GB2600835A

GB2600835A - Fin locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2600835A
Application number: GB2116196.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seddon Joel
Original assignee: Bluefin Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Bluefin Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-10
Filing date: 2021-11-10
Publication date: 2022-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-10
Also published as: GB2600835B

Abstract

A fin locking mechanism for releasably attaching a fin to a fin box of a paddleboard is disclosed. The locking mechanism comprises a primary locking member adapted to be engaged with a fin and movable between a locked position in which the locking member restricts movement of the fin with respect to the fin box and an unlocked position in which the fin may be removed from the fin box. The locking mechanism further comprises a secondary locking member adapted to releasably engage the primary locking member in its locked position, said engagement preventing movement of the primary locking member away from its locked position. A fin assembly and a paddleboard are also disclosed.

Description

FIN LOCKING MECHANISM

TECHNICAL HELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to a locking mechanism for securing a removable fin to a paddleboard. Embodiments also relate to a fin box and a paddle board including a fin locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is a type of water sport in which a boarder stands on a buoyant board and uses a paddle to propel themselves. SUP boards are generally relatively large (8 to 12 feet in length) to provide good stability and may use a rigid (for example with a foam core) or an inflatable structure (which may be referred to as an i SUP board). In recent years SUP has grown significantly with a variety of SUP based activities gaining popularity for example SUP surfing, SUP touring, SUP yoga and SUP fishing.

[0003] For directional stability, paddleboards are generally provided with at least one fin projecting outwardly from a lower surface (the hull) of the board. Such fins are typically removably connected which enables a user to remove the fin (for example during transport or storage) or replace the fin (for example in the event of damage). A removable fin is also beneficial as a user can select an appropriate fin to alter the handling characteristics of the paddleboard. Fins are typically connected to a board via a fin box which defines a slot for receiving an engagement portion of the fin. The fin may be retained in the fin box by a locking mechanism. Some retaining configurations may be relatively complex and/or time consuming when a fin removal or change is required. As such some fin connecting arrangements have been proposed which use a quick release locking member which may, for example, allow a fin to be quickly locked in place with a simple locking member. However, a disadvantage of existing quick-release locking arrangements is that they may inadvertently disengage during use causing the loss of a fin [0004] As such, there is a desire for improved locking mechanisms for use to secure paddle board fins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fin locking mechanism for releasably attaching a fin to a fin box of a paddleboard. The locking mechanism comprises a primary locking member adapted to be engaged with a fin and movable between a locked position in which the locking member restricts movement of the fin with respect to the fin box and an unlocked position in which the fin may be removed from the fin box The locking mechanism further comprises a secondary locking member adapted to releasably engage the primary locking member in its locked position, said engagement preventing movement of the primary locking member away from its locked position.

[0006] The provision of a secondary locking member in embodiments can ensure that the locking mechanism cannot be inadvertently released as the secondary locking member latches the primary member in its closed or locked position Only after manual release of the second locking member is it possible to move the first locking member and release the fin from the fin box.

[0007] The primary locking member may comprise a first end adapted to engage the fin in the locked position. A second end, distal to the first end, may be adapted to be engaged by a user to move the primary locking arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0008] The secondary locking mechanism may restrict movement of the primary locking member by engaging the second end of the primary locking member.

[0009] In some embodiments the primary locking member may be a locking arm having a pivot between the first end and the second end and may rotate between the locked and unlocked position about said pivot.

[0010] The secondary locking member may be adapted to be moved in a longitudinal direction with respect to the fin box to disengage and allow the rotation of the primary locking member. The primary and secondary locking members may be operable in opposing directions. This may for example ensure that the release of the fin requires two distinct actions and cannot be forced by movement in a single direction.

[0011] the primary locking member comprises a slot and the secondary locking member comprises a latch member for engaging the slot to retain the primary locking member away from its locked position. The latch member may resiliently deform to pass through the slot of the primary locking mechanism. The latch member may comprises a tooth having a smooth surface on one face to cam the latch member through the slot and a steep face on the opposing surface to latch against the slot.

[0012] The primary locking member may comprise a head adapted to engage a groove or recess (for example a cut out or aperture) in a fin to fix the position of the fin with respect to the fin box.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a fin box assembly comprising a fin box including a fin locking mechanism in accordance with embodiments. The fin assembly may comprise a fin having a foil portion; and an engaging portion disposed underneath the foil portion The engaging portion may be adapted to be engaged with the fin box to releasably attach the fin thereto. The engaging portion may comprises a groove or recess in a rear end for engagement by the primary locking member.

[0014] The fin box may comprise a pair of spaced apart opposing walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the engaging portion of the fin. The fin locking mechanism may be provided at a rearward end of the channel. It ay be appreciated that the fin box could be integrated into a board or could be attached to the surface of the board [0015] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a paddleboard comprising a body and at least one fin locking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment.

