Florida Patent of the Month – November 2022
Boost Surf, Inc. has recently patented their motorized fin design for surfboards.
Boost Surf was founded with the intention of making surfing more accessible. One founder, Akexei Ostanin, had a shoulder injury which made it difficult to get into the line-up when he wanted to surf. Seeing how this would be a major obstacle for himself – and likely for others – he decided to find a way to overcome this issue. He partnered up with Dmitri Kozhevnikov, another amateur surfer, to bring their idea to life.
They began developing their eFin, an attachable fin with a built in motor to give any surfer the push they need to get to the lineup, surg longer, and catch more waves. The design includes a propeller, motor, and chargeable battery. The propeller is designed to drive the board in conjunction with the surfer’s paddling. By supplementing the surfer’s movements, the fin gives the rider a helpful boost without taking over for them.
The fin matches the size and shape of any standard fin, making installation simple. An adapter piece fits within the groove and the eFin itself is secured to the adapter. With this design, the fin can be made fully waterproof, protecting all electrical components.
The propeller and motor system are remote controlled, using a wearable device. The controller can be strapped to the board or your wrist and has a simple, intuitive display. One big button offers a long boost while a second small button controls a quick 2-second boost. Design and prototyping began in 2019. Since then, the company has made huge strides in testing, including tests done by USA national finalists and expert surfers.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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