AU2011101741A4 - A fin box - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A fin box (10) for a surfboard, the box (10) includes a longitudinally elongated base (11) providing a longitudinally extending aperture (13) that receives the fin of the 5 surfboard. Surrounding the base (13) is a flange (14) having a plurality of passages that provide for resin to pass through the passages to aid in securing the box (10) in position.

Description

S&F Ref: P018348 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Futures Fins LLC, of 5452 McFadden Ave, Huntington of Applicant: Beach, California, 92649, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Longo, Vincent Charles; Longo, Anthony Robert Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A fin box The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(58071 10_1) 1 A FIN BOX Technical Field The present invention relates to fin boxes for watercraft, and more particularly but not exclusively to fin boxes for surfboards. 5 Background of the Invention Surfboards consist of a body generally formed of a foam material that is then coated with fibreglass. The fin is mounted in the body by means of a fin box that is secured to the body. Known fin boxes include a longitudinal central aperture within which the fin is mounted, and from which their outwardly extends a flange that is secured 1o to the body by means of the fibreglass. A disadvantage of the above construction is that frequently the fin box can become displaced and move relative to the body. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate is the above disadvantage. Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a fin box for a watercraft, the watercraft including a body and a fin, with the box being adapted to mount the fin in the body, the box including: 20 a central base having a longitudinal axis, with the base being longitudinally elongated and providing a longitudinally extending aperture to receive the fin to aid in fixing the fin to the body; and a flange extending outwardly from the base so as to include flange portions on either side of the aperture, with both flange portions having passages in which a resin may 25 enter to aid in securing the fin box to the body. Preferably, the flange surrounds the base. Preferably, the flange portions have an area, with the apertures occupying 7% to 19% of the area. Preferably, the box is moulded from plastics material. 30 Preferably, the plastics material is a thermal moulded plastics material. Preferably, the watercraft is a surfboard.

2 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a fin box; 5 Figure 2 is a schematic top plan view of the fin box of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of a modification of the fin box of Figures l and 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a fin box 10. 10 Typically the fin box 10 would be secured to the foam body of a surfboard and would be secured thereto by means of fibreglass, with the fin box 10 being adapted to secure the fin to the body. The fin box 10 includes a longitudinally extending base 11 providing a longitudinal axis 12. The axis 12 would be aligned with the longitudinal central axis of is the surfboard. The base 11 is longitudinally elongated so as to provide a longitudinally extending central aperture 13 within which the fin of the surfboard is located so as to be secured thereto. Extending outwardly from the base 11 is a flange 14 including flange portions 15 20 and 16 located on opposite sides of the aperture 13. Typically the base 11 would be integrally formed with the flange 14 by being moulded from plastics material, preferably thermal moulded plastics material. Each of the flange portions 15 and 16 is formed with passages 17 that extend entirely through the flange portions 15 and 16, so that upon the box 10 being secured to 25 the body by fibreglass, the fibreglass resin is able to pass through the passages 17 to further aid in securing the fix box 10 to the body. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the apertures 17 are generally elongated, with the majority extending generally parallel to the axis 12. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the apertures 17 are more circular, and in 30 particular are six sided. The flange portions 15 extend generally parallel to the axis 12 and extend generally normal to the base 11. The flange 14 has a surface area, with the passages 17 accounting for 7% to 19% of that area.

Claims (6)

1. A fin box for a watercraft, the watercraft including a body and a fin, with the box being adapted to mount the fin in the body, the box including: a central base having a longitudinal axis, with the base being longitudinally 5 elongated and providing a longitudinally extending aperture to receive the fin to aid in fixing the fin to the body; and a flange extending outwardly from the base so as to include flange portions on either side of the aperture, with both flange portions having passages in which a resin may enter to aid in securing the fin box to the body. 10

2. The fin box of claim 1, wherein the flange surrounds the base.

3. The fin box of claim I or 2, wherein the flange portions have an area, with the apertures occupying 7% to 19% of the area.

4. The fin box of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the box is moulded from plastics material. i5

5. The fin box of claim 4, wherein the plastics material is a thermal moulded plastics material.

6. The fin box of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the watercraft is a surfboard. Dated 5 December, 2011 20 Future Fins LLC Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON