AU2011101741B4

AU2011101741B4 - A fin box

Info

Publication number: AU2011101741B4
Application number: AU2011101741A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Robert Longo; Vincent Charles Longo
Original assignee: FUTURES FINS LLC
Current assignee: FUTURES FINS LLC
Priority date: 2011-12-05
Filing date: 2011-12-05
Publication date: 2017-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-05
Also published as: AU2011101741A4; AU2011101741C4

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

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.

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 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 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: 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; a flange extending outwardly from the base so as to include flange portions on either side of the aperture, and having curved end portions, the flange having elongated in which a resin may enter to aid in securing the fin box to the body, wherein the passages include curved passages disposed substantially within the curved portion of the flange; and wherein the flange portions have an area, with the passages occupying 7% to 19% of the area.

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;

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 1 and 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a fin box 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 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 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 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 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

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 elongated and providing a longitudinally extending aperture to receive the fin to aid in fixing the fin to the body; a flange extending outwardly from the base so as to include flange portions on either side of the aperture, and having curved end portions, the flange having elongated passages in which a resin may enter to aid in securing the fin box to the body, wherein the passages include curved passages extending from each side portion to a respective curved portion so that the curved passage is disposed substantially within a comer portion of the flange; and wherein the flange portions have an area, with the passages occupying 7% to 19% of the area.

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

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

4. The fin box of claim 3, wherein the plastics material is a thermal moulded plastics material.

5. The fin box of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the watercraft is a surfboard.

6. A fin box for a watercraft, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.