Finger-Operated Surfboard and Method of Use

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/636,907 filed on Apr. 22, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

This disclosure relates generally to a recreational device and more particularly to a finger-operated surfboard.

A variety of handheld and manually operated toys have been developed to replicate the form and function of larger, real-world objects. However, many such toys fail to deliver a scaled and realistic user experience. In particular, existing toy surfboards often lack key characteristics—such as sufficient buoyancy, fluid responsiveness, and use of materials that are both form-retaining and surface-safe—resulting in unrealistic performance and a higher likelihood of damaging nearby objects during play.

The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to shortcomings of existing finger-operated toys that have not yet been fully solved by currently available products. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide a finger-operated surfboard that overcomes at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of prior art techniques.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter, disclosed herein.

Disclosed herein is a finger-operated surfboard including an elongated body, at least one fin, and an attachment aperture. The elongated body extends along a longitudinal axis from a front portion to a rear portion. Additionally, the elongated body has a top surface, defining a finger-engaging region, and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface. The at least one fin is fixedly coupled with and extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the elongated body. The attachment aperture extends through the elongated body from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to removably secure an attachment member. The elongated body defines a longitudinal curvature extending between the front portion and the rear portion and is configured to direct fluid flow along the bottom surface to generate lift during relative motion between the elongated body and a fluid. The elongated body and the at least one fin are each made of a polymer foam material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 1 of the present disclosure.

The at least one fin and the elongated body are integrally formed as a single, seamless, unitary construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 2 of the present disclosure, wherein example 2 also includes the subject matter according to example 1, above.

The at least one fin includes three fins having a central fin aligned along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and two outer fins positioned laterally on opposite sides of the central fin. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 3 of the present disclosure, wherein example 3 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-2, above.

The at least one fin extends outwardly from the bottom surface of the elongated body at an angle substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 4 of the present disclosure, wherein example 4 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-3, above.

The at least one fin has a height and the at least one fin defines a generally crescent-shaped profile that curves rearward toward the rear portion of the elongated body along the height. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 5 of the present disclosure, wherein example 5 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-4, above.

The longitudinal curvature includes an upward curvature at a front portion of the elongated body, the upward curvature is defined relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 6 of the present disclosure, wherein example 6 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-5, above.

The finger-operated surfboard includes an attachment member including an engagement end and a securement end, opposite the engagement end, wherein the securement end is secured within the attachment aperture of the elongated body and the engagement end is configured for attachment to an extremity of a user. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 7 of the present disclosure, wherein example 7 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-6, above.

The polymer foam material includes at least one of a polyurethane, an expanded polypropylene (EPP), or an expanded polyethylene (EPE). The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 8 of the present disclosure, wherein example 8 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-7, above.

The rear portion of the elongated body defines a swallow-tail shape including a v-shaped notch extending inward along the longitudinal axis toward the front portion of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 9 of the present disclosure, wherein example 9 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-8, above.

The elongated body has an overall length between, and inclusive of, three inches to seven inches. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 10 of the present disclosure, wherein example 10 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 1-9, above.

Further disclosed herein is a finger-operated surfboard including an elongated body, a plurality of fins, an attachment aperture, and an attachment member. The elongated body is made of a polymer foam material and has a longitudinal curvature and a top surface that is unobstructed. The plurality of fins are made of the same polymer foam material and fixedly coupled to a bottom surface of the elongated body, opposite of the top surface. The attachment aperture extends through the elongated body from the top surface to the bottom surface. The attachment member includes an engagement end and a securement end, opposite the engagement end, the securement end secured within the attachment aperture of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 11 of the present disclosure.

The at least one fin and the elongated body are integrally formed having a single, seamless, unitary construction. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 12 of the present disclosure, wherein example 12 also includes the subject matter according to example 11, above.

The plurality of fins includes three fins including a central fin aligned along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and two outer fins positioned laterally on opposite sides of the central fin. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 13 of the present disclosure, wherein example 13 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 11-12, above.

The longitudinal curvature includes an upward curvature at a front portion of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 14 of the present disclosure, wherein example 14 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 11-13, above.

Further disclosed herein is a method of simulating surfing motions using a finger-operated surfboard. The method includes contacting a top surface of an elongated body of the finger-operated surfboard with one or more fingers of a user. The elongated body defines a longitudinal curvature and the finger-operated surfboard including at least one fin fixedly coupled to the elongated body. The method also includes maneuvering the finger-operated surfboard through a fluid such that the fluid interacts with a bottom surface of the elongated body to generate lift. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 15 of the present disclosure.

The method includes attaching an attachment end of an attachment member to an extremity of the user. The attachment member includes a securement end, opposite of the attachment end, that is secured within an attachment aperture of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 16 of the present disclosure, wherein example 16 also includes the subject matter according to example 15, above.

The elongated body and the at least one fin are made of a polymer foam material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 17 of the present disclosure, wherein example 17 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 15-16, above.

The at least one fin defines a generally crescent-shaped profile that curves rearward toward a rear portion of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 18 of the present disclosure, wherein example 18 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 15-17, above.

The elongated body defines a swallow-tail shape including a v-shaped notch at a rear portion of the elongated body. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 19 of the present disclosure, wherein example 19 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 15-18, above.

The elongated body has an overall length between, and inclusive of, three inches to seven inches. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes example 20 of the present disclosure, wherein example 20 also includes the subject matter according to any of examples 15-19, above.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples, including embodiments and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example, embodiment, or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples, embodiments, and/or implementations that may not be present in all examples, embodiments, or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more examples.

Disclosed herein is at least one example of a finger-operated surfboard. The following provides some features of the finger-operated surfboard. The finger-operated surfboard is configured to be used as a toy to simulate surfing motions representative of various surfing maneuvers and tricks typically performed with a user's feet on a traditional surfboard. As used herein, finger-operated refers broadly to the manipulation or control of a scaled down surfboard-like toy through movement or pressure applied by one or more fingers of a user. The finger-operated surfboard is configured for use in a fluid, such as air or water. That is, a surrounding fluid medium exerts forces on the finger-operated surfboard, causing it to press against a user's finger during fluid flow, thereby enabling responsive movement and control that simulates scaled surfing behavior. The finger-operated surfboard is free of internal cavities, reinforcements, or hollow regions, that is, it lacks intentionally formed voids or internal spaces. Specifically, the finger-operated surfboard is made of a solid, monolithic polymer foam material.

Referring to, one example of a finger-operated surfboardis shown. The finger-operated surfboardincludes an elongated bodyand at least one fin. The elongated bodyextends longitudinally along a longitudinal axisfrom a front portionto a rear portion. The longitudinal axisextends through a central midpoint of the board, such as the geometric center between the surfaces of the elongated body. The front portionis spaced apart from the rear portionby an intermediate portion. In some examples, the front portion(i.e., the nose) defines a tapered geometry that gradually increases in width toward the intermediate portion. The intermediate portiondefines a generally wider central region configured to provide stability and a primary surface for finger engagement. The rear portion(i.e., the tail) narrows in width relative to the intermediate portionand may include one or more features—such as fins or a tail notch—configured to enhance directional control and fluid interaction. As used herein, the front portion and the rear portion refer to respective regions of the elongated bodynear the front and rear ends, rather than single points, and each span a portion of the overall length L of the elongated body(see, e.g.,). In some examples, the front portionhas a pointed nose, which may enable more precise maneuverability in certain conditions. In other examples, the front portionhas a rounded nose that has a lesser taper than its pointed counterpart, which may enable more stability and ease of control.

The elongated bodyincludes a top surface(see, e.g.,) and an opposing bottom surface(see, e.g.,). The top surfacedefines a finger-engaging region configured to receive one or more fingers for manual control of the finger-operated surfboard. In some examples, the intermediate portionserves as the primary area for finger placement during use, although a user's fingers may engage with any location along the top surfacedepending on the desired maneuver or interaction. The top surfaceis generally smooth and unobstructed, enabling a seamless transition in finger placement along the front portion, intermediate portion, and rear portion. This continuity enables smooth fingertip control and uninterrupted manipulation of the finger-operated surfboard. In some examples, the top surfaceincludes a textured region to assist with maintaining releasable engagement between the user's fingers and the finger-operated surfboard. The textured surface may be integral to the polymer foam material of the body or applied as an additional layer. The bottom surfaceis configured to interact with a surrounding fluid and may include curvature or surface features that promote lift and directional stability during fluid flow.

The elongated bodydefines a longitudinal curvature (e.g., rocker) extending between the front portionand the rear portion. The longitudinal curvature is defined in a vertical direction when the finger-operated surfboardis placed horizontally along its length L. In some examples, the longitudinal curvature includes an upward curvature at the front portion, defined relative to the longitudinal axisof the elongated body. The upward curvature is configured to direct fluid flow along the bottom surfaceof the elongated bodyduring relative motion between the finger-operated surfboardand a surrounding fluid. Accordingly, as fluid passes beneath the curved bottom surface, the flow path creates a pressure differential that generates lift, to enable the finger-operated surfboardto simulate the responsive behavior of a full-scale surfboard. In some examples, the longitudinal curvature may be continuous defining a smooth, gradual upward bend that extends along a length L of the elongated bodyfrom the front portiontoward the rear portion, such that both the front portionand the rear portionare curved upward relative to the intermediate portionof the elongated body. In other examples, the longitudinal curvature is concentrated primarily near the front portionto define a more localized upward bend or kick at the nose of the finger-operated surfboard, with the remainder of the elongated bodybeing generally planar.

At least one finis fixedly coupled to the elongated bodyand extends outwardly from the bottom surfaceat the rear portionof the elongated body. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” refers to a permanent or non-removable attachment, such as by adhesive or integral molding, that prevents detachment of the fin during normal use. In some examples, the at least one finextends outwardly from the bottom surfaceat an angle substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the bottom surface, such that the finis vertically oriented relative to the elongated body. A height H of the finis defined from the longitudinal axisof the elongated bodyto a distal end of the fin(see, e.g.,). The vertical orientation enables the finto interact effectively with a surrounding fluid to provide directional stability during movement. In some examples, along the height H, the findefines a generally crescent-shaped profile that curves rearward toward the rear portionof the elongated body. That is, a leading edge of the finis angled more steeply than a trailing edge, creating a curved, asymmetrical shape that tapers toward the rear portion.

In some examples, the at least one fin includes a plurality of fins. For example, the plurality of fins may include three fins, including a first outer fina central fin, and a second outer finThe central finis aligned along the longitudinal axisof the elongated body, and the two outer finsandare positioned laterally on opposite sides of the central finIn certain examples, the three fins are symmetrically spaced relative to the longitudinal axisto provide a balanced fluid-dynamic response during movement through a fluid. The outer finsandmay be angled slightly inward or outward relative to the longitudinal axisof the elongated body(i.e., toe angle), such that the fins are slightly toed-in or toed-out with respect to the central finThe toe angle is distinct from the vertical orientation of the fins relative to the bottom surface, and may be configured to influence tracking stability or turning responsiveness during movement through a fluid. Accordingly, the tri-fin configuration may further enhance control and maneuverability during simulated surfing motion. Although illustrated inwith three fins, the finger-operated surfboardmay include any number of fins, including fewer or more than the three shown.

In some examples, a height H of each one of the plurality of finsis substantially the same, providing a uniform fluid-dynamic profile. In other examples, at least one of the plurality of finshas a height H that differs from the height of another fin, which may be used to modify the fluid-dynamic behavior of the finger-operated surfboard. For example, a taller central fin may enhance directional tracking, while shorter outer fins may provide improved maneuverability.

The elongated bodyand the at least one finare each entirely made of a polymer foam material (i.e., monolithic). The polymer foam material provides a combination of structural resilience and surface softness. That is, the material is sufficiently rigid to maintain the intended shape of the elongated bodyand the finduring use, yet compressible enough to reduce the likelihood of damaging surrounding objects or surfaces upon impact by the finger-operated surfboard. The inherent rigidity of the polymer foam material allows the finger-operated surfboardto maintain stability and structural integrity during use without the need for additional stabilizing or reinforcing components. Additionally, the polymer foam material is inherently buoyant, to enable the finger-operated surfboardto float when placed in water. Accordingly, the finger-operated surfboardis free of internal supports or other embedded reinforcement features. The polymer foam material may include, but is not limited to, expanded polyurethane, expanded polypropylene (EPP) or expanded polyethylene (EPE).

