U.S. patent application number 15/429823 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for rotatable and stowable foil system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is WELLOSOPHY 360, CORP. Invention is credited to Richard C. Davis, Lior Sher.
Application Number | 20170233044 15/429823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59560570 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170233044 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Richard C. ; et
al. |
August 17, 2017 |
ROTATABLE AND STOWABLE FOIL SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A foil assembly for a watercraft includes a base assembly, a fin
rotatably connected to the base assembly such that the fin can
rotate longitudinally, and a slider attachment configured to
connect to a fin box of a watercraft wherein the base assembly is
configured to be removably disposed within the slider attachment
such that the base assembly and the fin can be removed and rotated
laterally to a folded position and still be retained by the slider
attachment to the fin box.
Inventors: |
Davis; Richard C.;
(Clearwater, FL) ; Sher; Lior; (Clearwater,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WELLOSOPHY 360, CORP |
Clearwater |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59560570 |
Appl. No.: |
15/429823 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62294075 |
Feb 11, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/343 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 2041/003 20130101;
B63B 41/00 20130101; B63B 39/06 20130101; B63B 17/00 20130101; B63B
32/66 20200201 |
International
Class: |
B63B 39/06 20060101
B63B039/06; B63B 35/79 20060101 B63B035/79; B63B 17/00 20060101
B63B017/00; B63B 41/00 20060101 B63B041/00 |
Claims
1. A foil assembly for a watercraft, comprising: a base assembly; a
fin rotatably connected to the base assembly such that the fin can
rotate longitudinally; and a slider attachment configured to
connect to a fin box of a watercraft wherein the base assembly is
configured to be removably disposed within the slider attachment
such that the base assembly and the fin can be removed and rotated
laterally to a folded position and still be retained by the slider
attachment to the fin box.
2. The foil assembly of claim 1, further comprising the fin
box.
3. The foil assembly of claim 1, wherein the slider attachment is
connected to the base assembly via one or more elastic bands
allowing retention of the base assembly and fin to the watercraft
when in the folded position.
4. The foil assembly of claim 1, wherein the fin includes a lower
fin body that defines a hollow slot for receiving a rotation plate
of the base assembly.
5. The foil assembly of claim 4, wherein the base assembly includes
a base plate and an overmold.
6. The foil assembly of claim 5, wherein the overmold defines the
limits of longitudinal rotation of the fin.
7. The foil assembly of claim 4, wherein the rotation plate
includes a friction disk.
8. The foil assembly of claim 4, wherein the base assembly includes
in insertion plate for inserting the base assembly into the
slider.
9. The foil assembly of claim 1, wherein the fin includes a
magnetic device in a tip of the fin for retaining the fin in the
folded position against the watercraft.
10. The foil assembly of claim 1, wherein the fin is configured to
rotate 150 degrees in the longitudinal direction.
11. A watercraft, comprising: a hull; and a foil assembly disposed
on the hull, comprising: a fin box; a base assembly; a fin
rotatably connected to the base assembly such that the fin can
rotate longitudinally; and a slider attachment connected to the fin
box of a watercraft wherein the base assembly is configured to be
removably disposed within the slider attachment such that the base
assembly and the fin can be removed and rotated laterally to a
folded position and still be retained by the slider attachment to
the fin box.
12. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the slider attachment is
connected to the base assembly via one or more elastic bands
allowing retention of the base assembly and fin to the watercraft
when in the folded position.
13. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the fin includes a lower
fin body that defines a hollow slot for receiving a rotation plate
of the base assembly.
14. The watercraft of claim 13, wherein the base assembly includes
a base plate and an overmold.
15. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein the overmold defines the
limits of longitudinal rotation of the fin.
16. The watercraft of claim 13, wherein the rotation plate includes
a friction disk.
17. The watercraft of claim 13, wherein the base assembly includes
in insertion plate for inserting the base assembly into the
slider.
18. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the fin includes a magnetic
device in a tip of the fin for retaining the fin in the folded
position against the watercraft.
19. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the fin is configured to
rotate 150 degrees in the longitudinal direction.
20. The watercraft of claim 10, further comprising a suction cup
disposed on the hull for retaining the fin in the folded position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a U.S. Nonprovisional Application that
claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/294,075, filed Feb. 11, 2016, titled, "A
ROTATABLE AND STOWABLE FOIL SYSTEM AND METHOD", which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to watercraft, more
specifically to foils (e.g., fins) for watercraft.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Watercraft are a group of ubiquitous surface and subsurface
vehicles that have been used throughout the world for thousands of
years. Among many classification systems, one way to categorize
watercraft is by differentiating them by their propulsive means.
Watercraft can be configured to be propelled by wind, waves, oars,
paddles, engines, and other means. Irrespective of the propulsive
means, nearly all watercraft share a common feature for maintaining
their directional orientation, turning capability and providing
maneuvering stability. These elements are typically configured as
foils, many of which describe a subset of such foils that are
classified in the common vernacular as "fins."
[0006] Fins found to be useful in watercraft are typically
vertically oriented elements that provide directional, orientating,
maneuvering and stabilizing means to the watercraft. In surface-
riding watercraft, such fins are typically mounted on the ventral
(wetted undersurface) of the watercraft's hull, body, or fuselage
as the case may be. These fins can be mounted vertically, e.g., in
the midline along the central longitudinal axis, or in off-axis
positions depending upon their intended function. Furthermore, such
fins can be mounted perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the
watercraft's hull, or at various angles to the hull; again,
depending upon their intended function. Furthermore, fins are
typically shaped to have low water-impingement profiles to reduce
the hydrodynamic and viscous drag forces impacting the fin as it
moves through the water. Such fins can be made with or without a
cambered axis depending upon whether lift is required.
[0007] Current fins are almost uniformly comprised of single-piece,
rigid-body designs that are not movable. The fins of these standard
designs encounter difficulties when: a) they suddenly impact
subsurface obstacles as described herein causing damage to the fin,
fin box, and or watercraft hull, as well as causing potential
injury to the user, and b) without completely removing the fin from
the fin box, make it difficult to stack, transport and/or store,
the watercraft, especially when another watercraft are desirably
stacked vertically on top of the watercraft.
[0008] Such conventional methods and systems have generally been
considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there
is still a need in the art for improved foils. The present
disclosure provides a solution for this need.
SUMMARY
[0009] A foil assembly for a watercraft includes a base assembly, a
fin rotatably connected to the base assembly such that the fin can
rotate longitudinally, and a slider attachment configured to
connect to a fin box of a watercraft wherein the base assembly is
configured to be removably disposed within the slider attachment
such that the base assembly and the fin can be removed and rotated
laterally to a folded position and still be retained by the slider
attachment to the fin box.
[0010] The slider attachment can be connected to the base assembly
via one or more elastic bands allowing retention of the base
assembly and fin to the watercraft when in the folded position. The
fin can include a lower fin body that defines a hollow slot for
receiving a rotation plate of the base assembly.
[0011] The base assembly can include a base plate and an overmold.
The overmold can define the limits of longitudinal rotation of the
fin. The rotation plate can include a friction disk.
[0012] The base assembly can include in insertion plate for
inserting the base assembly into the slider. The fin can include a
magnetic device in a tip of the fin for retaining the fin in the
folded position against the watercraft. The fin can be configured
to rotate 150 degrees in the longitudinal direction.
[0013] A watercraft can include a hull, and a foil assembly as
described above including a fin box disposed on the hull. In
certain embodiments, a suction cup can be disposed on the hull for
retaining the fin in the folded position.
[0014] These and other features of the systems and methods of the
subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject
disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use
the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue
experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail
herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a transparent side elevation of an embodiment of a
foil system in accordance with this disclosure, shown in an
extended position.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevations of the embodiment of FIG.
1 and illustrate a motion between an extended position and a
retracted position;
[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 are front elevations of the embodiment of FIG.
1 and illustrate a motion between an extended position and a
retracted position;
[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 are front elevations of the embodiment of FIG.
1 and illustrate a motion between an extended position and a folded
position;
[0021] FIG. 9 is an expanded transparent elevation view of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
showing the foil as transparent;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a transparent rear elevation view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view and a zoomed view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating a rotation gap;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.
1, shown in an extended position and shown removed from the fin
box;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.
1, shown in a retracted position and shown placed in the fin
box;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a foil
and body assembly in accordance with this disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion
of a foil in accordance with this disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the
embodiment of FIG. 18;
[0032] FIG. 20 is a side elevation, a top plan view and a front
elevation view of an embodiment of a foil in accordance with this
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 21 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a fin base
assembly in accordance with this disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 22 is perspective view of a portion of the embodiment
of FIG. 21;
[0035] FIG. 23 is a zoomed view of a portion of the embodiment of
FIG. 21;
[0036] FIG. 24 is a transparent end view the embodiment of FIG.
21;
[0037] FIG. 25 is a transparent perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 21;
[0038] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of a foil and body assembly
in accordance with this disclosure, indication locations for a
decal;
[0039] FIG. 27 is an elevation view of a fin base assembly shown
having an overmolded plate (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer);
[0040] FIG. 28 is an outline view of an embodiment of an assembly
indicating where a lower fin body located over a rotation plate is
frictionally moveable against a fin arc channel, for example;
[0041] FIG. 29 is a transparent perspective view of an embodiment
of an overmolded plate in a fin base in accordance with this
disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment
of a fin base and slide attachment assembly in accordance with this
disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 31 is a transparent bottom plan view of a portion of
the embodiment of FIG. 30;
[0044] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slide
attachment in accordance with this disclosure;
[0045] FIG. 33 is an elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.
32;
[0046] FIG. 34 is an elevation view of a portion of an embodiment
of an assembly in accordance with this disclosure showing the slide
attachment assembly attached to the fin base;
[0047] FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
32;
[0048] FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 32,
shown attached to the fin base;
[0049] FIG. 37 is a transparent end view of the embodiment of FIG.
32;
[0050] FIG. 38 is a transparent end view of the embodiment of FIG.
32, shown having the fin base connected thereto;
[0051] FIG. 39 is various view of embodiments of a fin box disposed
in a watercraft hull;
[0052] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fin box
in accordance with this disclosure;
[0053] FIG. 41 is a transparent perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 40;
[0054] FIG. 42 is a zoomed perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 40;
[0055] FIG. 43 is a zoomed transparent perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 40;
[0056] FIG. 44 is a transparent elevation view of the embodiment of
FIG. 40;
[0057] FIG. 45 is a transparent end view of the embodiment of FIG.
40 receiving an embodiment of a fin assembly;
[0058] FIG. 46 is an end view of an embodiment of a system in a
folded position, e.g., a lay-flat stowed positon;
[0059] FIG. 47 is top down view of the embodiment of FIG. 46,
indicating the location of a suction cup for example; and
[0060] FIG. 48 is a top down view of the embodiment of FIG. 46,
indicating the location of a rubber snap or magnet (e.g., at a fin
tip as shown) for example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects
of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an
embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosure is shown
in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100.
Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in
FIGS. 2-48.
[0062] As appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art,
the term "foil(s)" will be used interchangeably with the term
"fin(s)." Traditional foils (e.g., fins) incapable of rotating to
change their profile, or folding flat to better accommodate
transportation and/or storage. Embodiments of this disclosure can
address both of these fundamental, integrally problematic design
features found in all single-piece, rigid-body fins by: a) using a
multi-component fin assembly design that can both be manually
rotated and/or or auto-rotated to a lower vertical profile, and b)
can be manually repositioned to fold horizontally flat against the
undersurface of the watercraft to facilitate its transportation
and/or storage.
[0063] Embodiments of this disclosure include a multi-component,
vertically-oriented, rotatable, stowable, infinitely-positionable
foil system and method. Embodiments can be used for watercraft,
e.g., as an improved orientation and stabilization system and its
methods of assembly and use for watercraft. Any other suitable use
is contemplated herein. Certain embodiments include four components
including a positionable (e.g., rotatable, stowable) foil member, a
removably insertable foil member mounting base, a retaining means,
and a selectively slidable attachment means. These components, when
assembled, can be designed to be universally and removably
affixable to all standard center-fin type fin boxes designed for
hard body as well as inflatable watercraft.
[0064] Embodiments of this disclosure most broadly relate to
watercraft foils which can be most specifically and more popularly
known as "fins." While this disclosure will primarily disclose
elements related to fins for use in surface-riding watercraft such
as surfboards and stand-up paddle boards, otherwise known as SUP's,
those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability
of embodiments of this disclosure for use in other surface-riding
watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, wake boards, kite boards,
windsurfers, water skis, jet skis, sailboats, power boats, as well
as subsurface watercraft like submarines, and all other watercraft
that use one or more "fins" as a means of directional orientation,
maneuverability, and/or stabilization for example. Furthermore, in
addition to its preferred embodiment as such is applied broadly to
fins and their use, the design elements of embodiments of this
disclosure can be additionally used, modified and/or applied to
other common water-impinging, directionally orientating and
stabilizing elements used in watercraft such as keels, rudders,
centerboards, dagger-boards and any number of other foils that have
been found to be useful in providing directional orientation,
maneuvering, and/or stabilization for such watercraft.
[0065] Nearly all watercraft fins in commonplace usage today can be
characterized by single-piece, rigid-body foil designs which can be
problematic for a number of reasons. Embodiments of this disclosure
can overcome the design defects inherent in these single-piece
rigid-body fins by introducing an improved design comprised of a
series of elements incorporated into a multi-component watercraft
orientation, maneuvering, and stabilization system, as well as the
methods of its assembly and use. The four principal design features
of embodiments of this disclosure system and method are disclosed
herein to provide an inexpensive and practical means for the
watercraft user to utilize a number of highly advantageous
capabilities not previously disclosed in prior art.
[0066] Embodiments include a positionable, rotatable, and stowable
foil member ("fin") which can be selectively, semi-permanently,
easily and manually rotated through an infinite number of positions
beginning from an essentially upright, most vertical, position
rotating through approximately 90 degrees (or any other suitable
angle) of caudal (rearward) rotation to its essentially most
horizontal position. This rotating foil capability can provide the
watercraft user with the ability to easily and rapidly preselect,
without the necessity of using tools, the most desirable water
impingement profile for the foil. Such infinite positions can range
from a maximal (upright or extended) profile position, to a minimal
(horizontal or retracted) profile position, thus having the ability
to at once impart differing lift, drag, torque, tracking,
stabilizing, turning, orienting, and other hydrodynamic
characteristics to the foil and thus to the connected watercraft
itself for use in various water, wind, current, wave, speed, depth,
bottom configurations, and other anticipatable conditions likely to
be encountered by the watercraft at the time of its then current
configuration and use. This extremely flexible and adaptable
intrinsic first design element allows the watercraft user to modify
the foil's profile, at will, almost instantly, without the use of
tools or the need to change, remove, or replace the watercraft's
fin(s) in order to adapt to changing aquatic environments or other
watercraft purposes as such may be deemed desirable and/or
necessary.
[0067] For example, and not intended to be limiting, a SUP user may
wish to participate in a deep, open-water racing environment where
a more maximal, fully vertical fin profile may be preferred for
ease of turning and maximal directional stability when using a
"racing stroke," as opposed to a low impingement fin profile which
can be more desirable for shallow water applications like beach
surfing or whitewater river paddling; where a maximally vertically
oriented fin would be far more likely to "run aground" or
undesirably impact subsurface objects during such uses, which can
cause damage to the fin, the connected fin box, or connected the
watercraft; not to mention the possibility of causing injury to the
watercraft user themselves.
[0068] Embodiments of this disclosure can be capable of being
rotatably positionable to accommodate an infinite number of
vertical profiles from the fin's most fully vertical to its most
fully horizontal profile, without requiring the user to go to the
added time, trouble and expense of having to purchase and install
different fins to adapt to this variety of uses and aquatic
environments, which can be expensive and impractical. Additionally,
this rotatably positionable feature provides the ability for the
fin to automatically rotate from its fully upright vertical
position to its lower-profile fully horizontal position in those
situations whereupon the fin inadvertently and/or undesirably
impacts upon an unseen or unavoidable object located below the
water surface (rock, sand, bottom, coral head, seaweed, kelp,
flotsam, etc.) while the watercraft is moving through the water.
This rotatably positionable feature reduces the likelihood that the
foil, the fin box, or the watercraft itself would sustain impact
damage; or that the watercraft's user will suffer injury subsequent
to such impacts as can commonly be the case with all current
single-piece, rigid-body, watercraft fin designs.
[0069] Lastly, an additional benefit of a rotatably positionable
foil member provides the user with the ability to navigate through
bodies of water with varying depths, especially shallow depths, as
such can be commonly encountered in beach surfing, river
environments and others that can be currently considered
unnavigable by those many watercraft fitted with single-piece,
rigid-body fins. For example, watercraft users will frequently
desire to traverse through waters, without the need to dismount,
with bottom features of increasingly shallower depths such as
shorelines, sand bars, shoals, reefs, river beds, oyster beds, and
other bottom depths and subsurface features that are universally
considered to be impassable obstacles to mounted users of
watercraft outfitted with traditional single-piece, rigid-body
fins. Embodiments of this disclosure obviate such restrictions by
enabling the user to quickly and easily, without the use of tools,
preposition the rotatable foil means by rotating it into a lower
profile, more horizontal position (shallower draft), thus
facilitating transit over these shallower aquatic terrains, or by
simply moving carefully over the shallower depths allowing the fin
to "kick up" on its own automatically, to avoid impacting such
bottom features. In either case, the once impassable transit can be
now navigable without dismounting.
[0070] The rotatably positionable feature of embodiments of this
disclosure will afford the watercraft user with an auto-rotating
capability whereby, upon the occurrence of the foil's leading edge
impacting with a bottom feature (sand, rock, sea bed, river bed,
etc.) in a shallower depth, the impact will cause the foil to
auto-rotate caudally (i.e., "kick up") to conform to a lower
profile (shallower) position to accommodate the decreased depth
without introducing a significant potential to impart damage to the
foil, the connected fin box, the connected watercraft or the
watercraft user, as the case may be.
[0071] Those skilled in the art will recognize the benefits of this
auto-rotatable "kick-up" feature as being optimally provided
through an element of the embodiment that can be commonly termed a
"friction fit," or otherwise known as an "interference fit"
allowing for an infinite number of rotatably positionable
configuration profiles to be at once available for the fin as it
moves through its arc of rotation. Alternatively, embodiments of
this disclosure could be configured with rotation stops that allow
for predetermined and proscribed incremental rotational movements
of the fin, as such may be desirable by a user under other fin
configurations.
[0072] Embodiments of this disclosure can include a removably
insertable foil mounting base means that can be integrated into the
whole of the embodiments but maintained as a separate component
thereof. This feature can allow the user to easily and rapidly, and
without the use of tools, to remove the foil system from its
vertically mounted position on the watercraft. More specifically,
and in combination with the other design features disclosed herein,
and not intending to be limiting, this selectively removable design
feature allows for the user to extract the foil system as it is
vertically lifted out of the slidable attachment means, another
component disclosed herein, then oriented to lay horizontally flat
against or paralleling the undersurface of the watercraft to
minimize its vertical profile entirely, while at once remaining
semi permanently, yet removably connected to the watercraft, thus
allowing for rapid, easy stowage and safer transport of the
watercraft, without the use of tools, especially in those
situations where it is desirable for multiple watercraft to be
vertically stacked one on top of the other, as such is commonly
done, especially on the roof racks of users' cars where multiple
surfboards, SUP's, kayaks, etc. are to be co-located.
[0073] This "lay-flat" capability can reduce the probability of
damage occurring to the foil, the connected fin box or the
connected watercraft itself, as well as any potential damage to any
other watercraft, or other objects which the user would desire to
be stacked on top of the watercraft. Additionally, this lay-flat
means provides the user with the ability to easily, readily and
quickly store the watercraft, without the use of tools, and without
having to completely remove the fin from the connected fin box, as
is typically the case with current single-piece, rigid-body fin
designs.
[0074] Additionally, the "lay-flat" means of embodiments of this
disclosure can afford the ability to manufacture watercraft covers
without fin-adapting slits, thereby enabling the fashioning of
covers that fully seal and protect the watercraft, preventing
intrusion by water, weather, insects, or other undesirable aspects
of current cover designs.
[0075] Embodiments of this disclosure can also include an integral
retaining means that removably holds the rotatable foil member in
place while at the same time allows the user to reposition the foil
member into the "lay-flat" position without having to disconnect it
entirely from the watercraft itself, and doing so without the use
of tools. This design feature can be optimally achieved in
embodiments of this disclosure through an embodiment that
incorporates one or more elastomeric retaining means, e.g., rubber
bands, that is/are accommodated with molded-in nesting notches and
access slots configured into the removable foil base and the
slidable attachment means as further described and disclosed
herein. Elastomeric attachment means can be configured as two
members, one located in the forward section of the assembly, and
one located in the rear section of the assembly. These elastomeric
members can be made from resilient, stretchable materials such as
natural rubber, latex rubber, Santoprene.RTM., neoprene rubber,
silicone rubber, or other any other suitable elastomeric,
stretchable materials that do not appreciably degrade and can be
otherwise fully compatible with the aquatic environments and the
weathering elements, as such are frequently encountered by the
watercraft of embodiments of this disclosure.
[0076] These elastomeric retaining members can be configured to
impart a nominal yet continuous connecting force between the
removable fin base relative to the sliding attachment member
without `taking a set,` while at once being expandable (stretched)
with a vertical force as such may be applied by the user to lift
the removable fin base assembly member up and out of the
removably-connected, selectively-slidable attachment means, thus
simultaneously retaining the fin's "lay-flat" capability without
having to disconnect the fin/fin base assembly from the watercraft,
and having the ability to adjust this configuration within seconds
without the use of tools. This feature can allow the user to easily
and quickly reconfigure the watercraft for transport and or
storage.
[0077] With reference generally to FIGS. 1-48, embodiments of this
disclosure can include a universally-fitting, selectively slidable
attachment means which firmly and fixedly, yet non-permanently
connects the Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 to the watercraft's Fin Box
184 which can be permanently and integrally affixed to, and can be
flush-mounted with, the ventral surface (undersurface) of all
current SUP, surfboard and other surface-riding watercraft designs,
including the slightly protruding, adhesively-affixed fin boxes of
most inflatable SUP's and other such watercraft as well.
[0078] Fin Boxes 184 is/are used on many if not all SUP and
surfboard design on the market today. Typically, Fin Boxes 184 can
be manufactured in standard widths, and depths, and configured in a
number of standard-length center channels longitudinally ranging
from approximately 8 to 12 inches in selectively slidable lengths.
Typical standard single-piece rigid fins can incorporate a
horizontally oriented fixation pin (the Horizontal Pin 172),
perpendicular to the sliding axis, along with an attaching
screw/nut means (Attachment Screw 174) designed to firmly, yet
non-permanently attach the single-piece, rigid-body fin to the
watercraft's fin box, which can be integral with and thus fixedly
attached to the watercraft itself. The pin and screw/nut means can
be variously configured in the front and the rear in the fin, with
some fin designs positioning the integral horizontal fixation pin
forward and screw/nut means rearward, and with other designs being
the opposite orientation, with each design claiming to have
superior characteristics over the other.
[0079] The universally standardized fin boxes can be configured
with paired, parallel, mid-positioned, horizontally-oriented,
Molded-in channels that run longitudinally down both sides of the
fin box which can be designed to accommodate both the fin's
horizontal fixation pin as well as the screw/nut fixation means.
These universally standardized fin boxes can be additionally
configured with a horizontally oriented insertion slot positioned
in the middle of the fin box, which can be oriented vertically to
the depth of the side channels and communicates at once with the
side channels, providing access thereto for the fin's horizontal
fixation pin and the screw/nut fixation means. Embodiments of this
disclosure's Tapered Slidable Attachment means component can be
designed to attach universally to these standardized fin boxes
using the same horizontal fixation pin and screw/nut configuration
used by traditional single-piece, rigid fins, thus being adaptable
to most, if not all, of the current standardized fin box designs on
the market.
[0080] Embodiments of this disclosure can incorporate the
Attachment Screw 174/Attachment Nut 176 located in the front
section of the Rotatable Fin Assembly 100, and locates the
Horizontal Pin 172 in the rear. Alternative embodiments can be
envisioned that could reverse these positions without significantly
affecting the overall performance of embodiments of this
disclosure. The Attachment Screw 174 can be configured as a
tool-free, thumb-screw design.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 1-48, with specific reference to FIGS.
1-15, embodiments of this disclosure can be defined by a Rotatable
Fin Assembly 100, which can be comprised of a Fin Tip 190 at its
most vertical end, a Leading Edge 116 and a Trailing Edge 118 which
define the forward-most and rear-most extents of the Fin Body 102
respectively. The Fin Body 102 can be made from wood, metal,
laminates, thermoplastic elastomers, plastics, composites like
carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, or other any other suitable
moldable or machinable material. The Fin Body 102 material can be
made of differing colors, designs, patterns, and textures designed
to suit the decorative needs of the user, or can be subject to
shrink wrap appliques and other decorative means.
[0082] The Fin Body 102 can be further divided into the Upper Fin
Body 104, the Lower Fin Body 106 and the Fin Arc 108 located at the
lower-most extent of the Lower Fin Body 106. In certain
embodiments, one section of the Upper Fin Body 104 expands in a
rearward protrusion to form an integral Power Bulge Section 120,
designed to provide additional surface area to the Fin Body 102,
thus adding more fulcrum moment force against the water for
improved directional and turning capabilities.
[0083] Referring additionally to FIG. 16-21, the Lower Fin Body 106
can be substantially hollow, defined by a central cavity or
Rotation Plate Channel 192, which extends from its entrance at the
lower edge of the Fin Arc 108 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9),
substantially excavating the entire central core of the interior of
the Lower Fin Body 106 in the approximate form of a circular recess
designed to accommodate the circular superior edge of the Rotation
Plate 132 of the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130. The rotating
edge of the Fin Arc 108 can define a convex surface that can be
bisected by the Rotation Plate Channel 192, which apex can track
inside the Fin Arc Guide Channel 110 and can be configured to slide
freely or alternatively slide with a frictional interface as it
rotates over the Fin Arc Channel Interface 112 at an Interference
Fit 114 segment of the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130. This can
subscribe approximately 90 to 180 degrees of arc, and in certain
embodiments to approximately 150 degrees of arc. The Fin Base
Assembly 130 can be a two-component element, for example. Referring
to
[0084] FIGS. 21-31, in certain embodiments, the first component can
be comprised of a very strong, rigid, central core plate-like
material that can be impervious to the elements like galvanized
steel, or stainless steel such as 18-gauge Type 304 stainless steel
plate. Alternative materials like carbon fiber, nanotube materials,
or reinforced polymeric thermoplastic material, and/or other
suitable moldable or machinable materials can be readily envisioned
for use in this component in other embodiments, which could
variously then provide for the constructed of the entire assembly
as a single piece design.
[0085] The plate of this Fin Base Assembly 130 can form the core
element onto and over which the over-molded material can be
permanently and integrally bonded. The plate can be fashionable by
machining, molding, stamping or other shaping means, and can be
variously perforated with through-holes to provide connecting
channels to enhance the bonding of the over-molded material. The
over-molded material can be comprised of a firm, durable, UV and
salt water resistant thermoplastic elastomeric material which can
be over-molded by onto the Rotation Plate 132 including the
Friction Disk 198. In addition to rigid materials of common fin
designs used in freely-rotating designs, examples of over-molded
materials for friction fit designs could include unsaturated and
saturated rubber materials, e.g., Natural Rubber; EPM, EPDM,
Santoprene, Silicone Rubber, and many others comprising durometers
between Shore 40 A to Shore 70 A material, for example, Shore 60 A
Industrial Grade Silicone Rubber using a liquid silicone injection
technology. The over-molded material can be made of differing
colors, designs, patterns, and textures designed to suit the
decorative needs of the user.
[0086] The Over-Molded Fin Base Plate 136 can be comprised of three
regions. The upper-most region being the Rotation Plate 132, the
central region being the Over-Molded Fin Base Plate 136, and the
lower region being the Insertion Plate 134. The Rotation Plate 132
can be connected to the Lower Fin Body's 106 center of rotation by
a Rotation Fastener Hardware 198 that approximates through the
Rotation Fastener Hole 194 which aligns with a perforating hole in
the Rotation Plate Channel 192 that centrally bisects the thin
hollow core of the Lower Fin Body 106. The Over-Molded Fin Base
Plate 136 can be perforated with numerous strategically and
variously-placed through-holes whose size, shape, and location
would be well known by those skilled in the thermoplastic
over-molding arts. Extending inferiorly and below the lower limit
of the elastomeric over-molded section emerges that region of the
plate designated as the Insertion Plate 134, which can be
substantially rectangular with radii at the insertion edges
designed to tightly fit, size on size, into the Insertion Plate
Slot 182 of the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170.
[0087] Embodiments of the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly can also at
once define both a Vertical Rotation Stop 138 located at the
upper-most extend of the assembly's Leading Edge 116, and a
Horizontal Rotation Stop 140, located at the upper-most extend of
the assembly's Trailing Edge 118. Additionally, a Rotation
Clearance Notch 164 can be indentedly positioned at the lower
section of the Rotation Plate 132 to allow for the full, unimpeded
horizontal (caudal) rotation of the Fin Body 102 until it impinges
upon the Horizontal Rotation Stop 140, such that the trailing edge
or the Power Bulge 120, as the case may be, stops just above the
Ventral Watercraft Hull Surface 128 with a non-impacting safety
margin designated the Rotation Gap 142. In certain embodiments, the
Rotation Gap 142 can measure between about 2 mm to about 20 mm,
such as 5 mm to prevent the Power Bulge 120 of the Fin Body 102
from impacting the hull surface of the watercraft on full
horizontal rotation of the Fin Body 102, which could damage the
hull, the Fin Assembly 100, or both.
[0088] The Over-Molded material, e.g., an elastomer, can provides a
cushioning, soft-stop effect, which prevents damage to the Trailing
Edge 118 of the Lower Fin Body 106 upon encountering the Horizontal
Rotation Stop 140 as it can be rotated to the full horizontal
extent of the assembly's rotational capability.
[0089] The Rotatable Fin Assembly 100, consisting of the Fin Body
102 and the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130 can be connected by a
Rotation Fastener Hardware such as, a screw, a taper pin, a bolt,
or a riveting means, or any other suitable fastener, e.g., a Type
304 Black, Stainless Steel, Dual Flat Head Flush-Mounting Aviation
Rivet such as provided by Aviation Products Systems designated
APS105-00200 FAA-PMA Rivet. Such rivets can be irreversibly engaged
to a predetermined, specifically measurable and accurately
reproducible compression force to best provide for an appropriate
resistive force to the Rotatable Fin Body's 102 rotation augmenting
and optimizing the friction fit/interference fit feature of the
embodiments. This rivet's compressive force, in combination with
the optional Interference Fit 114 at the Fin Arc Channel Interface
112, can provide sufficient passive resistance to prevent
inadvertent and/or unwanted rotation of the Rotatable Fin Assembly
100 as the fin moves through the water, but sufficiently enables
both manual rotation and auto-rotation capabilities with an
appropriate force requirement that can be easy to perform manually,
and at once has the capability to auto-rotate upon impacting an
obstacle, as disclosed herein, to prevent fin, fin box or
watercraft damage and/or user injury.
[0090] The Fin Body 102 and Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130 can
be permanently connected by the Rotation Fastener Hardware 196 thus
providing a multi-component yet unitary single piece assembly. Such
assembly can be selectively and removably affixed to the Tapered
Slidable Attachment Means 170 through a plurality of design
elements.
[0091] Referring additionally to FIGS. 32-48, the first attachment
means can be by fully engaging the Insertion Plate 134 of the
Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130 into the Insertion Plate Slot 182
of the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170. The clearance of the
Insertion Plate Slot 182 can be nearly line-on-line' for an 18ga
Insertion Plate for example, with approximately about 0.000'' to
about 0.005'' of total sidewall clearance for the Insertion Plate
134, e.g., a sidewall clearance of approximately 0.001'' to about
0.002''. The fit between these two parts can be snug to prevent fin
wobbling, but not so tight that it is too difficult for the user to
remove the Insertion Plate 134 of the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly
130 from the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 through the
application of a mild, vertically-applied, manual force, for
example.
[0092] The second attachment means can be where the connected
(i.e., riveted) unitary Fin Body 102/Fin Base Assembly can be
tethered to the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 with, e.g.,
two rubber bands, the Front Rubber Band 160 and the Rear Rubber
Band 162 respectively. Both of these rubber bands can nest into
recesses molded into the base and sides of the Tapered Slidable
Attachment Means 170 as defined by a Front Rubber Band Notch 154
and a Rear Rubber Band Notch 156, respectively. The two rubber
bands can be secured in the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170
and loop superiorly through the Front Rubber Band Notch 154 and
Rear Rubber Band Notch 156 respectively of the Over-Molded Fin Base
Assembly 130 with a continuous mild passive compressive force
exerted by both rubber bands when the riveted Fin Body 102/Fin Base
Assembly can be tethered to the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means
170.
[0093] The third attachment means can be where the lowest extent of
the Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130 defines a tubular-shaped,
Male Longitudinal Snap 146 made from the over-molded, compressible,
thermoplastic elastomer, and which engages at once the uppermost
extent of the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 which defines a
firm "U-channel shaped" Female Longitudinal Snap 148 which can be
made from a rigid, firm, and non-fragile, thermoplastic material
like reinforced polypropylene, nylon, ABS, PVC, polycarbonate, or
any other suitable materials. These materials can be UV and salt
water resistant, as well as being durable and having minimal
swelling coefficients when immersed in water. Embodiments of a
material for the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 of
embodiments of this disclosure can be PVC, due to its low cost,
excellent moldability, inherent strength, smoothly moldable
surface, and minimal expansion coefficient with continuous water
exposure. The Tapered Slidable Attachment Means could also be
configured to adapt to alternatively designed fin boxes as such may
be commercially available without diminishing the features of
embodiments of this disclosure.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, when fully engaged, the
compressible Male Longitudinal Snap 146 of the Over-Molded Fin Base
Assembly 130 nests essentially size for size into the firm Female
Longitudinal Snap 148 with line on line to minimal wall clearance
of about 0.000'' to about 0.005'' in the radius, e.g., 0.001'' to
0.002''. This removably connectable snap-fit between the components
can provide a positive "click" when the parts are fully engaged
with a firm downward thrust. The combination of the Insertion Plate
134, the Longitudinal Snap 144 connection, and the applied elastic
force of the taut front and rear rubber bands hold the entire
unitary Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 onto the watercraft firmly,
without wobbling once the Tapered Slidable Attachment 170 is firmly
affixed to the Fin Box 184 with the Attachment Screw/Attachment Nut
components (not shown).
[0095] In certain embodiments, a total vertical "pull" force of
between about 1 kg to about 10 kg can be required to disengage the
unitary Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 from the Tapered Slidable
Attachment 170, e.g., about 2 kg to about 3 kg of pull force. Such
pull force can be substantially less than the force needed to
rotate the Fin Body 102 such that the unitary Fin Assembly 100 is
not disconnected from the Fin Box 184 during a Leading Edge 190
impact event.
[0096] Referring additionally to FIGS. 40-48, the Tapered Slidable
Attachment 170 can be firmly affixed to the Fin Box 184 by means of
the combination of the Horizontal Pin 172, and the Attachment
Screw/Attachment Nut. These three components can be made from
strong, non-corroding materials, e.g., metals like bronze or
stainless steel, e.g., Type 304 Stainless Steel.
[0097] The Horizontal Pin 172 can slide into the Fin Box 184
through the Horizontal Fin Access Slot 186 and fits nearly size for
size into the seamlessly connected Longitudinal Fin Box Channel 188
with minimal clearance of about 0.000'' to 0.005'' in the diameter
of the channel, e.g., clearance being approximately about 0.001''
to about 0.002''. The Attachment Nut can also fit non-rotatably
into the Longitudinal Fin Box Channel 188 with a similar clearance,
for example. Additionally, the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means
170 can be narrower at its caudal (rear) end where the Horizontal
Pin 172 is located and wider at its rostral (front) end where the
Attachment Screw/Attachment Nut is located, which can fit size for
size into the vertical channel of the Fin box 184 without
compressing the Insertion Plate Slot 182. In certain embodiments,
the Horizontal Pin 172 can be accurately insert molded into its
position in the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170.
[0098] The combination of the snug fit of the Insertion Plate 134
into the Insertion Plate Slot 182, the snug fit of the Horizontal
Pin 172 in the Longitudinal Fin Box Channel 188 of the Fin Box 184,
the tightly affixable Attachment Screw/Attachment Nut, the snug fit
of the Longitudinal Snap 144, as well as the size for size fit of
Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 at the wide end of the taper
as it compressively nests into the vertical channel of the Fin box
184 with tightening, firmly holds the unitary Rotatable Fin
Assembly 100 selectively and connectedly to the Fin Box 184 and
thus to the watercraft without any discernable wiggle, or wobble,
or movement of any kind. Any desirable flexibility of the Fin Body
102 can be accomplished by the selection of the appropriately
desirable construction material.
[0099] Prior to the firm affixation of the Tapered Slidable
Attachment Means 170 into the vertical channel of the Fin box 184,
the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 can be freely positioned,
fore and aft, along the full extent of the longitudinal channel of
the Fin box 184 as desired by the user. The mobility of the Tapered
Slidable Attachment Means 170 can be facilitated by the full recess
of the rubber bands which, when tautly positioned in the notches,
do not extend to the boundary surface of the Tapered Slidable
Attachment Means 170, and thus do not interfere with its slidable
movement within the Fin Box 184. A typical recess margin can be
0.005'' to 0.020'', e.g., 0.010'' to accommodate for any potential
swelling of the components when immersed in water. Not unlike
current fin designs, additional solidity of the connection of the
Fin Assembly 100 to the Fin Box 184 of embodiments of this
disclosure, can be obtained through the utilization of shims
(plastic, metal, etc.) as are standard features with most standard
fins on the market today.
[0100] Embodiments of this disclosure have been disclosed above and
allow for a embodiments of an assembly method whereby, the Fin Body
102 can be slid onto and over the Rotation Plate 132 with the
inferior Fin Arc 108 being positioned over and onto the Fin Arc
Guide Channel 110 and can be compressibly held against the Fin Arc
Channel Interface to define the optional Interference Fit 114,
while at once aligning the Fin Rotation Fastener Hole 122 with the
Rotation Plate Fastener Hole 194, then inserting the Rotation
Fastener Hardware 124, e.g., the rivet disclosed herein. The rivet
can be then irreversibly crimped with the appropriate compression
force to permanently and firmly affix the Fin Body 102 to the
Over-Molded Fin Base Assembly 130. A Friction Ring 198 or disk can
be centrally affixed or concentrically over-molded onto the
Rotation Plate 132 such that the rivet impinges the Lower Fin Body
106 onto the Rotation Plate 132 thus creating the desired friction
fit/interference fit force of rotation.
[0101] Next, this unitary riveted assembly can be then removably
connected to the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 by
positioning the Insertion Plate 134 of the Over-Molded Fin Base
Assembly 130 into the Insertion Plate Slot 182 of the Tapered
Slidable Attachment Means 170. The two parts can be then fully
engaged with a forceful downward thrust whereby the tubular Male
Longitudinal Snap 146 at the inferior extent of the Over-Molded Fin
Base Assembly 130 removably inserts into the U-channel Female
Longitudinal Snap 148 at the superior extent of the Tapered
Slidable Attachment Means 170.
[0102] Next, The Front Rubber Band 160 can be then wrapped onto the
parts by sliding it through the Front Rubber Band Access Slot 150
then stretching it over the front end of the Tapered Slidable
Attachment Means 170 until it is fully nested and smoothly recessed
into the
[0103] Front Rubber Band Notch 154. The same procedure can be
similarly followed for the Rear Rubber Band 162 being fitted into
the Rear Rubber Band Access Slot 152 and stretched and smoothly
fitted into the Rear Rubber Band Notch 156. The Front and Rear
Rubber Bands 160 and 162 respectively, can be protected against
excessive wear and can be deeply seated into the Rubber Band
Notches by a full Radius Surface 158 of the Rubber Band Notches 154
and 156 respectively.
[0104] The base of the Lower Fin Body 106 can be defined inferiorly
by the Fin Arc 108 section which forms an essentially circular arc
segment thus a curvilinear shape to accommodate the rotation of the
Fin Body 102. The Lower Fin Body 106, can be circumscribed on both
left and right surfaces with a raised molded-in Decal Placement
Guide Rim 166, to facilitate the user's ability to position, place
and affix an optional self-adhesive circular Decorative Decal 168
onto the Lower Fin Body 106. Although decorative means such a
shrink wraps and decals of all shapes, sizes, colors and textures
could be applied to either any and all of the entire surface of the
Fin Body 102, providing from minimal to whole fin surface coverage,
the Decal Placement Guide Rim 166 can be essentially circular and
approximates the shape of the Fin Arc 108 and can accommodate a
circular decal, e.g., basic decoration for the embodiments. This
Decorative Decal 168 fits with a small circumferential clearance
within Decal Placement Guide Rim 166 and will enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the Fin Assembly 100, as well as cover the Rotation
Fastener 124, e.g., a crimped flush-mounting aviation rivet.
Different and or replacement Decals 168 can be fashioned in the
standard size the fit the Decal Placement Guide Rim 166, and sold
separately. The diameter of the Decorative Decal 168 of the current
embodiment can be between 2 inches to 8 inches, e.g., 4 inches in
an embodiment illustrated herein.
[0105] The Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 can be designed to be
universally applicable to virtually all fin boxes on the market.
The Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 removably connects to the standard
Fin Box 184 using the traditional method of connection, whereby the
Attachment Nut 176 can be inserted into the Longitudinal Fin Box
Channel 188 and slid to the forward-most end of the Fin Box 184.
The Horizontal Pin 172 of the Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 can be
inserted into the Longitudinal Fin Box Channel 188 and slid
rearward and maneuvered such that the Attachment Screw Hole 178 can
be positioned over the Attachment Nut 176 which can be situated in
the Longitudinal Fin Box Channel 188. The Attachment Screw 174 can
be then inserted into and through the Attachment Screw Hole 178
whereupon it engages the threaded Attachment Nut 176, and can be
slightly tightened to unify the Attachment Screw 174 and the
Attachment Nut 176. The entire Rotatable Fin Assembly 100 can be
then longitudinally positioned at the desired fore and aft location
by the user, along the extent of the Fin Box 184, and the
Attachment Screw can be then fully tightened, pulling the size on
size wide end of the Tapered Slidable Attachment Means 170 to
become flush with the surface of the Fin Box 184. The optional
shims as mentioned above can be positioned if necessary to further
tighten the connection.
[0106] Once firmly positioned in the Fin Box 184, the Rotatable Fin
Assembly 100 of embodiments of this disclosure provides for two
basic user activities: a) reduction of the Fin Body 102 vertical
profile using a fin rotation method as disclosed herein, and b)
folding the Fin Assembly 100 horizontally against the watercraft's
Ventral Surface 128 to accommodate the easy and convenient
transportation and storage of the watercraft without having to
remove the fin as disclosed herein.
[0107] As disclosed above, the Fin Body 102 can be rotated either
manually by the user without the use of tools, or it can
automatically rotate upon an inadvertent impact with a subsurface
object as the fin moves through the water. Manual rotation of the
Fin Body 102 can be accomplished by simply either grasping the Fin
Tip 190 or Fin Body 102 or by applying the user's hand against the
Leading Edge 116 of the Fin Tip 190 to provide a gentle but firm
pressure thereupon, thus overcoming the friction fit/interference
fit resistive force and rotating the Fin Body 102 rearward. Such
Fin Body 102 rotation extends through an infinite number of
possible positions from its most vertical orientation to its most
horizontal orientation, as it rotates through approximately 90
degrees of arc, while at once reducing the fin's vertical height
profile by approximately 50%.
[0108] When desirable, the Fin Body 102 and Over-Molded Fin Base
Assembly 130, as a single riveted unit, can be manually
repositioned, without the use of tools, by the user into a
"Lay-flat" position without having to disconnect the components. In
this example, the user simply grasps the Fin Body 102 and applies a
modest vertically force to lift the Insertion Plate 134 out of the
Insertion Plate Slot 182, while at once disengaging the
Longitudinal Snap 144, while at once stretching the Front and Rear
Rubber Bands 160 and 162 respectively; which act to elastically
maintain their connection with the Tapered Slidable Attachment
Means 170. Once the lifted Insertion Plate 134 clears the top lip
of the Insertion Plate Slot 182, the entire assembly can be folded
over toward either the port side or the starboard side of the
watercraft hull and positioned horizontally into the lay-flat
position. In this position, the Fin Body 102 rests horizontally,
defining a small distance between it and the Ventral Surface of the
Watercraft 128. This space can accommodate a number of securing
means designed to prevent the Fin Body from contacting the hull of
the watercraft during transport or storage, potentially damaging
the hull, the fin or both. A Double Sided Suction Cup 126 can be
inserted between the Fin Body 102 and the Ventral Hull Surface 128
which compressibly and removably restrains or tethers the Fin Body
102 to the Ventral Hull Surface 128. Alternatively, various
catchment means, or a molded-in magnetic clasping means can be
utilized to removably restrain the Fin Body 102 to the Ventral Hull
Surface 128.
[0109] For convenience, a table depicting elements in the drawings
is produced below.
TABLE-US-00001 100 Rotatable Fin Assembly 102 Fin Body 104 Upper
Fin Body 106 Lower Fin Body 108 Fin Arc 110 Fin Arc Guide Channel
112 Fin Arc Channel Interface 114 Interference Fit 116 Leading Edge
118 Training Edge 120 Power Bulge Section 122 Fin Rotation Fastener
Hole 124 Rotation Fastener 126 Double Sided Suction Cup Cushion 128
Ventral Surface of Watercraft 130 Over-molded Fin Base Assembly 132
Rotation Plate 134 Insertion Plate 136 Over-molded Fin Base Plate
138 Vertical Rotation Stop 140 Horizontal Rotation Stop 142
Rotation Gap 144 Longitudinal Snap 146 Male Longitudinal Snap 148
Female Longitudinal Snap 150 Front Rubber Band Access Slot 152 Rear
Rubber Band Access Slot 154 Front Rubber Band Notch 156 Rear Rubber
Band Notch 158 Radius Surface of Rubber Band Notch 160 Front Rubber
Band 162 Rear Rubber Band 164 Rotation Clearance Notch 166 Decal
Placement Guide Rim 168 Decorative Decal 170 Tapered Slide
Attachment Means 172 Horizontal Pin 174 Attachment Screw 176
Attachment Nut 178 Attachment Screw Hole 180 Attachment Nut Recess
182 Insertion Plate Slot 184 Fin Box 186 Horizontal Pin Access Slot
188 Longitudinal Fin Box Channel OTHER 190 Fin Tip 192 Rotation
Plate Channel 194 Rotation Plate Fastener Hole 196 Rotation
Fastener Hardware 198 Friction Disk
[0110] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as
described above and shown in the drawings, provide for systems and
methods with superior properties. While the apparatus and methods
of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with
reference to embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject
disclosure.
* * * * *