Removable Surfboard Fin Mount With Tool-Free Cam Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fitting or replacing fins on water sports boards can be problematic due to the need for significant force or tools, and fins may detach during use, necessitating a more user-friendly and tool-free installation method.
Innovation Solution
A cam mechanism with a pivoting member is used to lock and unlock fins in a fin box, utilizing a tongue and groove fit and interference fit to secure the fin, allowing easy installation and removal without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fins are secured using conventional methods (significant force or tools), then the fin attachment is secure, but the installation process becomes complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fin base is designed with integrated cam mechanisms that allow the fin to lock itself into the fin box through a simple pressing motion. The cam lobes automatically engage with the fin box walls when the fin base is inserted, eliminating the need for external tools or complex assembly steps while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms act as intermediary elements between the fin base and the fin box. These cams translate the simple vertical pressing motion into a locking action where the cam lobes engage with the fin box walls, providing secure attachment without requiring the user to apply significant force or use tools directly.
2Ease of operation
If fins are easily removable without tools, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fin attachment during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fin base incorporates cam release mechanisms that allow the fin to unlock and remove itself with a simple pressing or twisting motion. The same cam structures that provide secure locking during use also enable easy release when activated by the user, eliminating the need for tools while maintaining attachment reliability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms transition between locked and unlocked states dynamically. During normal use, the cams are in a locked position where their lobes engage with the fin box walls. When the user applies a specific release motion, the cams rotate or shift to an unlocked position, allowing the fin to be removed easily. This dynamic behavior enables both secure attachment and easy removal.
3Ease of operation
If the fin box structure is simplified for easy fin installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity may increase to ensure secure locking
Solution Approach 1:
The fin base is segmented into multiple functional components: a main body that interfaces with the fin box, integrated cam mechanisms for locking, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, providing easy installation through simple pressing while maintaining secure locking through the distributed cam structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam locking mechanisms are merged directly into the fin base structure rather than being separate components. The cam lobes are integrated into the fin base walls, and the release mechanism is combined with the insertion motion. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the secure locking function and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mount for removably installing a fin to a board used in water sports such as a surf board, wake board, windsurfing board and stand-up paddle board is provided. Previous methods for installing a fin on a board usually required carrying a screwdriver to undo a grub screw to disengage the fin. The mount is secured within the deck of the board and has a pivoting member pivoting between a locking position, to lock a fin to the board, to an unlocked position were the fin can be removed from the board, under hand pressure. As shown in drawing the pivoting member (9) pivots about a pivot pin. In the unlocking position lug (12) can be disengaged from its complementary recess (such as a notch) (8) in the front end of the base of fin (4) and the fin (4) can be removed from the mount. In the locking operation the fin (4) is fitted into chanel (11) and the pivoting member (9) pivoted by hand pressure on a plate (9a) to cause lug (12) to engage with notch (8).