# US 2012/0073486 A1 · Powered surfboard for preserving energy of a surfer during paddling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0073486 A1 - Document ID: US20120073486A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/191,285 - Filed: 2011-07-26 - Published: 2012-03-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-11-01 - Assignees: Boomerboard, LLC - Inventors: Mike R. Railey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073486A1 ## CPC - B63B 32/10: Motor-propelled water sports boards (power-driven personal watercraft B63B34/10) - B63H 5/16: characterised by being mounted in recesses; with stationary water-guiding elements; Means to prevent fouling of the propeller, e.g. guards, cages or screens - B63H 21/17: by electric motor - B63H 5/08: of more than one propeller - B63H 21/22: the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) ## Abstract An improvement to a conventional surfboard includes an impeller and an electric motor contained primarily within the body of the surfboard, whereby performance of the surfboard is substantially unaffected by the presence of the impeller and the electric motor. The electric motor is operatively connected to the impeller for providing a forward thrust of the surfboard. The improvement to the conventional surfboard also includes a throttle for selective control of the electric motor for operating the impeller to provide a forward thrust of the surfboard, the throttle being configured for use by a surfer lying in a prone position on the smooth top surface of the body of the surfboard. An extent of the surfer's energy that otherwise would be expended during paddling can be preserved for riding waves by using the impeller to provide the forward thrust during paddling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surfboard having a body with top and bottom surfaces, wherein the body of the surfboard is configured to support a surfer lying in a prone position on the top surface while paddling, the surfboard defining a longitudinal axis and having substantially no protruding parts other than fins, the surfboard comprising: at least one impeller coupled to the body of the surfboard; at least one electric motor coupled to the body of the surfboard, the electric motor being operatively connected to the impeller for providing a forward thrust to the surfboard; and a dry box coupled to the body of the surfboard, the dry box containing one or more batteries configured to provide power to said electric motor and a radio circuit board configured to receive throttle commands for selective control of the electric motor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, further comprising a recharge port positioned to allow for recharging of the one or more batteries without direct access to the cavity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the body of the surfboard comprises a cavity and the dry box is positioned within the cavity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from wood. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from fiberglass. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from foam board. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the motor is rated at greater than approximately 150 watts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein an input for the impeller is provided in a bottom surface of the surfboard. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein an output for the impeller is provided on a rear surface of the surfboard. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surfboard of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the impeller is less than a thickness of the surfboard. ### Claim 11 A surfboard having a body with top and bottom surfaces and a longitudinal axis, the surfboard having substantially no protruding parts other than fins and comprising: at least one impeller coupled to the body of surfboard; at least one electric motor coupled to the body of the surfboard, the electric motor being operatively connected to the impeller for providing a forward thrust to the surfboard; and a dry box coupled to the body of the surfboard, the dry box containing one or more batteries configured to provide power to said electric motor and a receiver configured to receive throttle commands for selective control of the electric motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from wood. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from fiberglass. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein the body of the surfboard is made from foam board. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein the motor is rated at greater than approximately 150 watts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein an input for the impeller is provided in a bottom surface of the surfboard. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein an output for the impeller is provided on a rear surface of the surfboard. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein a diameter of the impeller is less than a thickness of the surfboard. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, wherein the body of the surfboard comprises a cavity and the dry box is positioned within the cavity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The surfboard of claim 11, further comprising a recharge port positioned to allow for recharging of the one or more batteries without direct access to the cavity.