Universal fin box system and insert system for fin box to accomodate different fin designs

Abstract

A fin box insert system (100) for a fin box system (200) comprising first and second removable fin box inserts (42, 44), each insert comprising a first triangularly shaped element (T1) and a second triangularly-shaped element (T2), the first and second triangularly shaped elements (T1, T2) are interconnected to each other by a transversal bar or tab (B), and a third removable center fin box insert (40) including a vertical wall (VW) and a horizontal wall (HW).

Description

[0001] UNIVERSAL FIN BOX SYSTEM AND INSERT SYSTEM FOR FIN BOX TO

[0002] ACCOMODATE DIFFERENT FIN DESIGNS

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] (0001) This invention relates to the general field of surfing and surfboard fins, and more specifically to a fin box system that will allow a single fin box to use different types of surfboard fins, and corresponding fin box inserts for a novel fin box system.

[0005] DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

[0006] (0002) U.S. Patent No. 11,345,448 describes a fin box capable of accepting either accommodating a Futures or an FCS fin without the need for any additional products being added to either the fins or the fin box. The box has an internally adjustable wedge that can force the bottom of a fin into an indent, thereby giving it a cant or angle.

[0007] (0003) U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0239532 describes a fin box adapter that can be attached to one type of fin, by the use of two screws, so that the fin can be inserted into a larger fin box.

[0008] (0004) International Patent Publication No. WO2022 / 112975 describes a fin retention system where different fin carriages are needed to attach a fin to a customary fin box type.

[0009] (0005) However, despite these solutions proposed by the background art, an improved and further simplified fin box system and fin box insert system is desired, for the attachment of different types of existing fin types to a surfboard, without the need of any additional moving parts, such as screws and slidable wedges, without the need of a multitude of components, and without the need of proposing an entirely new fin box design to thereby allowing to rely on an existing fin box attachment mechanisms.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] (0006) According to an aspect of the present invention, a fin box insert system is provided. Preferably, the fin box insert system includes first and second removable fin box inserts, each insert comprising a first triangularly shaped element and a second triangularly- shaped element, the first and second triangularly shaped elements interconnected to each other by a transversal bar, tab, or plate, and a third removable center fin box insert including a vertical wall and a horizontal wall.

[0012] (0007) Preferably, the first triangularly-shaped element includes two triangularly- shaped spacers with an open space therebetween, and the second triangularly-shaped element includes two triangularly-shaped spacers with an open space therebetween. In addition, a third open space can be provided between the two triangularly-shaped elements. Moreover, preferably, the vertical wall of the third removable center fin box insert includes two traversing openings.

[0013] (0008) Preferably, a slope angle relative to a vertical axis or extension of an inclined surface of the triangularly-shaped elements is in a range between 2° and 30°, more preferably in a range between 3° and 15°, even more preferably in a range between 3° and 12°. In addition, preferably, each one of the first, second, and third removable fin box inserts 42, 44, 40 is made from one piece of material to form one element, for example a polymeric material, for example manufactured by injection molding, machining, or three-dimensional printing.

[0014] (0009) According to another aspect of the present invention, a fin box system for a surfboard is provided. Preferably, the fin box system includes first and second side fin boxes for removably holding first and second side fins, respectively, a third central fin box for removably holding a third central fin, first and second removable side fin box inserts for engaging with the first and second side fins and the first and second side fin boxes, respectively, and a third removable central fin box insert for engaging with the central fin and the third central fin box. Preferably, the first, second, and third removable fin box inserts are removed from the first, second, and third fin boxes, respectively, to attach different types of fins to the first, second and third fin boxes, respectively, without the use of any other insert. (00010) According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a center fin box system is provided. Preferably, the center fin box system includes a center fin box and a removable center fin box insert, the center fin box having a fin box opening that is dimensioned for holding either a first type of fin and the removable center fin box insert, and the center fin box further having holes for using conventional attachment screws for the first type of fin, or for holding a second type of fin that is different from the first type of fin without the removable center fin box insert, the center fin box also having an additional hole for using a conventional attachment screw for the second type of fin. Preferably, the removable center fin box insert is made of one piece of material, and has no parts that can slide or move relative to one other. Also, according to another aspect of the invention, a center fin box is provided, without the center fin box insert.

[0015] (00011) According to still another aspect of the present invention, a side fin box system is provided. Preferably, the side fin box system includes a side fin box and a removable side fin box insert, the side fin box having a fin box opening that is dimensioned for holding either a first type of fin and the removable side fin box insert, the side fin box having holes for using conventional attachment screws for the first type of fin, or for holding a second type of fin that is different from the first type of fin without the removable side fin box insert, the side fin box also having an additional hole for using a conventional attachment screw for the second type of fin. Preferably, the removable side fin box insert is made of one piece of material, and has no parts that can slide or move relative to one other. . Also, according to another aspect of the invention, a side fin box is provided, without the side fin box insert.

[0016] (00012) Preferably, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the first, second and third fins correspond to a first type of fin, being at least one of an FCS type fin, and FCS II type fin, a Captain type fin, a Geos type fin, or a Plate type fin, or correspond to a second type of fin, being a Futures type fin.

[0017] (00013) The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description and appended claims with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] (00014) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention.

[0019] (00015) FIG. 1A shows an exemplary and perspective view of fin box insert system 100 including first and second removable fin box inserts 42, 44, each insert comprising a first triangularly shaped element T1 and a second triangularly -shaped element T2, the first and second triangularly shaped elements Tl, T2 are interconnected to each other by a transversal bar, tab, or plate, and a third removable center fin box insert 40, preferably having an L- shaped cross section, according to another aspect of the present invention;

[0020] (00016) FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view showing a fin box system 200 attached to a surfboard 10, according to an aspect of the present invention, showing an exemplary cross-sectional and illustrative view of a first side fin box 22, a second side fin box 24, and a third central fin box 20, for removably holding first side fin 32, second side fin 34, and third central fin 30, showing a third removable central fin box insert 40 positioned between the central fin 30 and the central fin box 20, and also showing the first and second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44 positioned between the fins 32, 34 and the fin box 22, 24, respectively, with inserts 40, 42, 44 being elements or part of the fin box insert system 100; (00017) FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of an exemplary removable central fin box insert 40, the insert 40 configured to be inserted into the fin box opening FBO, also referred to as fin receiving slot or groove, of the third central fin box 20, respectively, so that the third central fins 30 can be firmly but removably attached to the central fin box 20; (00018) FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of one of an exemplary first or second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44, the inserts 42, 44 configured to be inserted into the fin box opening FBO of the first or second side fin box 22, 24, respectively, so that the first and second side fins 32, 34 can be firmly but removably attached to the respective fin boxes 22, 24;

[0021] (00019) FIGs. 4A-4G show different views of the fin boxes 20, 22, 24 that can be used together with the fin box insert system 100, to form a fin box system 200 according to an aspect of the present invention, dimensioned and configured to accommodate the respective fin box insert 40, 42, 44 when fins 30, 32, 34 of the first type, according to another aspect of the present invention, with the following illustrations:

[0022] (00020) FIG. 4A showing a representation of a front face of one of an exemplary and non-limiting first and second side fin box 22, 24 and of a third central fin box 20, as they would appear from the bottom surface of a surfboard 10, having a rectangularly-shaped insertion opening for the fin box opening FBO, with no fin inserted therein;

[0023] (00021) FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary first and second side fin boxes 22, 24 seen in a depth direction of the FBO of the fin boxes 22, 24, with no first or second side fin 32, 34 and no second removable side fin box insert 42, 44 inserted therein, showing different widths of the fin box opening FBO defining four (4) different open volumes along a longitudinal extension, for receiving the first or second side fin 32, 34; (00022) FIG. 4C shows a cut-open perspective view of the exemplary first and second side fin boxes 22, 24, with no first or second side fin 32, 34 and no second removable side fin box insert 42, 44 inserted therein, showing alternating side surfaces of the four (4) different open volumes of the fin box opening FBO that are either vertically or obliquely arranged to form oblique surfaces OS, and also showing two holes Hl and H2 for accommodating the two (2) attachment screws of the first type of fin, and a hole H6 for accommodating one (1) attachment screw for the second, different type of fin, also showing the conventional rear attachment tab T needed for attachment of a fin of the second type;

[0024] (00023) FIG. 4D shows a cross-sectional view of the second side fin box 24 with no second side fin 34 and no second removable side fin box insert 44 inserted therein, whereas a cross-sectional view of first side fin box 22 would be a mirror-symmetric representation of the same, where it can be seen that the side walls are arranged at a 9° angle relative to the vertical axis or extension;