[0016] The paddle board may further comprises a fin box having a pair of spaced apart opposing walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the engaging portion of the fin. The fin locking mechanism may be provided at a rearward end of the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the invention may be performed in various ways, and embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:: [0018] Figure la illustrates an isometric view of a fin attached to a fin box of a surfboard, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0019] Figure lb illustrates a side view of the fin attached to the fin box of the surfboard, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0020] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate enlarged isometric views of a portion 'A' of the Figure lb depicting a quick-release mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0021] Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the portion 'A' of the Figure lb depicting the quick-release mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0022] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate side views of the fin depicting a stopper engageable with the fin box, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0023] Figures 5a, 5b, and Sc illustrate an operation of releasably detaching the fin to the fin box via the quick-release mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0024] Figures 6a-6e illustrate an operation of releasably attaching the fin to the fin box via the quick-release mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0026] Figure la illustrates an isometric view of a fin 102 attached to a fin box 104 of a paddleboard 100. Figure lb illustrates a side view of the fin 102 attached to the fin box 104 of the paddleboard 100. It will be appreciated that the fin box assembly and paddleboard in the figure are not shown to the same scale and the outline of the paddleboard is merely illustrative. The paddleboard 100 may include a body 101 having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a continuous side surface. The body 101 may include a front end 101-1 (a nose" of the board) and a rear end 101-2 (a "tail" of the board) distal to the front end 101-1.

Further,the paddleboard 100 may include at least one fin 102 and at least one fin box 104. In some embodiments multiple fins may be provided.

[0027] In the following description, the at least one fin 102 and the at least one fin box 104 may simple be referred to as the fin 102 and the fin box 104, for clarity. The fin 102 may be adapted to be releasably attached to the body 101 of the paddleboard 100. It will be appreciated that the purpose of the foil portion of the fin 1-2 which projects outwardly from the lower surface is to enhance the directional stability of the paddleboard 100 in water. The fin 102 may be adapted to be attached to the lower surface of the body 101 via the fin box 104. The fin 102 may be attached to the lower surface towards the rear end 101-2 of the body 101. The fin box 104 may be adapted to be removably coupled to the surface of the body 101 of the paddleboard 100 (alternatively the fin box could be integrally formed with the paddleboard 100, for example by being embedded in the board).

[0028] Referring to Figure la and lb, in the illustrated embodiment, the fin box 104 may include, but is not limited to, an elongate structure 106 having a pair of opposed walls 108 defining a slot 110. At least one, and typically both, of the walls 108 may include a channel 112 extending in a direction along a length of the elongate structure 106. The channel 112 defines an undercut feature in the slot 110. The fin 102 may include, but is not limited to, a foil portion 114 and an engaging portion 116 disposed underneath the foil portion 114. The engaging portion 116 may be adapted to be releasably received in the slot 110 of the fin box 104.

[0026] Referring to Figure la and Figure lb, the paddleboard according to embodiments includes a quick-release mechanism 118 adapted to releasably attach the fin 102 to the fin box 104 of the paddleboard Although, the quick-release mechanism 118 of the present disclosure is explained with respect to a paddleboard having a single fin and a single fin box it will be appreciated that is not limited as such and can be implemented for attaching multiple fins to multiple fin boxes disposed on the paddleboard.

[0030] Constmctional and operational details of the quick-release mechanism 118 will now be described. Figures 2a and 2b illustrate enlarged isometric views of a portion 'A' of Figure lb depicting the quick-release mechanism 118, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the portion 'A' of Figure lb depicting the quick-release mechanism, according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 2a, Figure 2b, and Figure 3, the quick-release mechanism 118 may include a primary locking arm 202 and a secondary locking arm 204 [0031] The primary locking arm 202 may be disposed at a rear end 104-2 of the fin box 104. The primary locking arm 202 may be adapted to be engaged with the fin 102 and rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position. The primary locking arm 202 may include a first locking end 206 and a second actuation end 208 distal to the first locking end 206. The first locking end 206 may be adapted to be engaged with the fin 102 in the locked position of the primary locking arm 202 to restrict a vertical movement of the fin 102 with respect to the fin box 104. Further, the second actuation end 208 may be adapted to be manually movable to rotate the primary locking arm 202 between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0032] In accordance with embodiments a secondary locking arm 204 is also disposed at the rear end 104-2 of the fin box 104. The secondary locking arm 204 may be adapted to releasably engaged with the second end 208 of the primary locking arm 202 to restrict rotate movement of the primary locking arm 202 away from its locked position. The secondary locking arm 204 may be adapted to be moved in a longitudinal direction with respect to the fin box 104 to disengage the second actuation end 208 from the secondary locking arm 204 and allow the rotate movement of the primary locking arm 202.

