly about a surfboard, a portion of the same being shown at 16a.

The second board-encircling loop of the carrier, and shown at 12, is attached to the shoulder strap 1 in the manner clearly shown in FIG. 2. The end 13 of the loop 12 is attached to a face of the shoulder strap 1 above the clamp 15, the opposite end 14 of the loop 12 being adjustable through the clamp 15, which clamp may be similar to that shown at 9. The clamp 15 is attached by rivets 16 or similar fastening means to the shoulder strap 1 near one end of the same.

One way in which the carrier or sling can be used is shown in FIG. 1:. The details of construction of the carrier are not shown therein for simplicity in illustration. In fitting the carrier on the surfboard 16a, the approximate center of gravity of the board is located, and the carrying loops or straps 8 and 12 are fitted snugly around the board, the effective diameters of these loops being adjusted to enable the loops to fit the board, by bringing the respective ends 11 and 14 of these loops through the clamps 9 and 15 to the required extent. Each of the loops or board-encircling straps should be located approximately fifteen inches from the center of gravity of the board for best results and easy carriage of the board.

The shoulder strap 1 should be adjusted so that the board will be carried well above the ground and at a comfortable height for the individual user. In FIG. 1 the board is shown as being suspended from the shoulder of the wearer. It can also be carried across the chest and possibly in other positions found most suitable to the individual surfer.

The carrier can be made of such material and construction that it will be sturdy and capable of long use. It permits an unwieldy surfboard to be easily and conveniently carried by the surfer to and from the water and will be found to be a useful and valuable adjunct to those who indulge in the constantly increasing sport of surfing.

Having thus described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A carrier or sling for transporting a relatively wide surfboard comprising, a shoulder strap adapted to fit over the shoulder of a person, means spaced from one end of the shoulder strap but below the central area thereof for regulating the effective length of the strap, a relatively narrow board-encircling loop attached at each end of the shoulder strap, and means at the opposite ends of the shoulder strap by which the effective diameter of each of the loops can be regulated to enable them to be fitted around a surfboard, one end of each of said loops being fixed to said shoulder strap a substantial distance above the end of said strap, a clamp being attached to each of the ends of said strap, the other end of each loop adapted to enter said clamp to permit adjustment of the length of 4 said loop, said loops extending in parallel relation to said References Cited StraP' UNI ma PATENTS 2. A carrier or sling according to claim 1, wherein the TED ST! s regulating means for one of said board-encircling loop at 2,530,695 11/ 1950 Helrnert 2245 one end of the shoulder strap is attached to an extension 5 2,812,123 11/ 1957 Girton 224-1 of the shoulder strap. 2,846,699 8/1958 Watson 224-6 X 3. A carrier or sling according to claim 2, wherein one of said clamps is on the outside of said strap and the HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. other clamp is on the inside of said strap.

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