US20050064775A1 - Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin - Google Patents
Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050064775A1 US20050064775A1 US10/666,426 US66642603A US2005064775A1 US 20050064775 A1 US20050064775 A1 US 20050064775A1 US 66642603 A US66642603 A US 66642603A US 2005064775 A1 US2005064775 A1 US 2005064775A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fin
- box
- leash
- surfboard
- possessing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
- B63B32/60—Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards
- B63B32/66—Arrangements for fixation to the board, e.g. fin boxes or foil boxes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
- B63B32/60—Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards
- B63B32/64—Adjustable, e.g. by adding sections, by removing sections or by changing orientation or profile
Definitions
- This invention relates to surfboard fins and fin boxes, where multiple fins at the aft end of the board are used for directional control and stability.
- Typical surfboard fin systems consist of a fin box inserted into the surface of the surfboard at its aft end on the underside of the board plus a surfboard fin that is inserted into the box and held fixedly.
- the fin can be removed from the box by means of unscrewing screws or unloosening some other attachment device, removing the broken fin, and replacing it with a new one.
- the same attachment devices are then re-tightened or reattached and the board can be used once again.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,681 by Lobe teaches a sailboard fin system with a leash connecting the fin to the fin box.
- the sailboard fin box is a through-the-board system unlike surfboard systems and the fin attachment mechanism is designed to break selectively to prevent damage to the fin from striking underwater objects.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,989 teaches a system for permitting sailboard or surfboard fin depth adjustment.
- None of the prior art devices posses the unique capabilities of the present invention, namely adjustable attachment devices that allow a fin to be re-attached while the surfboard rider is in the water or at he beach and a box that does not require a through-the-board anchoring.
- the attachment devices can be adjusted to hold the fin tightly enough to provide board control for the rider but loosely enough that the fin will pop out and remain undamaged when striking an underwater obstacle.
- the present invention consists of a new design for a surfboard fin box and fin that allows the fin to be connected to the box by means of a leash.
- the present invention also possesses adjustable attachment devices in the box that permit the surfboard rider to insert the fin into the box and control the amount of retentive friction exerted on the fin by the box.
- the adjustable attachment devices will release the fin when an underwater obstruction is encountered and the leash will retain the fin connected to the fin box, and thus to the board.
- a surfer can re-attach the fin to the box by use of a simple attachment device adjustment tool, such as a hex wrench, even in the water. None of the components of the box or the fin system are destroyed to permit the fin to break loose, so the system can be re-used without purchasing and replacing parts.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment of the invention as installed on a surfboard.
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the fin detached from the box.
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the box.
- FIG. 4 is front view of the invention with the fin detached from the box.
- FIG. 5 is a cross section view showing the fin inserted into the box.
- FIG. 6 is a side view showing the fin inserted into the box with an alternative shape for the fin base.
- the operation of the invention can be appreciated by looking at the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the invention consists of a fin box 101 that is fixedly inserted into a surfboard 100 , and a leash 102 attaching a fin 103 to the fin box 101 .
- FIG. 2 the leash attachment position 104 and the plurality of fin attachment points 105 are shown.
- FIG. 5 the inserted fin 103 is shown, with the leash 102 stowed under the fin 103 in the fin cutout 106 .
- the inserted end 109 of the fin 103 possesses two bevel cuts 106 that permit the fin 103 to release easily from the fin box 101 .
- the fin attachment points 105 are shown alongside the fin box slot 107 , where the fin 103 is inserted.
- FIG. 4 it can be seen that the fin attachment points 105 are slanted to the perpendicular so that the fin attachment means 108 can be pressed against the side of the fin 103 with adjustment pressure.
- the fin attachment means 108 are a pair of set screws that can be tightened by a standard hex wrench.
- FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the inserted end 109 of the fin 103 possesses a rounded shape 110 , unlike the bevel cuts 106 of the preferred embodiment.
- This shape is designed to fit the curvature of the box 101 as shown.
- the rounded shape fits more snugly into the box 101 but still releases easily when the fin 103 is struck from either front or back.
- the fin box 101 does not move out of the surfboard 100 when the fin 103 is struck.
Abstract
A new design for a self-releasing surfboard fin and box is presented. The fin is held in the fin box by an attachment means that permits the fin to release easily when struck. The fin is retained connected to the box and the board by means of a fin leash. The fin is easily reattached by inserting the fin and then re-tightening the attachment means.
Description
- This invention relates to surfboard fins and fin boxes, where multiple fins at the aft end of the board are used for directional control and stability.