[0033] As explained earlier, the fin 102 may include the engaging portion 116 disposed underneath the foil portion 114 and adapted to be engaged with the fin box 104 to releasably attach the fin 102 to the fin box 104. Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment, the engaging portion 116 may extend from a front end 116-2 to a rear end 116-1 distal to the front end 116-2. The rear end 116-1 may include a recess or groove 302 adapted to be engaged with the primary locking arm 202 of the fin box 104. In the locked position, the primary locking arm 202 may engage with the groove 302 of the rear end 116-Ito restrict the vertical movement of the fin 102 with respect to the fin box 104. Further, in the unlocked position, the primary locking arm 202 may disengage from the groove 302 of the rear end 116-1 to allow the vertical movement of the fin 102 with respect to the fin box 104. The first locking end 206 may be adapted to be rotated into engagement with the groove 302 of the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116. The locking end 206 may abut an end face of the groove 302 such that in the locked position there is a friction fit between the faces which securely locates and holds the fin in position relative to the fin box.

[0034] As shown by arrow U in Figure 3, the actuation end 208 of the primary locking arm 202 may be adapted to be rotated in an upward direction with respect to the fin box 104 to move the primary locking arm 202 to the unlocked position. In particular, the upward movement of the primary locking arm 202 may rotate the first locking end 206 out of the groove 302 of the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion Ho to disengage the primary locking arm 202 from the fin 102. Further, counter rotation of the primary locking arm 202 by moving the actuation end 208 in a downward direction with respect to the fin box 104 may move the primary locking arm 202 to the locked position. In particular, the locking movement of the primary locking arm 202 may rotate the first locking end 206 into the groove 302 of the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 to engage the primary locking arm 202 with the fin 102.

[0035] As best seen in Figure 2a, the secondary locking arm 204 may be adapted to be snap-locked with the second actuation end 208 of the primary locking arm 202. The second actuation end 208 may include an opening or slot 212, surrounded by peripheral walls 210, adapted to snap-fit engage with the secondary locking arm 204. The secondary locking arm 204 may include a flat-head portion 304 adapted to be received through the slot 212 and seated on at least one of the plurality of peripheral walls 210. The flat-head portion 304 may be adapted to be moved in a lateral direction with respect to the fin box 104 to disengage the flat-heat portion 304 from one of the plurality of peripheral walls 210 of the second locking end 208.

[0036] Figures 4a and 4b illustrates side views of the engagement of a fin 102 with the fin box 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the fin 102 may include, but is not limited to, a stopper 402 attached to the front end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 and adapted to be engaged with the channel 112 to restrict lateral movement of the fin 102 towards a front end of the fin box 104. The stopper 402 may be adapted to be inserted in the channel 112 through a gap 404 defined in one of the plurality of walls 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper 402 may include a concave-shaped surface 402-1 and a convex-shaped surface 402-2. Referring to Figure 4a, the stopper 402 may be inserted in the channel 112 through the gap 404 in a manner that the concave-shaped surface 402-1 of the stopper 402 may slidably abut at least one of the walls 108 of the fin box 104.

[0037] Figures 5a, 5b, and Sc illustrate an operation of releasably detaching the fin 102 to the fin box 104 via the quick-release mechanism 118, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c, the secondary locking arm 204 may be moved in a longitudinal direction towards a rear end of the paddleboard 100. Owing to such movement of the secondary locking arm 204, the flat-head portion 304 of the secondary locking arm 204 may be dislodged from the at least one peripheral walls 210 of the second actuation end 208 of the primary locking arm 202. This results in disengagement of the second actuation end 208of the primary locking arm 202 from the flat-head portion 304 of the secondary locking arm 204.

[0038] Further, the primary locking arm 202 may be rotated in the upward and forward direction to rotate the first locking end 206 out of the the groove 302 of the fin 102. Owing to such movement of the primary locking arm 202, the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 of the fin 102 may be disengaged from the first locking end 206 of the primary locking arm 202. The fin 102 may then be lifted from the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 and subsequently, tilted in a manner that the stopper 402 may slide-out from the channel 112 through the gap 404 defined in one of the plurality of walls 108 of the fin box 104. This results in removal of the fin 102 from the fin box 104 of the paddleboard 100.

[0039] Figures 6a-6e illustrate an operation of releasably attaching the fin 102 to the fin box 104 via the quick-release mechanism 118, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Referring to Figure Ga and Figure 6b, the fin 102 may be tilted and held in a manner that the front end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 of the fin 102 may be initially inserted in the slot 110 of the fin box 104. The front end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 may be inserted in the slot 110 in a manner that the stopper 402 may slide in the channel 112 through the gap 404 defined in one of the plurality of walls 108 of the fin box 104. Subsequently, the stopper 402 may abut at least one of the plurality of walls 108 to restrict lateral movement of the fin 102 within the slot 110 in a direction towards the front end 104-1 of the fin box 104.

[0040] Thereafter, the primary locking arm 202 may be rotated in the downward direction with respect to the fin box 104 to engage the first locking end 206 with the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 of the fin 102. The first locking end 206 may slide in the groove 302 formed at the rear end 116-2 of the engaging portion 116 to lock the fin 102 with the fin box 104. It may be noted that the locking arm both restricts movement of the fin out of the slot (i.e. preventing) vertical movement) and also acts to longitudinally wedge the fine between the stopper 402/gap 404 and the locking arm 202 (i.e. preventing longitudinal movement). Subsequently, the second actuation end 208 of the primary locking arm 202 may be snap-locked with the flat-head portion 304 of the secondary locking arm 204, hi particular, the flat-head portion 304 may be received in the slot 110 at the second actuation end 208 and snap-locked with one of the plurality of peripheral walls 210 defining the slot 212.

[0041] The present disclosure provides a paddleboard, such as the paddleboard 100. Further, the paddleboard 100 of the present disclosure includes a quick-release mechanism, such as the quick-release mechanism 118, that eliminates problems associated with paddleboards, and conventional release mechanisms The paddleboard 100 of the present disclosure precludes the possibility of inadvertent disengagement a fin, such as the fin 102, from a fin box, such as the fin box 104. Accordingly, the paddleboard 100 provided disclosure eliminates the loss of fins occurring because of disengagement of the fin 102 from the fin box 104.

[0042] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the quick-release mechanism 118, also facilitates quick and convenient engagement of the fin 102 to the fin box 104. As such, the quick-release mechanism 118 also acts as a mechanism that resists inadvertent disengagement of the fin 102. More specifically, the quick-release mechanism 118 includes a secondary locking arm, such as the secondary locking arm 204 that is adapted to be snap-locked with a second locking end, such as the second actuation end 208of the primary locking arm 202. When the secondary locking arm 204 is snap-locked with the second locking end 208, the fin 102 remains engaged with the fin box 104. On the other hand, when the secondary locking arm 204 is snap-unlocked, i.e manually moved to an unlockable position, with the second locking end 208, the fin 102 gets free to be disengaged from the fin box 104. Accordingly, by employing the secondary locking arm 204, and utilizing its snap-lock and snap-unlock characteristics, the quick-release mechanism 118 of the present disclosure resists inadvertent disengagement of the fin 102.

[0043] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSA fin locking mechanism for releasably attaching a fin to a fin box of a paddleboard, the locking mechanism comprising: a primary locking member adapted to be engaged with a fin and movable between a locked position in which the locking member restricts movement of the fin with respect to the fin box and an unlocked position in which the fin may be removed from the fin box, and a secondary locking member adapted to releasably engage the primary locking member in its locked position, said engagement preventing movement of the primary locking member away from its locked position.
The fin locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the primary locking member comprises a first end adapted to engage the fin in the locked position, and a second end distal to the first end and adapted to be engaged by a user to move the primary locking arm between the locked position and the unlocked position.
The fin locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the secondary locking mechanism restrict movement of the primary locking member by engaging the second end of the primary locking member.
The fin locking mechanism of claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary locking member comprises a locking arm having a pivot between the first end and the second end and rotates between the locked and unlocked position about said pivot.
The fin locking mechanism of claim 4, wherein the secondary locking member is adapted to be moved in a longitudinal direction with respect to the fin box to disengage and allow the rotation of the primary locking member.
The fin locking mechanism of any preceding claim wherein the primary locking member comprises a slot and the secondary locking member comprises a latch member for engaging the slot to retain the primary locking member away from its locked position.
The fin locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the latch member resiliently deforms pass through the slot of the primary locking mechanism and comprises a tooth having a smooth surface on one face to cam the latch member through the slot and a steep face on the opposing surface to latch against the slot.
B. The fin locking mechanism of any of claims Ito 6, wherein the primary locking member comprises a head adapted to engage a groove in a fin to fix the position of the fin with respect to the fin box.
The fin locking mechanism of any of claims 1 and 6 wherein the primary and secondary locking members are operable in opposing directions.
10. A fin box assembly comprising a fin box including a fin locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim and a fin comprising a foil portion and an engaging portion disposed underneath the foil portion and adapted to be engaged with the fin box to releasably attach the fin thereto, and wherein the engaging portion comprises a groove or recess in a rear end for engagement by the primary locking member.
11. A fin box assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tin box comprises a pair of spaced apart opposing walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the engaging portion of the fin and wherein the fin locking mechanism is provided at a rearward end of the channel.
12. A paddleboard comprising a body and at least one fin locking mechanism as claimed in any of claims t to 9.
13. A paddleboard as claimed in claim 12, wherein paddle board further comprises a fin box having a pair of spaced apart opposing walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the engaging portion of the fin and wherein the fin locking mechanism is provided at a rearward end of the channel.