[0025] (00024) FIG. 4E shows a cut-open perspective view of the exemplary third central fin box 20 with no third central fin 30 and no third removable central fin box insert 40 therein, showing a substantially rectangular cuboid fin box opening FBO, showing two holes H4 and H5 for accommodating the two (2) attachment screws of the first type of fin, and the hole H6 for accommodating one (1) attachment screw for a fin of the second, different type, also showing the conventional rear attachment tab T needed for attachment of the fin of the second type;

[0026] (00025) FIG. 4F shows a cross-sectional view of the third central fin box 20 with no third central fin 30 and no third removable central fin box insert 40 in the fin box opening FBO, and showing hole H6 for the attachment screw;

[0027] (00026) FIG. 4G shows a top perspective view of one of the exemplary first and second side fin box 22, 24 and of a third central fin box 20, as they would appear when removed or not yet built into the surfboard 10, with no fins inserted therein, with the different holes Hl, H2, H3, H4 for the conventional atachment screws of the fin of the first type, and one hole H5 / H6 for the conventional atachment screw of the fin of the second type;

[0028] (00027) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary central fin box system 300, showing the third central fin box 20 with a third central fin 30 inserted therein extending along a longitudinal direction, and having the third removable central fin box insert 40 positioned between the central fin 30 of the first type and the central fin box 20, the third central fin box 20 and the third removable central fin box insert 40 forming the central fin box system 300, according to yet another aspect of the present invention;

[0029] (00028) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of and exemplary a side fin box system 400 including the second side fin box 24 with a second side fin 34 inserted therein extending along the longitudinal direction, and having the second removable side fin box insert 44 positioned between the fin 34 and the fin box 24, whereas a cross-sectional view of first side fin box 22 would be a mirror-symmetric representation of the same, the fin box opening FBO forming a trapezoidal-shaped surface area in the cross-sectional view, where second side fin box 24 and the second removable side fin box insert 44 (or alternatively the first side fin box 22 and the second removable fin box insert 42) forming a side fin box system 400, according to still another aspect of the present invention; and

[0030] (00029) FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a surfboard 10, showing a location of the different fin boxes 40, 42, 44 in the botom surface of the hull of the surfboard 10.

[0031] (00030) Herein, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. Also, the images in the drawings are simplified for illustration purposes and may not be depicted to scale.

[0032] DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] (00031) FIG. 1A shows an exemplary and perspective view of fin box insert system 100 including first and second removable fin box inserts 42, 44, each insert comprising a first triangularly shaped element T1 and a second triangularly -shaped element T2, the first and second triangularly shaped elements Tl, T2 are interconnected to each other by a transversal bar or tab B, and a third removable center fin box insert 40 having an L-shaped cross section, the L-shaped cross section formed by a vertical wall VW and a horizontal wall HW. It is also possible that the third removable center fin box insert 40 can have a U-shaped cross section, with one horizontal wall HW that connects to two vertical walls VW being half the thickness of a corresponding single VW.

[0034] (00032) With respect to the center fin box insert 40, according to an aspect of the invention, and as illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 2, the L-shaped cross section is made from a vertical wall VW and a horizontal wall HW that are attached to each other at a 90-degree angle along a long edge thereof. Horizontal wall HW need not be a continuous wall, but can also have several sections with openings therebetween. Similarly, vertical wall VW can have different openings along the wall, or sections that have no wall. In this respect horizontal wall HW acts as a bottom spacer to provide for an additional distance between a first type of fin 30 and the bottom wall of the fin box opening FBO. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the insert 40 is more than 100 mm long, preferably 107 mm long so that it can be accommodated into a fin box opening FBO of a central fin box 20 as illustrated in FIGs. 4D and 4E, and the vertical wall VW as well as the horizontal wall HW having a thickness of about 0.6 mm, + / - 0.0.5 mm. The horizontal wall HW has a width (a lateral extension) of about 6.5 mm to 7 mm, preferably 7mm to allow for insertion to the fin box opening FBO having a width of 7. 1 mm, and the vertical wall VW has a width in a range of about 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 14 mm to correspond to the depth of the fin box opening FBO of the fin box 20. The two openings OP1, OP2 are spaced apart such that two conventional attachment screws of the first type of fin (e.g. FCS I, FCS II, etc.) can traverse the openings OP1, OP2 to engage with a selected central fin, and therefore a center of the two openings 0P1, OP2 is preferably spaced apart by about 53 mm. As the conventional attachment screws of the first type of fin (e.g. FCS I, FCS II, etc.) are about 3 mm wide, generally they are M3 type screws, the openings are at least 3 mm wide or more. The openings OP1, OP2 are shown to have a rectangular shape, but could have any shape for passing the attachment screws of the first type of fin, or could also be a cut-out section from vertical wall VW. Center fin box insert 40 is dimensioned such that upon insertion and placement of the insert 40 to the empty center fin box 20, a center fin 30 of the first type that is inserted thereto for a slip-fitted, loose interference-fitted or loose press-fitted interconnection between center fin 30 of the first type, center fin box insert 40, and fin box 20.

[0035] (00033) With respect to each of the first and second removable fin box inserts 42, 44, as shown exemplarily in FIG. 3, the first triangularly-shaped element Tl includes two triangularly-shaped spacers with an open space therebetween OS1, and the second triangularly-shaped element T2 includes two triangularly-shaped spacers with an open space OS2 therebetween, with an open space OS3 arranged between the two triangularly-shaped elements Tl, T2. Preferably, the dimensions along a longitudinally-extending axis of the inserts 42, 44 are as follows, first triangularly-shaped spacer, first open space OS1, second triangularly-shaped spacer, each having a length of 8 mm, to form the first triangularly- shaped element Tl having a length of 24 mm, then an open spacing OS3 of 49 mm, third triangularly-shaped spacer, second open space OS2, fourth triangularly-shaped spacer, each having a length of 8 mm, to form the second triangularly-shaped element T2 having a length of 24 mm. This spacing allows to provide for a first and second lateral or side spacer 42, 44 that is both usable for the left-hand side and ride-hand side fin box 22, 24, respectively, having the exact same design.

[0036] (00034) As illustrated in the exemplary cross-sectional view of FIGs. IB and 6, with respect to the slope angle of the triangularly shaped elements Tl and T2, preferably, the slope angle is chosen such that the slope of a inclined surface IS is configured to be parallel to an inclined or oblique surface OS inside the corresponding fin box 22, 24, so that these surfaces IS and OS are arranged to be parallel to each other, when the first and second inserts 42, 44 are arranged inside the corresponding first and second fin box 22, 24. First and second fin box are illustrated in FIGs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D with different views. Preferably, both inclined surfaces IS of each triangularly-shaped spacers of each triangularly-shaped elements Tl, T2 have the same slope angle, so that the triangular shape of the cross-sectional area forms a Isosceles triangle or a triangle having two sides of equal length. The slope angle is defined as an angle of the orientation of the inclined surface IS of each triangularly-shaped elements Tl, T2 of the respective fin box insert 42, 44, and the vertical axis of extension VE, e.g. an axis of extension that is perpendicular to a bottom plane BP of the first and second fin box 22, 24.

[0037] (00035) In other words, and as illustrated with a non-limiting example in FIG. 6 with a cross-sectional representation, upon insertion of the insert 42, 44, to the fin box 22, 24, this slope angle serves to provide for an opening in the fin box 22, 24 that is delimited by two parallel walls IS and OS. This happens at a location where the cross-sectional area of the fin box opening FBO has a trapezoidal shape, so that a first type of fin (e.g. FCS I, FCS II and others as explained herein) can be removably attached to the fin box 22, 24, for example dimensioned for a slip-fitted, loose interference-fitted or loose press-fitted interconnection between fin 32, 34, insert 42, 44, and fin box 22, 24. The slope angle can be in a range that covers any possible cant angle or tilt angle that is given by the second type of fin and fin box system (e.g. a Futures type fin and fin box). For example, the slope angle can preferably be in a range between 2° and 30°, more preferably in a range between 3° and 15°, even more preferably in a range between 3° and 12°, for example an angular value of 3°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 9°, or 12°, respectively. (00036) In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment and its dimensions, the first and second inserts 42, 44 have a length of at least 80 mm, preferably about 90 mm, preferably about 96 mm, but less than a length of the opening of the fin box 22, 24 which is a little more than 97 mm, with the triangular-shaped elements Tl, T2 having a height of about 18 mm. In terms of width, the bar B at the largest location, is less than 7.1 mm wide, so that it can be fitted into the opening of the fin box 42, 44, which is 7.1 mm wide at the opening surface. (00037) In terms of manufacturing and materials used, preferably, the inserts are formed such that they are made from a synthetic material and formed to be one unitary piece. For example, the inserts 40, 42, 44 can be made by plastic molding, for example injection molding, where two molds can be used, one for the side inserts 42, 44, one for the center insert 40. In a variant, the inserts 40, 42, 44 are machined from a block of synthetic material, for example, a block of polymeric plastic. In another variant, the inserts can be made from a three-dimensional plastic printing technique. Analogously, the corresponding fin boxes 20, 22, 24 can be mode from one unitary piece by the same or similar material, using plastic molding or three-dimensional printing. For example, the materials can include but are not limited to plastic materials, composite plastic materials, resin, fiberglass-reinforced resin, polyurethane, carbon-reinforced polymer.

[0038] (00038) FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view showing a fin box system 200 that has been integrated into a surfboard 10, showing an exemplary cross-sectional and illustrative view of a first side fin box 22, a second side fin box 24, and a third central fin box 20, for removably holding first side fin 32, second side fin 34, and third central fin 30, and also showing a third removable central fin box insert 40 positioned between the central fin 30 and the central fin box 20, and also showing the first and second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44 positioned between the fins 32, 34 and the fin box 22, 24, respectively. Simply for illustration purposes, all three fin boxes 20, 22, 24 are shown in this cross-sectional view, but in a common implementation, it is possible that one could only see either the two side fin boxes 22, 24 or the third central fin box 20 within the same cross-sectional view. Also, it is possible that the system 200 includes five (5) or four (4) fin boxes and five (5) or four (4) fin box inserts, for example two side fins on each side, and one central fin, two side fins on each side, or one side fin on each side, and two central fins. Other configurations of the system 200 are also possible.

[0039] (00039) FIG. 4C shows a cut-open perspective view of the exemplary first and second side fin boxes 22, 24, showing the fin box opening FBO in a cut-open state for illustration purposes, according to an aspect of the present invention. Along a longitudinal axis, the fin box opening FBO has four (4) open volumes, with a first substantially rectangular cuboid at the location of the tab T, a second substantially trapezoid cuboid having hole Hl in the oblique sidewall OS, then a third substantially rectangular cuboid, and thereafter a fourth substantially trapezoid cuboid having hole H2 in the oblique sidewall OS and also having a hole H6 for the conventional attachment screw for the fin of the second type, hole H6 being in plane with a surface defined by the fin axis, obliquely reaching into the fourth substantially trapezoid cuboid. The second and fourth trapezoidal cuboids serve to receive the first and second triangularly-shaped elements Tl, T2 of the corresponding insert 42, 44 upon their insertion. Also, the fin box opening FBO is mirror-symmetric along a plane that is perpendicular to bottom plane BP and arranged to coincide with the vertical extension VE, with two other holes H3, H4 opposing the holes Hl, H2.

[0040] (00040) FIG. 4D shows a cut-open perspective view of the exemplary third central fin box 20, showing the fin box opening FBO in a cut-open state for illustration purposes, according to an aspect of the present invention. The fin box opening FBO is substantially a rectangular cuboid, and fin box 20 includes five (5) holes, two on each side with Hl, H2 shown on one side and H3, H4 on the other side (not shown) opposing each other, and an attachment hole H5 in plane with a surface defined by the fin axis, obliquely reaching into the fin box opening. On the side opposite the hole H5, the attachment tab T can be seen, that is conventional for the fin attachment of the second type. In a variant, tab T can be implemented as a metal bar. In terms of width of the rectangular cuboid that forms fin box opening FBO, the width is chosen to be slightly wider than an attachment base of a fin of the second type, which in turn is wider than an attachment base of a fin 30 of the first type. Thereby, upon inserting the fin 30 of the first type, a horizontal wall HW can be accommodated between fin base and side wall of the fin box opening.

[0041] (00041) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a center fin box system 300 showing central fin box insert 40 received in the fin box opening FBO of fin box 20, with a central fin 30 of the first type placed into the central fin box 20. In this arrangement, two conventional attachment screws can be laterally attached by using the lateral holes Hl, H2, H3, H4, so that screws traverse openings OP1, OP2 of center insert 40, to engage with fin 30 of the first type. Without center insert 40, a fin of the second type can be removably inserted, being slightly larger at the base, by engaging a slot with tab T, and using a conventional attachment screw via hole H5.