- Typical surfboard fin systems consist of a fin box inserted into the surface of the surfboard at its aft end on the underside of the board plus a surfboard fin that is inserted into the box and held fixedly. When a fin breaks or is damaged, the fin can be removed from the box by means of unscrewing screws or unloosening some other attachment device, removing the broken fin, and replacing it with a new one. The same attachment devices are then re-tightened or reattached and the board can be used once again.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,681 by Lobe teaches a sailboard fin system with a leash connecting the fin to the fin box. However, the sailboard fin box is a through-the-board system unlike surfboard systems and the fin attachment mechanism is designed to break selectively to prevent damage to the fin from striking underwater objects. U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,989 teaches a system for permitting sailboard or surfboard fin depth adjustment.
- None of the prior art devices posses the unique capabilities of the present invention, namely adjustable attachment devices that allow a fin to be re-attached while the surfboard rider is in the water or at he beach and a box that does not require a through-the-board anchoring. The attachment devices can be adjusted to hold the fin tightly enough to provide board control for the rider but loosely enough that the fin will pop out and remain undamaged when striking an underwater obstacle.
- The present invention consists of a new design for a surfboard fin box and fin that allows the fin to be connected to the box by means of a leash. The present invention also possesses adjustable attachment devices in the box that permit the surfboard rider to insert the fin into the box and control the amount of retentive friction exerted on the fin by the box. The adjustable attachment devices will release the fin when an underwater obstruction is encountered and the leash will retain the fin connected to the fin box, and thus to the board. A surfer can re-attach the fin to the box by use of a simple attachment device adjustment tool, such as a hex wrench, even in the water. None of the components of the box or the fin system are destroyed to permit the fin to break loose, so the system can be re-used without purchasing and replacing parts.
- It is an object of this invention to provide a surfboard box and fin system that is easy to use and maintain.
- It is a further object of this invention to provide a fin box that possesses easily adjustable attachment device for the fin.
- It is a further object of this invention to provide a fin that allows the storage of the leash directly under the fin.
- It is a further object of this invention to make the shape of the fin end that is inserted in the box such that the fin will release easily when struck from front or back, without any component of the fin or the box breaking.
- It is a further object of this invention to permit the user to make his own repairs of the fin by reattaching the fin to the box at sea or on the beach.
- The construction and operation of the invention can be readily appreciated from inspection of the drawings that accompany this application, combined with the detailed specification to follow.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment of the invention as installed on a surfboard. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the fin detached from the box. -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the box. -
FIG. 4 is front view of the invention with the fin detached from the box. -
FIG. 5 is a cross section view showing the fin inserted into the box. -
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the fin inserted into the box with an alternative shape for the fin base. - The operation of the invention can be appreciated by looking at the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
FIG. 1 . The invention consists of a fin box101 that is fixedly inserted into a surfboard100, and a leash102 attaching a fin103 to the fin box101. InFIG. 2 , the leash attachment position104 and the plurality of fin attachment points105 are shown. InFIG. 5 , the inserted fin103 is shown, with the leash102 stowed under the fin103 in the fin cutout106. Note that the inserted end109 of the fin103 possesses two bevel cuts106 that permit the fin103 to release easily from the fin box101. - In
FIG. 3 , the fin attachment points105 are shown alongside the fin box slot107, where the fin103 is inserted. InFIG. 4 , it can be seen that the fin attachment points105 are slanted to the perpendicular so that the fin attachment means108 can be pressed against the side of the fin103 with adjustment pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the fin attachment means108 are a pair of set screws that can be tightened by a standard hex wrench. -
FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the inserted end109 of the fin103 possesses a rounded shape110, unlike the bevel cuts106 of the preferred embodiment. This shape is designed to fit the curvature of the box101 as shown. The rounded shape fits more snugly into the box101 but still releases easily when the fin103 is struck from either front or back. The fin box101 does not move out of the surfboard100 when the fin103 is struck. - While the foregoing describes a preferred embodiment and several alternative embodiments, variation on this design and equivalent designs may be resorted to in the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
Claims (4)
1. An improved surfboard fin box system, the fin box system comprised of a box, a surfboard fin, and a fin leash,
the box a rectangular container with an open top, the container in an elongated rectangular shape, the length of the container sufficient to receive a surfboard fin through the open top of the box, the box possessing a plurality of fin attachment means, the fin attachment means disposed along the open top of the box such that the fin attachment means exert pressure on the side of a fin inserted into the open top of the box and resting in the box, the box possessing a box attachment point,
the fin possessing an inserted end and a fin end, the inserted end of the fin possessing a distinctive shape for quick fin release from the box,
the fin inserted end possessing a fin leash attachment point, one end of the fin leash attached removably to the fin leash attachment point, the fin leash other end attached removably to the box attachment point,
the fin inserted end possessing a fin leash cutout, the fin leash cutout shaped in such a manner as to permit the fin leash to be stored under the fin and inside the box when the fin is inserted into the open top of the box.