As used herein, polymer foam refers to a lightweight, resilient, and compressible material having a cellular internal structure formed by gas-filled cells within a polymer matrix. The cellular internal structure is inherent to the foam's structure and should not be confused with intentionally formed internal cavities or hollow regions. The polymer foam is solid (i.e., non-hollow) and provides inherent buoyancy and surface softness, enabling safe interaction with users and surrounding surfaces. That is, the elongated bodyand the at least one finare formed without internal cavities or embedded reinforcement. This solid construction promotes consistent material properties, reduces manufacturing complexity, and eliminates the need for stiffeners or internal frames. Unlike rigid plastic, wood, orD-printed materials, the polymer foam is dent-resistant, less likely to cause damage, and compatible with high-volume molding processes.

In some examples, the at least one finand the elongated bodyare integrally formed as a single, seamless, unitary construction. That is, the finand the elongated bodymay be molded or otherwise formed from a continuous piece of polymer foam material without discrete joints or seams. In other examples, the finis permanently attached to the elongated bodyusing an adhesive or other attachment means, such as thermal bonding or mechanical fixation. In either case, the finis fixedly coupled to the elongated bodyto prevent removal or detachment during normal use.

The rear portionmay have any of various tail configurations, including but not limited to rounded square, rounded pin, swallow, square, pin, diamond, rounded, hip, etc. In some examples, the rear portionof the elongated bodydefines a swallow-tail shape. The swallow-tail shape includes a v-shaped notchthat extends inward from a trailing edge of the rear portionalong the longitudinal axis toward the front portion. In other words, the v-shaped notchdivides the rear edge of the elongated bodyinto two spaced-apart tail tips. In certain examples, the swallow-tail configuration may assist in fluid flow separation and directional stability during movement of the finger-operated surfboardthrough a surrounding fluid.

The finger-operated surfboardalso includes an attachment apertureextending through the elongated bodyfrom the top surfaceto the bottom surface. The attachment apertureis located within the rear portionof the elongated bodyalong the longitudinal axis. The attachment aperturemay have a circular, oval, or slotted shape, and is sized to receive a strap, cord, or similar flexible attachment member. In use, the attachment aperturefacilitates securing the finger-operated surfboardto an extremity (e.g., a finger or wrist) to prevent loss or enhance control during play. The position and orientation of the attachment apertureenables an attached attachment member to extend from the finger-operated surfboardwithout interfering with finger engagement with the top surfaceof the elongated body.

An attachment memberis configured to be secured to the attachment apertureof the elongated body. In some examples, the attachment memberis permanently secured within the attachment aperture. In other examples, the attachment memberis removably secured within the attachment apertureto enable replacement, adjustment, or customization of the attachment member, which may be based on user preference or application-specific needs.

Specifically, the attachment memberincludes a flexible strap having an engagement endand a securement endpositioned opposite the engagement end. The securement endis secured within the attachment aperture, while the engagement endis configured for attachment to an extremity of a user, such as a finger, thumb, or wrist, to facilitate manual control and connection and/or prevent accidental loss of the finger-operated surfboardduring use. The engagement endmay be configured in any suitable manner to facilitate secure engagement with the user (i.e., extremity). Examples include, but are not limited to, a hook-and-loop fastener, which may be useful for adjustable and quick-release attachment, an elastic band, an adjustable clasp or buckle, which may accommodate different sizes to provide a secure fit, or a loop-and-snap button arrangement. Additional variations may include foam padding, textured grip material, or sweat-wicking fabric. In some examples, the engagement endis formed of a different material than the remainder of the attachment member. For instance, the main length of the attachment membermay include a flexible cord or rope, while the engagement endmay include a hook-and-loop fastener.

Referring to, the bottom surfaceof the finger-operated surfboardis shown. The bottom surfaceis configured to interact with a fluid, such as passing air or water. For example, when the finger-operated surfboardis moved across a surface or through a fluid medium, the bottom surfacemay contribute to hydrodynamic or aerodynamic performance characteristics, including lift, drag, or directional stability. In some embodiments, the bottom surfacemay include one or more contours, channels, or textures (not shown) to influence the manner in which the fluid flows along the surface, thereby enhancing performance or user control.