[0042] (00042) Analogous to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a side fin box system 400 showing side fin box insert 44 received in the fin box opening FBO of side fin box 24, with a side fin 34 of the first type placed into the side fin box 24. In this arrangement, two conventional attachment screws can be laterally attached by using the lateral holes Hl, H2, H3, H4, so that screws traverse two of openings OS1, OS2, OS3, of side fin box insert 44, to engage with fin 34 of the first type. Without side insert 44, a fin of the second type can be removably inserted, by engaging a slot with tab T, and using a conventional attachment screw via hole H6. Also, due to integrated cant angle of the second type of fin, no cant angle needs to be departed by fin box insert 44, and the insertion base of the second type of fin will engage with the vertical walls of the first and third rectangular cuboid of the fin box opening FBO.

[0043] (00043) Preferably, the fin box system 200 includes first and second side fin boxes 22, 24 for removably holding first and second side fins 32, 34, respectively, a third central fin box 20 for removably holding a third central fin 30, first and second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44 for engaging with the first and second side fins 32, 34 and the first and second side fin boxes 22, 24, respectively, and a third removable central fin box insert 40 for engaging with the central fin 30 and the third central fin box 20. The first and second side fins 32, 34 and the central fin 30 that are removably accommodated in the respective fin boxes 22, 24, and 20, respectively, can be part of a first fin set, for example being FCS I type fins, FCS II type fins, Captain type fins, Gears type fins, Plate type fins. This first fin set requires the insertion of the first and second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44 and the third removable central fin box insert 40 to the respective fin box, so that the first fin set can be firmly engaged into the fin boxes 22, 24, and 20, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. IB. In addition, the two attachment screws of the first fin type can be used for secure attachment, being two laterally inserted screws via holes H1 / H2 or holes H3 / H4, or a combination of H1 / H3 or H2 / H4, to have a screw inserted on each lateral side, thereby relying on the preexisting attachment mechanism by the laterally-attaching screws of the first fin type.

[0044] Preferably, the inserts 40, 42, 44 are dimensioned for a slip-fit or loose interference or press fit. A distance between holes Hl and H2 and between H3 and H4 is also about 53 mm. (00044) In addition, a second fin set that is different from the first fin set can be inserted into the fin boxes 22, 24, and 20, respectively, but only upon removal of the first and second removable side fin box inserts 42, 44 and the third removable central fin box insert 40. The second fin set, for example, can be of the Futures fin type. Therefore, when the first, second, and third removable fin box inserts 40, 42, 44 are removed from the first, second, and third fin boxes 20, 22, 24, respectively, it is possible to attach the fins of the second fin set to the respective fin boxes 20, 22, 24, with no inserts present. In other words, the first, second, and third fin boxes 20, 22, 24 are fin boxes that are designed for Future type fins, without requiring any inserts or other modification, requiring one only one attachment screw via hole H5 or H6 for secure engagement with fin, relying on the pre-existing fin attachment mechanism of the first fin type. In this respect, the fin box opening FBO of each fin box 20, 22, 24 is dimensioned to firmly but removably receive the fins of the second fin set, e.g. Future type fins, while the fin box inserts 40, 42, 44 are dimensioned to allow for a manual insertion of the fin box inserts 40, 42, 44 into the respective fin box 20, 22, 24, and to thereby form a remaining fin box opening FBO that allows to firmly but removably receive the fins 30, 32, 34 of the first fin set, e.g. FCS I, FCS II, Captain, Gears, or Plate type fins, preferably by slip fit or loose interference or press fit.

[0045] (00045) With the herein described fin box insert system 100, fin box system 200, center fin box system 300, and side fin box system 400, it is possible to provide for a simple and solution that allows to be used to holding different types of fins, for example either fins of the first type with the use of the inserts 40, 42, 44 or fins of the second type without the use of the inserts 40, 42, 44. For the secure attachment, the conventional and existing attachment screws can be used, for example either by using the two (2) side or lateral screws for the first type of fins together with inserts 40, 42, 44 placed into the respective fin box opening FBO, or by using the one (1) frontal screw for the second type of fin without inserts 40, 42, 44 in the respective fin box opening FBO. Other than the tightening of the screws at installation, or loosening the screws at removal, there are no other moving or sliding parts that are necessary. An exemplary fin box system 200 for holding three fins can thereby solely include six (6) parts, namely three fin boxes 20, 22, 24 that can be made from one piece, and three fin box inserts 40, 42, 44, thereby permitting easy and cost-efficient manufacturing, providing for a reliable solution. Also, no custom-made fins are necessary, as one can use the existing fin types from the marketplace with the fin box system 200.

[0046] (00046) While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSClaim 1 : A fin box insert system (100) comprising; first and second removable fin box inserts (42, 44), each insert comprising a first triangularly shaped element (Tl) and a second triangularly-shaped element (T2), the first and second triangularly shaped elements (Tl, T2) are interconnected to each other by a transversal bar or tab (B); and a third removable center fin box insert (40) including a vertical wall (VW) and a horizontal wall (HW).Claim 2: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first triangularly-shaped element (Tl) includes two triangularly-shaped spacers with an open space therebetween, and the second triangularly-shaped element (T2) includes two triangularly-shaped spacers with an open space therebetween.Claim 3: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vertical wall of the third removable center fin box insert (40) includes two traversing openings (OP1, OP2), wherein a spacing between the openings (OP1, OP2) and an open surface area formed by the openings (OP1, OP2) is such two fixation screws of a Futures fin box system can pass through the two openings (OP1, OP2) without being obstructed, when the third removable center fin box insert (40) is accommodated into the center fin box (20).Claim 4: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the vertical wall VW and the horizontal wall is about 0.6 mm + / - 0. 1 mm.Claim 5: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 2, wherein a spacing between the two open spaces (OS1, OS2) and a width of each open space (OS1, OS2) is such two fixation screws of a Futures fin box system can pass through the two open spaces (OS1, OS2) without being obstructed, when the first or second removable fin box inserts (42, 44) is accommodated into the respective first or second side fin box (22, 24).Claim 6: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, wherein a slope angle relative to a vertical axis (VE) is in a range between 2° and 30°, more preferably in a range between 3° and 15°, even more preferably in a range between 3° and 12°.Claim 7: The fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each one of the first, second, and third removable fin box inserts 42, 44, 40 are made from one piece of plastic or composite material.Claim 8: A fin box system (200) for a surfboard (10) including a fin box insert system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: first and second side fin boxes (22, 24) for removably holding first and second side fins (32, 34), respectively; a third central fin box (20) for removably holding a third central fin (30); wherein the first and second removable side fin box inserts (42, 44) are configured to engage with the first and second side fins (32, 34) and the first and second side fin boxes (22, 24), respectively, wherein the third removable central fin box insert (40) is configured to engage with the central fin (30) and the third central fin box (20), andwherein the first, second, and third removable fin box inserts (40, 42, 44) are removed from the first, second, and third fin boxes (20, 22, 24), respectively, to attach different types of fins to the first, second and third fin boxes (20, 22, 24), respectively.Claim 9: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the third removable center fin box insert (40) has an L-shaped cross section or a U-shaped crosssection.Claim 10: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the first and second removable fin box inserts (42, 44) comprise a plurality of triangularly shaped elements which are interconnected to each other by a transversal bar or tab (B).Claim 11: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the first and second lateral fin boxes (22, 24) comprise first and second fin box openings (FBO), respectively, the fin box openings (FBO) having dimensions to hold a second type of fin, and upon insertion of the first and second removable lateral fin housing inserts (42, 44) to the respective fin box opening (FBO), the remaining free spaces of the fin box openings (FBO) have dimensions to support a first type of fin that is different from the second type of fin.Claim 12: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the third central fin box (20) comprises a fin box opening (FBO), the fin box opening (FBO) having dimensions to hold a second type of fin, and when inserting the third removable central fin box insert (40) to the fin box opening (FBO), a free space remaining in the fin box opening (FBO) has dimensions to support a first type of fin that is different from the second type of fin.Claim 13: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the third removable center fin box insert (40) is dimensioned such that it can be manually inserted into and removed from the fin box opening (FBO) of the third central fin box (20).Claim 14: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the first and second removable fin box inserts (42, 44) are dimensioned such that they can be manually inserted into and removed from the fin box openings (FBO) of the first and second lateral fin boxes (22, 24), respectively.Claim 15: The fin box system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the first, second and third fin (32, 34, 30) are at least one of an FCS type fin, and FCS II type fin, a Captain type fin, a Geos type fin, or a Plate type fin, and wherein the second type of fin includes a Futures type fin.

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