2. An improved surfboard fin box system as in claim 1 , where the inserted end of the fin possesses a distinctive shape which is two beveled cuts on opposite ends of the inserted end.
3. An improved surfboard fin box system as in claim 1 , where the inserted end of the fin possesses a distinctive shape which is a smoothly rounded curve.
4. An improved surfboard fin box system as in claim 1 , where the fin attachment means is a set screw fitted to a screw threaded slot.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/666,426 US20050064775A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/666,426 US20050064775A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050064775A1 true US20050064775A1 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
Family
ID=34313110
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/666,426 Abandoned US20050064775A1 (en) | 2003-09-22 | 2003-09-22 | Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20050064775A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080311807A1 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-18 | Luke William A | Modular fin for a surfboard, sailboard or other water-borne device |
WO2009075026A1 (en) * | 2007-12-11 | 2009-06-18 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin |
US20100178820A1 (en) * | 2007-07-19 | 2010-07-15 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin attachment structure and fin |
US20100311294A1 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2010-12-09 | Foulke Robert W | Pivotal surfboard fin assembly |
US8985351B1 (en) * | 2009-01-14 | 2015-03-24 | Todos Santos Surf, Inc. | Display device |
US9511827B2 (en) * | 2014-04-17 | 2016-12-06 | John Lowell | Leash retaining fin |
US9688365B2 (en) | 2012-07-09 | 2017-06-27 | Fin Control Systems Pty Limited | Fin plug for water craft |
US9957021B2 (en) | 2012-11-14 | 2018-05-01 | Fin Control Systems Pty. Limited | Fin plug for a water craft |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5133681A (en) * | 1991-05-10 | 1992-07-28 | Lobe Henry J | Frangible sailboard fin retaining member |
US5176096A (en) * | 1990-05-18 | 1993-01-05 | F2 International Ges.M.B.H. | Assembly for fastening a fin to a sailboard |
US6595817B1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-07-22 | Kung-Chao Chang | Surfboard |
-
2003
- 2003-09-22 US US10/666,426 patent/US20050064775A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5176096A (en) * | 1990-05-18 | 1993-01-05 | F2 International Ges.M.B.H. | Assembly for fastening a fin to a sailboard |
US5133681A (en) * | 1991-05-10 | 1992-07-28 | Lobe Henry J | Frangible sailboard fin retaining member |
US6595817B1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-07-22 | Kung-Chao Chang | Surfboard |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080311807A1 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2008-12-18 | Luke William A | Modular fin for a surfboard, sailboard or other water-borne device |
US8469757B2 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2013-06-25 | Fin & Fin Surf Board Fin Company | Modular fin for a surfboard, sailboard or other water-borne device |
US20100178820A1 (en) * | 2007-07-19 | 2010-07-15 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin attachment structure and fin |
US8282434B2 (en) | 2007-12-11 | 2012-10-09 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin |
WO2009075026A1 (en) * | 2007-12-11 | 2009-06-18 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin |
US20110028058A1 (en) * | 2007-12-11 | 2011-02-03 | Katsuyoshi Kumano | Fin |
US8985351B1 (en) * | 2009-01-14 | 2015-03-24 | Todos Santos Surf, Inc. | Display device |
US8414344B2 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2013-04-09 | Robert W. Foulke | Pivotal surfboard fin assembly |
US8083560B2 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2011-12-27 | Foulke Robert W | Pivotal surfboard fin assembly |
US20100311294A1 (en) * | 2009-06-05 | 2010-12-09 | Foulke Robert W | Pivotal surfboard fin assembly |
US9688365B2 (en) | 2012-07-09 | 2017-06-27 | Fin Control Systems Pty Limited | Fin plug for water craft |
US9862467B2 (en) | 2012-07-09 | 2018-01-09 | Fin Control Systems Pty Limited | Securing mechanism for water craft fin |
US10377452B2 (en) | 2012-07-09 | 2019-08-13 | Fin Control Systems Pty Limited | Fin plug for water craft |
US9957021B2 (en) | 2012-11-14 | 2018-05-01 | Fin Control Systems Pty. Limited | Fin plug for a water craft |
US9511827B2 (en) * | 2014-04-17 | 2016-12-06 | John Lowell | Leash retaining fin |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |