U.S. patent application number 10/126261 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for fin assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to MacNamara Marketing Pty. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Herbert, Stephen G., Morley, Robert J..
Application Number | 20020155769 10/126261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3828470 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020155769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herbert, Stephen G. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2002 |
Fin assembly
Abstract
A fin assembly for a board includes a fixing element adapted to
be embedded into a lower surface of the board and a fin. The fixing
element includes a cavity, at least one projection extending
upwardly in the cavity from the fixing element and towards an
opening of the cavity, and a fixing member received by the fixing
element and engageable with the projection. The fin has a formation
projecting from an end surface of the fin and adapted to be
received within the cavity. The formation includes a free end and
at least one recessed portion located between the free end and the
end surface of the fin. When the fixing formation is received
within the fixing cavity, the fixing member may urge the projection
against the recessed portion to thereby secure the fin to the
board.
Inventors: |
Herbert, Stephen G.;
(Currumbin, AU) ; Morley, Robert J.; (Broadbeach,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLEN, WHITE, ZELANO & BRANIGAN, P.C.
2200 CLARENDON BLVD.
SUITE 1400
ARLINGTON
VA
22201
US
|
Assignee: |
MacNamara Marketing Pty.
Ltd.
9-2431 Gold Coast Highway
Mermaid Beach
AU
4218
|
Family ID: |
3828470 |
Appl. No.: |
10/126261 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
441/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/66 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/79 |
International
Class: |
B63B 001/00; B63B
035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2001 |
AU |
PR4474 |
Claims
1. A fin assembly for a board, the fin assembly including: a fixing
element adapted to be embedded into a lower surface of the board; a
fixing cavity extending into the fixing element; at least one
projection located inside the fixing cavity and extending upwardly
from the fixing element towards an opening of the cavity; a fixing
member received by the fixing element and engageable with the
projection; a fin attachable to the board and having an end surface
which is located adjacent to the lower surface of the board when
the fin is attached to the board; and a fixing formation projecting
from the end surface of the fin, wherein the fixing formation is
adapted to be received within the fixing cavity, and wherein the
fixing formation includes a free end and at least one recessed
portion located between the free end and the end surface of the
fin, whereby, when the fixing formation is received within the
fixing cavity, the fixing member may urge the projection against
the recessed portion to thereby secure the fin to the board.
2. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is in
the form of a curved recess.
3. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion tapers
from the free end towards the end surface of the fin to thereby
provide an inclined abutment surface, whereby, when the fixing
formation is received within the fixing cavity, the fixing member
may urge the projection against the inclined abutment surface to
thereby secure the fin to the board.
4. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the projections are located
adjacent to a sidewall of the cavity such that they may be urged
away from the sidewall by the fixing member.
5. The fin assembly of claim 1 having at least two projections
arranged at spaced locations along the fixing element.
6. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the projections extend
upwardly from a base of the fixing element.
7. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein each projection has an
associated fixing member.
8. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein each fixing member is in
the form of a fastener extending into the fixing element at an
inclined angle relative to the fixing element.
9. The fin assembly of claim 8, wherein each fixing member is
received by an associated inclined passage which extends through
the fixing element such that the fixing members may engage the
projections and urge the projections against the recessed
portions.
10. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein each said recessed portion
of the fixing formation has an associated said projection.
11. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixing formation is
provided with two recessed portions which are separated by a
central portion having parallel side faces.
12. The fin assembly of claim 1, including at least one aperture
extending through the fixing formation.
13. The fin assembly of claim 1, including a peripheral flange
extending from the fixing element.
14. The fin assembly of claim 13, including extensions projecting
outwardly from opposed extremes of the peripheral flange, wherein
the extensions limit the extent to which the fixing element may be
embedded into the board.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a fin assembly. In particular, the
invention relates to a fin assembly for watercraft such as
surfboards.
[0002] The invention will be described by way of example with
reference to surfboards. However, it should be appreciated that
this description is by way of example only and that the fin
assembly of the invention may be used with other watercraft such as
sailing craft, paddle skis, surf skis and the like. For
convenience, such watercraft will hereinafter be collectively
referred to as "boards".
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] Surfboards include a body having a foam core of buoyant
material covered with a skin of fibre-reinforced resin material.
The board includes an upper surface for supporting a rider, a lower
surface and one or more fins secured to and projecting from the
lower surface. Traditionally, the fins have been permanently
mounted to the body of the surfboard by being fibreglassed
thereto.
[0004] A disadvantage of permanently mounting fins onto a surfboard
is that they cannot readily be removed and replaced if, for
example, they are damaged. Further, fins having different
performance characteristics are available and there are advantages
in being able to readily remove and replace the fins on a board so
that the board exhibits different riding characteristics. Also, the
presence of fins on a board renders the board somewhat difficult to
transport and store and it is advantageous to be able to remove the
fins to allow the board to be more readily stored and transported.
This is not possible where fins are permanently mounted to the
lower surface of the board.
[0005] Removable fin assemblies have previously been proposed.
Australian patents 665804 and 707856 disclose inventions relating
to removable fin fixing systems.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a fin
assembly which at least offers a viable alternative to the
removable fin fixing systems of the above-mentioned Australian
patents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a fin assembly for a board, the fin assembly
including:
[0008] a fixing element adapted to be embedded into a lower surface
of the board;
[0009] a fixing cavity extending into the fixing element;
[0010] at least one projection located inside the fixing cavity and
extending upwardly from the fixing element towards an opening of
the cavity;
[0011] a fixing member received by the fixing element and
engageable with the projection;
[0012] a fin attachable to the board and having an end surface
which is located adjacent to the lower surface of the board when
the fin is attached to the board; and
[0013] a fixing formation projecting from the end surface of the
fin, wherein the fixing formation is adapted to be received within
the fixing cavity, and wherein the fixing formation includes a free
end and at least one recessed portion located between the free end
and the end surface of the fin, whereby, when the fixing formation
is received within the fixing cavity, the fixing member may urge
the projection against the recessed portion to thereby secure the
fin to the board.
[0014] In a preferred form, the recessed portion tapers from the
free end towards the end surface of the fin to thereby provide an
inclined abutment surface, whereby, when the fixing formation
engages with the fixing cavity, the fixing member may urge the
projection against the inclined abutment surface to thereby secure
the fin to the board. Alternatively, the recessed portion may be in
the form of a curved recess.
[0015] As mentioned above, the fixing element has at least one
projection located inside the fixing cavity and extending upwardly
from the fixing element towards an opening of the cavity. The
projections are preferably arranged such that they are located
adjacent to a sidewall of the cavity, and such that they may be
urged away from the sidewall by the fixing member. It is preferred
that there are two projections arranged at spaced locations along
the fixing element. The projections may extend upwardly from a base
of the fixing element.
[0016] Where there are a plurality of projections, each of the
projections may have associated with it a respective fixing member.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixing members comprise fasteners
extending into the fixing element at an inclined angle relative to
the fixing element. Each fixing member may be received by an
associated inclined passage which extends through the fixing
element such that the fixing members may engage the projections and
urge the projections against the recessed portions. Clearly, where
the assembly of the invention has a plurality of projections, the
fixing formation is provided with a corresponding number of
recessed portions with each recessed portion having an associated
projection. Where the fixing element is provided with two
projections, it is preferred that the fixing formation is provided
with two recessed portions which are separated by a central portion
having parallel side faces. Apertures may be provided extending
through the central portion of the fixing formation. A peripheral
flange may extend from the fixing element and extensions may
project outwardly from opposed extremes of the peripheral flange,
wherein the extensions are adapted to control the amount by which
the fixing element is embedded into the board.
[0017] In order that the invention may be more fully understood and
put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixing element according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing element
illustrated in FIG. 1 and of a fin securable to the fixing
element;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixing
element illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixing
element which illustrates the position and state it assumes when
initially mounted relative to a board to which it is to be
secured;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixing
element like that illustrated in FIG. 4 but shown in its final
state when secured to the board;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a fixing formation which
extends outwardly from an end surface of the fin; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fin and a
portion of a board to which a fixing element has been secured.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a fixing element 10. The fixing element 10 in
this embodiment consists of three lobes 11, 12 and 13 that each
have a substantially cylindrical appearance. At an upper end of
these lobes a peripheral flange 14 extends around and beyond the
upper surface 19 of the lobes 11, 12 and 13. Extensions 15, 16
project outwardly from opposed extremes of the peripheral flange
14. A lower face 17, 18 of the extensions 15, 16 are each at a
location which is coincident with the surface 19 from which the
flange 14 extends.
[0026] A fixing cavity 20 extends into the fixing element 10. The
fixing cavity 20 is adapted to receive a fixing formation which is
described below. In the regions of the lobes 11 and 13, upwardly
extending projections 21 and 22 are visible in the fixing cavity
20. Inclined passages 23 and 24 extend through the lobes 11 and 13
towards the projections 21 and 22. Ramped lead-in portions 25 and
26 are provided in the flange 14 at a location adjacent the
inclined passages 23 and 24.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fixing element 10 and a
portion of a fin 30. The fin 30 has a fin body 31 with an end
surface 32 and a fixing formation 33 extending outwardly from the
end surface 32. The formation 33 has a central portion 34 between
locations 35 and 36 which consists of front and rear faces which
are parallel to one another. Opposed end portions 37 and 38 of the
fixing formation 33 are tapered such that the thickness of these
end portions is greater at an outer extremity 39 than at an inner
extremity 40. In this way, portions 37, 38 effectively provide
recesses.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fixing
element 10 taken across the element 10 at the location of the
ramped lead-in portion 25. In this view a base portion 45 is shown
from which projection 21 extends upwardly and adjacent to a
sidewall of the fixing cavity 20. Inclined passage 23 is visible in
this view. The passage 23 is adapted to receive a fixing member in
the form of a fastener 46. When the fastener 46 is driven into the
passage 23 it may contact the projection 21 and urge that
projection away from the sidewall of the fixing cavity 20.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a view not unlike that shown in FIG. 3.
However, in FIG. 4 the fixing element 10 is shown received within a
recess 47 provided in a board 48. The board 48 is made from a core
of foam material 49 which has an outer skin 50. The fixing element
10 is secured within the recess 47 by a suitable material such as a
resin 51. The presence of resin 51 ensures that the fixing element
10 is effectively permanently secured to the board 48. The
oppositely directed extensions 15 and 16 (not visible in this view)
control the depth to which the fixing element 10 is received within
the recess 47. Once the resin 51 has set, the flange 14 is removed
from the fixing element 10 so that the surface 19 of the fixing
element 10 is flush with the outer surface of the skin 50 as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0030] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the fixing formation 33. The
central portion 34 delineated by locations 35 and 36 is clearly
visible in this view. The opposed tapered end portions 37, 38 are
located on either side of the central portion 34 and are thicker in
the region of extremity 39 than extremity 40 where the fixing
formation 33 connects to the body 31 of the fin 30. Apertures 52
and 53 extend through the fixing formation 33.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the stem of a board 48 with the fixing element
10 embedded and secured within the board 48 and with the flange 14
(shown in FIG. 1) removed therefrom. The fixing element 10 has its
surface 19 flush with the outer skin 50 of the board 48.
Projections 21 and 22 described previously are visible in this
view. The outer ends of passages 23 and 24 are also shown.
[0032] The fin 30 with fixing formation 33 projecting outwardly
from end surface 32 is also visible and the fixing formation 33 is
shown in the position it would assume immediately prior to its
insertion into the cavity 20.
[0033] When the fixing formation 33 is inserted into the cavity 20,
the end surface 32 abuts the outer skin 50 of the board 48. The
fasteners 46 (see FIG. 3) located within the inclined passages 23,
24 (see FIG. 7) are then driven through the passages 23, 24 until
the upstanding projections 21, 22 are directed against the tapered
portions 37, 38 to thereby wedge the fixing formation 33 securely
within the cavity 20 so that the fin 30 is securely mounted
relative to the board 48. If necessary, the fin 30 may readily be
removed from the board 48 simply by retracting the fasteners 46 to
allow the projections 21, 22 to move away from the tapered end
portions 37, 38 of the fixing formation 33. Once the projections
21, 22 are no longer wedged against the tapered end portions 37,
38, the fin 30 may then be separated from the board 48.
[0034] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present
invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art,
can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, the projections 21, 22 may be located on
opposite sides of the fixing cavity 20 so that they are able to
press against the fixing formation 33 in opposite directions.
Further, the fixing element 10 may have only one projection 21 or
22. Also, instead of end portions 37 and 38 being tapered, they
could each be in the form of a curved recess.
* * * * *