In some examples, the bottom surfacemay further include a decal recesswhich is a specially designed area recessed into the surface to receive a decal or similar marking. The decal recessenables decals to be applied in a manner that ensures they are either flush with the surrounding surface or slightly embedded within it. The configuration helps protect the decal from peeling or abrasion during use and may also reduce drag or surface disruption when the bottom surfacemoves through a fluid. The decal recessmay be formed as a shallow depression with a defined shape or boundary and may be located in a visually prominent or functionally unobtrusive area of the bottom surface.

The finger-operated surfboardis configured to be used as a fluid-interactive toy, sized appropriately for manipulation using a user's fingers. In particular, the elongated bodyis compact in scale to allow for easy handling, control, and portability. The elongated bodymay have an overall length ranging between, and inclusive of, three inches to seven inches. In some examples, the width of the elongated bodymay range between one inch to three inches, and the thickness may range from 0.2 inches to 0.75 inches. The small size also allows the surfboard to be conveniently carried in a pocket or bag and used in a variety of environments, such as on tabletops, in bathtubs, or in small pools.

Referring now to, an example of the finger-operated surfboardis shown during use by a user. One or more fingersof the userare positioned along the top surfaceof the elongated bodyto manually control the finger-operated surfboard. The fingersmay engage various regions of the top surfaceto initiate or respond to fluid-driven motion. As illustrated, fluid flowis shown passing along the bottom surfaceof the elongated bodyand around the fins. The interaction between the fluid flowand the structural features of the finger-operated surfboard-including its curvature and fins-enables responsive movement and enhanced directional control in response to subtle adjustments by the user's fingers. The resulting motion simulates scaled-down surfing behavior, allowing the userto perform maneuvers or tricks through dynamic engagement with the surrounding fluid medium.

Referring to, illustrated is a methodof simulating surfing motions using a finger-operated surfboard. The methodincludes (block) contacting a top surfaceof an elongated bodyof the finger-operated surfboardwith one or more fingers of a user. In use, the user applies gentle pressure and directional input using their fingers to guide and stabilize the finger-operated surfboardduring movement.

The elongated bodydefines a longitudinal curvature, which contributes to the overall hydrodynamic and/or aerodynamic behavior of the finger-operated surfboard. The longitudinal curvature helps generate lift and promotes gliding or carving motions when the finger-operated surfboardmoves through a fluid medium, such as air or water. The longitudinal curvature may be parabolic, arched, or asymmetric, depending on the desired performance profile, and may affect how the board rolls, pitches, or yaws during operation.

The finger-operated surfboardfurther includes at least one fin, fixedly coupled to the underside (e.g., bottom surface) of the elongated body. The fin(s)provides directional stability, resisting unwanted lateral slipping (side-to-side drift), and helping the user maintain control during turns or straight-line movements. The fin(s) may also contribute to tracking, allowing the board to follow a smooth, controlled path through the fluid.

The methodalso includes (block) maneuvering the finger-operated surfboardthrough a fluid, such that the fluid interacts with the bottom surfaceof the elongated body. This interaction generates lift and drag forces, which the user can manipulate through changes in speed, angle, and finger pressure to simulate a range of surfing maneuvers—such as carving turns, trimming across a wave face, or performing spins and flips in the air. In some examples, the user may alternate between linear and rotational motion, shifting weight or finger placement to produce realistic surfing dynamics on a miniature scale.

The finger-operated surfboardmay be used in a variety of settings to simulate realistic surfing dynamics or to simply engage in imaginative play. For example, the finger-operated surfboardmay be used to simulate wind surfing in passing air, such as when exposed to a moving air stream (e.g., from a fan or vehicle window), where the relative air flow interacts with the bottom surfaceand at least one finto produce lift and directional forces. In other examples, the finger-operated surfboardmay be used in bathtubs, sinks, pools, or flowing water sources to mimic wave-riding scenarios, where the user can control direction and movement using one or more fingers.