Device for the detachable attachment of ribs to a plate for use in water sports

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to means for removably installing fins to a board used in water sports such as surfboards, wake boards, wind surfers, and stand up paddleboardsBACKGROUND

[0002] It is known for the tail end of such boards such as a surfboard to have one or more fins. The description in this specification will generally refer to surfboards but it is to be understood that the discussion of any point will also apply to the other boards envisaged by this invention.

[0003] Each fin may serve as a hydrofoil to improve stability and control as a surfer steers the board through the water using their feet. Surfboards are sometimes supplied without fins, with the intention that the fins will be purchased separately and retro-fitted. Also, over time fitted fins can become damaged, for example when surfing or transporting surfboards, and need replacement. It is also possible that fins can detach during conditions of adverse use, such as by coming into contact with the ground during surfing such that a fin will detach involuntarily. And, in some cases, it is desirable to change the size or style of fin used depending on wave conditions. Fitting or replacing fins can be problematic in that the process may require the application of significant force or the use of tools.

[0004] Examples of the related art are described in CN 104260844B (GELI LEISURE SPORTS ARTICLES CO LTD) and CN 106043615A (SHEN AIFU).OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[0006] It is an object of preferred forms of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problem. While this applies to at least preferred forms it should be understood that the object of the invention per se is simply to provide a useful choice. Therefore, any benefits or advantages applicable to a preferred embodiment should not be read-in as a limitation on any claims expressed more broadly.INTERPRETATION

[0007] The term "comprising" or related terms such as "comprises" should not be interpreted exclusively. They indicate the minimum features present, without ruling out the option of there being further unspecified features. The "features" may for example be physical parts and / or action steps.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a board for use in watersports as defined in claim 3.

[0009] The term "cam" is used herein in a general sense to describe an element that moves from one position to another under hand force to operatively engage with another element. The movement can be described as a swinging motion, which can be a rocking or pivoting motion of the first element about a pivot such that the first element then engages with the fin to lock the fin in position with the fin box. It is also envisaged that the pivoting motion of the first element can cause a further element which is a cam in the traditional sense to rotate and engage with the end of the fin to lock the fin in place.

[0010] According to examples, the releasable fit at one end is a conventional arrangement such as a tongue and groove fit, such that the fin has a groove that receives a tongue in the mount.

[0011] Optionally the tongue and groove fit is at a rear end of the fin and fin box.

[0012] Optionally the cam is located in the fin box at the front end opposite to that of the tongue and groove fit.

[0013] Optionally the cam is located between the rear end and the front end of the fin box.

[0014] Optionally the releasable fit is such as to prevent any vertical movement of the fin during use.

[0015] Optionally the cam engages a recess (eg the fin notch) of the fin to lock the fin in place by way of an interference (eg friction) fit. Fins are normally provided with such recesses and the cam will include an engagement means complementary to that recess to achieve an effective interference fit to lock the fin in place.

[0016] According to examples, the cam has a lug that releasably fits into the fin notch.

[0017] According to examples, the cam incorporates a plate that can be pressed on by a finger or thumb or both a finger and a thumb to pivot the plate between positions where the fin is and is not locked to the mount.

[0018] Optionally the pressure is exerted on the plate in the same downward direction when causing the rotation of the plate to a locked position as when it causes the rotation of the plate to an unlocked position.

[0019] Optionally, when the cam is in the locked position it is held there by an interference (eg friction) fit between the pivoting part and a stationary neighbouring part of the fin box by at least one projection such as a node on one part and at least one complementary depression for the projection on the other part .

[0020] Optionally one or more projections are located on the cam and the complementary depressions are located on a non-rotating neighbouring part of the fin box.

[0021] Optionally one or more depressions are located on the cam and the complementary projections are located on a non-rotating neighbouring part of the fin box.

[0022] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a board fin box as defined in claim 1.

[0023] Optionally the cam is at the opposite end of the or each channel.

[0024] Optionally the body portion is secured immovably in a cavity in the deck of the board.

[0025] Optionally the body portion has projections extending laterally from its external side or end surfaces to anchor the body portion into complementary recesses in the board cavity into which the mount is secured.

[0026] Optionally the means for removably securing the first end of a base or a, or each, base projection of the fin to the first end of the, or each, channel comprises a tongue on one part and a complementary groove on the other part.

[0027] Optionally the pivoting member includes a projection to lock into a complementary recess (eg a notch) provided on the opposite end of the base or the, or each, base projection of the fin.

[0028] According to examples, the pivoting member further includes a plate for application of force by a finger or thumb, or both finger and thumb, pressure to cause the projection on the pivoting member to move into and out of the recess (e.g. fin notch) on the fin.

[0029] Optionally the projection from the pivoting member is a lug shaped to tightly engage in the recess in the fin.

[0030] Optionally the cam is able to be held in a locked position by way of an interference fit between at least one projection (e.g a node) and complementary depression in a neighbouring surface of the body portion.

[0031] According to examples, there is provided a board for use in watersports comprising: a fin and a deck, a fin mount secured within a cavity in the deck, and the fin being releasably secured to the mount, the mount having one or more elongated slots, and the base of the fin or one or more base projections being configured to fit within the or each complementary slot in a releasable fit between one end of the base or base projection and that end of the slot, and the mount having a cam located at another portion of the mount engaging with a complementary portion of the fin base or base projection, the cam having a pivoting member pivotable by downwardly directed finger or thumb or both finger and thumb pressure on the member to move between a locked position in which the fin cannot be removed from the mount and an unlocked position allowing the fin to be removed from the mount.

[0032] According to examples, there is provided a board having a deck without any attached fins and having a fin mount comprising a body portion configured to be securable in a cavity in the deck of the board, one or more elongate slots in the body portion adapted to removably receive the base or one or more base projections of a board fin, means for removably receiving a first end of the base or the, or each, base projection of the fin at one end of the, or each, slot and a cam including a pivoting member, located at another portion of the, or each, slot, adapted to pivot to move between a locked position, to securely lock the base or the, or each, base projection of the fin, to the mount, and an unlocked position where the base or the, or each, base projection of the fin is removable from the mount, wherein the pivotable motion of the pivoting member involves a change in the plane of the pivoting member relative to the plane of the body portion, and wherein the cam, when the fin is in the locked position, is itself locked to the body portion.DRAWINGS

[0033] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surfboard with a fin installed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fin; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fin box; Figure 4 is a perspective, cutaway view of the box with the fin partially installed; Figure 5 is a perspective, cutaway view of the box with the fin installed; Figure 6 is a plan view of the box; Figure 7 is a cross section view of the box; Figure 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the box; and Figure 9 is a cross section view of an alternative embodiment of the box; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] As mentioned above the invention is broadly concerned with boards for use in watersports. The invention will be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which a surfboard is referred to. It is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments can be also applied to other boards such as wake boards, windsurfing boards and stand up paddleboards.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, the surfboard 1 has cavities 2 on the underside of the deck into each of which a mount, for example a fin box 3, is installed securely such that it will remain in place when the surfboard 1 is in use. The fin box 3 is normally secured within the cavities 2 such as by fibreglass as a board is being manufactured. Such conventional processes can be used in this invention.

[0036] The box 3 is adapted to receive a surfboard fin 4. In Figure 1 embodiment the surfboard is designed for two fin boxes and two fins, but in other embodiments there may be one, three, or more.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the fin 4 has a base 5 comprising a groove 6 in its rear end, a series of openings 7 and a recess such as a notch 8 in its front end. The notch 8 in fin manufacture is normally 'V' shaped. Other shapes can be provided and the projections on the pivoting member as discussed below will be adjusted to complement the notch shape.

[0038] The function of the openings 7 is to reduce the weight of the fin 4.

[0039] Some fin designs do not have a continuous base but have two or more projections depending from the base portion of the fin. Each of those projections will have a base portion that engages with a slot in the mount in a similar way.

[0040] Referring to Figure 3, the fin box 3 has a cam at one end including a pivoting member 9 which includes a pivoting member plate 9a for hand force to be applied such as plate 9a. The fin box 3 has an elongate slot, for example a channel 11. By hand force is meant that one or more fingers optionally together with a thumb can apply pressure to cause the pivoting member 9 to pivot about a pivot pin 10.

[0041] The cam has the pivot pin 10 for allowing the pivoting member 9 to pivot between a locked position as shown to lock the fin 4 in the fin box 3 and thus to the surfboard 1, and a release or unlocked position where the fin 4 can be removed by hand. The pivoting member plate 9a has a rearward portion 9c and an opposing forward portion 9b. The cam is designed such that hand force applied to the rearward portion 9c of the pivoting member plate 9a of the pivoting member 9 in the position shown in Figure 3 will cause the plate 9a to rotate about the pivot pin 10 to a position where the fin 4 is not locked and can be removed. The plate 9a locks at a position where a lug 12 in a cam as discussed below is designed to match the position of the notch 8 on the fin 4 when installed.

[0042] As shown, the fin box 3 incorporates a Koru design resembling waves. Alternatively other images, designs, brand names or marketing slogans can be incorporated into the box 3.

[0043] The pivot pin 10 needs to have sufficient strength to withstand the forces on it when the surfboard 1 is in use. A suitable material is a 316 grade stainless steel pin, 3mm in diameter.

[0044] The fixing of the fin 4 in the fin box 3 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5 where, for simplicity, the box 3 is illustrated cut away without the stylistic features of Figure 3.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the pivoting member 9 has a projection, such as the lug 12, that extends at a downwards angle from the plate 9a away from the top surface 9d into the channel 11. The lug 12 has a shape complementary to the fin notch 8.

[0046] The plate 9a also has a projection such as a raised node 13 on its front edge. and the node 13 is adapted to engage with a complementary depression (not shown) in a neighbouring edge of the fin box 3 when rotated to the locked position.

[0047] The lug 12 is preferably integrally moulded with the plate 9a from a suitable plastics material. Alternatively the lug 12 may be made of steel and may not be integral with the plate 9a.

[0048] The pivoting member 9 can be pivoted to the Figure 4 position by hand force, for example by pressing down on the rearward portion 9c of the pivoting member plate 9a with one's finger or thumb or with one or more fingers optionally together with a thumb.

[0049] The rear end of the fin's base 5 is positioned in the channel 11 so that the groove 6 fits around a tongue 14 extending from the rear end of the box 3. The rearward portion 9c extends towards the tongue 14 and the forward portion 9b extends away from the tongue 14. The base 5 of the fin 4 is then moved by a user holding the upper part of the fin 4 so that the front end swings into position resting in the channel 11.

[0050] Referring to Figure 5, once the front end of the fin 4 is moved so that the base 5 sits resting within the channel 11, the pivoting member 9 is pivoted by finger or thumb, or at least one finger optionally together with a thumb, pressure on the forward portion 9b of the pivoting member plate 9a, causing the end of the lug 12 to move into complementary engagement with the notch 8. The lug 12 engages with the forward end of the base 5 and in the notch 8 in a tight fit so that movement of the fin base 5 is prevented.

[0051] The top surface 9d of the plate 9a is flush with the surface of the fin box 3, causing the node 13 to engage with the complementary box depression. The fin 4 is then secure in the box 3 in the locked position. Movement is prevented by the tongue 14 and the groove 6 fit at one end of the box 3, the lug 12 and the recess 8 arrangement at the other, the secure fit of the cam in the fin box 3, the secure fit of the fin box 3 in the channel 11 and the fixing in the locked position of the pivoting member 9 so that further rotation of the pivoting member 9 is prevented.

[0052] This is facilitated by an interference fit (for example, friction fit) between the node 13 and the depression. In an alternative embodiment of the invention there may be more than one node 13, for example two or three, and they may be positioned as desired on the pivoting member plate edge surface for engagement each with their own complementary depression.

[0053] To remove the fin 4, the process is reversed. The pivoting member 9 is pivoted by sufficient finger or thumb pressure, or a combination thereof as described before, to the unlocked position so that the lug 12 is clear of the notch 8, the user holds the upper end of the fin 4 and pulls at a downward angle it so that the groove 6 is lifted out of engagement with the tongue 14 and the fin 4 is pulled out of the fin box 3.

[0054] The pivoting member plate 9a in operation is subjected to downward force in a direction towards the channel 11 by finger or thumb pressure, or a combination thereof as described before, both on the forward portion9b to move to a locked position and on the rearward portion 9c to then move to an unlocked position. During this movement the plane of the plate 9a (which is coplanar with a top surface 9d of the pivoting member plate 9a) then changes relative to the main plane of the fin box 3 and consequently the deck when installed on the deck.

[0055] Figures 6 and 7 are alternative views of the embodiment of the fin box 3. One embodiment of the cross section of the lug 12 is shown in Figure 7. The top surface 9d of the pivoting member plate 9a may be flush with the top of the fin box 3. When present in the cavity 2 in the deck of the surfboard 1 the upper surfaces of the fin box 3 may be flush with the under surface of the surfboard 1 so that the water flow is not affected in use.

[0056] Figures 8 and 9 show views of a further alternative embodiment of the fin box 3. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the channel 11 is shallower than in the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 and the cam 9 comprises a truncated lug 12a. The deeper and shallower versions of the fin box 3 are to allow use with different sized off-the-shelf fins.

[0057] In another embodiment the pivoting member plate 9a can be spring biased (not shown) to the locked position by a spring.

[0058] In all embodiments the cavity 2 in which the lug 12 of the pivoting member 9 moves is desirably kept to a minimum size to allow for it to operate effectively but to reduce the opportunity for foreign substances such as sand to collect in it.

[0059] In terms of disclosure, this document hereby anticipates and discloses any feature mentioned herein in combination with any one or more other features mentioned herein, even if such combination is not the subject of a claim.

[0060] Furthermore while the invention has been illustrated by reference to specific features, it is not to be construed as being limited thereto.

[0061] The invention clearly has industrial applicability. Many millions of boards for use in watersports are manufactured and sold annually which in use will require regular fin replacement. There is also a specific, credible and substantial use for the invention permitting a fin to be replaced on a board without the need for a user to carry an implement to remove the fin.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0062] The invention clearly has industrial applicability. Many millions of boards for use in watersports are manufactured and sold annually which in use will require regular fin replacement.UTILITY

[0063] There is also a specific, credible and substantial use for the invention permitting a fin to be replaced on a board without the need for a user to carry an implement to remove the fin.

Claims

1. A fin box (3) for securing a fin (4) in a cavity (2) of a board (1) for use in watersports, the board (1) having a deck with the cavity (2) formed in the deck, the deck defining an under surface and a main plane, the fin (4) having a fin notch (8) at one end of the fin (4) and a groove (6) at an opposing end of the fin (4), the fin box (3) comprising: a body portion having an elongate channel (11) formed therein and configured to receive the fin (4), the body portion being configured to be positioned in the cavity (2) of the board (1); an upper surface configured to be flush with the under surface of the board (1); a cam including a pivoting member (9) and a lug (12) that releasably fits into the fin notch (8); the fin box (3) being characterised in that: the pivoting member (9) includes a pivoting member plate (9a) having an upper surface defining a plane of the pivoting member (9), the cam being capable of a pivoting motion between a locked position and an unlocked position, in the locked position the fin (4) being locked in position and the cam itself being locked in position relative to the fin box (3) with the upper surface of the member plate (9a) being flush with the upper surface of the fin box (3), in the unlocked position the fin (4) being releasable from the fin box (3), the pivoting member plate (9a) can be pressed by a finger or thumb in a direction into the cavity (2) to pivot the pivoting member plate (9a) to move in a pivoting motion from the locked position where the fin (4) is secured in the fin box (3) to the unlocked position where the fin (4) is not secured in the fin box (3), the pivoting motion involving a change of orientation of the plane of the pivoting member (9) relative to the main plane of the fin box (3), the lug (12) extending into the channel (11) from the plate (9a) and being configured to engage the fin notch (8) with the cam in the locked position; and a tongue (14) extending in the channel (11) towards the cam and being configured to engage the groove (6) with the fin box (3) in a releasable fit.

2. The fin box (3) of claim 1 wherein the pivoting member plate (9a) has a top surface facing away from the channel (11), a rearward portion (9c) extending toward the tongue (14) and an opposing forward portion (9b) extending away from the tongue (14).

3. A board (1) for use in watersports, the board (1) comprising: a deck having a main plane; a fin box (3) according to claim 1 or claim 2; a cavity (2) in the deck in which the fin box (3) is secured; a fin (4) secured to the fin box (3), wherein one end of the fin (4) engages with the fin box (3) in a releasable fit, and another part of the fin (4) engages with the cam of the fin box (3).

4. The board (1) according to claim 3, wherein the releasable fit is the tongue (14) and groove (6) fit such that the fin (4) has a groove (6) that receives the tongue (14) of the fin box (3).

5. The board (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tongue (14) and groove (6) fit is at a rear end of the fin (4).

6. The board (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pivoting member (9) of the cam engages the fin notch (8) in the fin (4) to lock the fin (4) in place.

7. The board (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lug (12) of the pivoting member (9) releasably fits into the fin notch (8).

8. The board (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cam is locked in position by an interference fit between at least one projection and at least one complementary depression for the or each projection.

9. The board (1) according to claim 8, wherein the, or each, projection is on an edge surface of the pivoting member (9) of the cam and the, or each, complementary depression is on a non-pivoting neighbouring part of the fin box (3).

10. The board (1) according to claim 8, wherein the, or each, depression is located on an edge surface of the pivoting member (9) of the cam and the, or each, complementary projection is located on a non-pivoting neighbouring part of the fin box (3).

11. The board (1) according to claim 3, wherein the member plate (9a) is spring biased towards the locked position.

12. The board (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cam is located at an opposite end of the fin box (3) to where the fin (4) engages in the tongue (14) and groove (6) fit with the fin box (3).