# US 5,503,921 A · Core with foamed skin covering > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,503,921 A - Document ID: US5503921A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/148,690 - Filed: 1993-11-05 - Granted: 1996-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 1993-11-05 - Assignees: Kransco - Inventors: Peter M. Chang; Steven M. Moran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5503921A ## CPC - B32B 5/18: characterised by features of a layer {of} foamed material - B29C 44/14: the preformed part being a lining {(B29C44/1209 takes precedence)} - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B63B 32/22: Bodyboards for surfing; Accessories specially adapted therefor - B63B 32/57: Boards characterised by the material, e.g. laminated materials - B32B 2266/025: Polyolefin - B32B 2307/402: Coloured - Y10T 428/249958: Void-containing component is synthetic resin or natural rubbers - Y10T 428/249981: Plural void-containing components - Y10T 428/249988: Of about the same composition as, and adjacent to, the void-containing component - Y10T 428/249993: Hydrocarbon polymer - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A bodyboard with skins covering the top and bottom surfaces of a foam plank that forms a core in the bodyboard. The top skin is prepared by heat-expanding a foamable matrix layer having a polyolefin film deposited on the top surface of the matrix layer. With the application of heat, the matrix layer becomes a foam, and the polyolefin film softens and integrates with the foam. Graphics carried internally on the film become an integral part of the foam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Aboard for supporting a rider for travel comprising: a core of a stiff material having opposed sides; a skin extending in covering relation over at least one side of the core; said skin comprising a layer of polyolefin foam having an inner surface attached to the core and an outer surface containing the residue of a polyolefin film, wherein said skin is produced by disposing a polyolefin film over a heat-expandable polyolefin layer and expanding the polyolefin layer at a temperature at which the film melts or softens so that the film becomes fully integrated with the foam surface. ### Claim 2 Aboard for supporting a rider for travel comprising: a core of a stiff material having opposed sides; a skin extending in covering relation over at least one side of the core; said skin comprising a layer of polyolefin foam having an inner surface attached to the core and an outer surface containing the residue of a polyolefin film, wherein said skin is produced by disposing a polyolefin film comprising graphic images on a heat-expandable polyolefin layer and expanding the polyolefin layer at a temperature at which the film melts or softens so that the film and the graphic images become fully integrated with the foam surface and the graphic images appear in an expanded state due to the expansion of the foam layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The board of claim 2, wherein the polyolefin film is a double-layered film including an outer film layer of polyolefin and an inner film layer of polyolefin, and wherein the graphic imaging material is distributed in a region sandwiched between the two film layers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The board of claim 3, wherein the said inner film layer is colored and opaque, and the outer film layer is clear, and the inner film layer has a thickness within the range of 4 to 6 mils., and the outer film layer has a thickness within the range of 2.5 to 4.5 mils. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The board of claim 4, wherein the inner film layer is white. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The board of claim 2 wherein the polyolefin film comprises a clear layer and a colored layer and the polyolefin film is disposed with the colored layer facing the heat-expandable polyolefin layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The board of claim 6 wherein the graphic images are distributed between the colored layer and the clear layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The board of claim 2 wherein the outer surface of the skin is textured. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The board of claim 2 wherein the graphic images are disposed on the surface of the polyolefin film facing the heat-expandable polyolefin layer.