PIVOTABLE FIN ASSEMBLY, FIN SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND AQUATIC BOARD INCLUDING THE FIN SYSTEM

Abstract

A pivotable fin assembly, fin assembly including the same, and an aquatic board including the fin system, the fin assembly including: a housing including a base, a side wall extending from the base, and a first boss disposed on the base; a retainer disposed in the housing and including a second boss; and a fin attached to the retainer. The retainer is configured to rotate in the housing by at least about 30°.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a pivotable fin assembly, a fin system including the same, and an aquatic board including the fin system.

BACKGROUND

An aquatic board may include fins to enhance maneuverability. For example, an aquatic board may include right and left fins. A rider turns the board by engaging a rail of the board in the water, while using a fin on the same side of the board as the engaged rail as a pivot point. In particular, the fin provides resistance to the lateral movement of the board, such that the board pivots around the fin. However, the opposing fin generates drag during the turn, thereby making the board harder to turn and requiring more input from the rider. The created drag also slows the board.

Accordingly, there is a need for a fin system that reduces drag and increases maneuverability of an aquatic board.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide a pivotable fin assembly, comprising: a housing comprising a base, a side wall extending from the base, and a first boss disposed on the base; a retainer disposed in the housing and comprising a second boss; and a fin attached to the retainer, wherein the retainer is configured to rotate in the housing by at least about 30°.

Exemplary embodiments provide a fin system for an aquatic board, the system comprising: a first fin assembly configured to be disposed on a first side of the aquatic board, the first fin assembly comprising a first housing, a first retainer disposed in the housing, and a first fin attached to the first retainer; and a second fin assembly configured to be disposed on an opposing second side of the aquatic board, the second fin assembly comprising a second housing, a second retainer disposed in the housing, and a second fin attached to the second retainer, wherein the first and second retainers are configured to rotate with respect to the first and second housings, by at least about 30°.

Exemplary embodiments provide an aquatic board comprising the fin system.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a perspective view of pivoting fin assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the fin assembly of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a modified version of a fin box of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is perspective view showing bottom and side surfaces of a retainer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view showing top and side surfaces of the retainer of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic view of a pad of the fuel cell system of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A-5C are partial perspective views of the fin assembly of FIG. 1, showing the rotation of a fin relative to a fin box.

FIGS. 6A-6C are plan views of the fin box that respectively correspond to FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 7A-7C are top views of an aquatic board moving straight, turning clockwise, and turning counter-clockwise, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified second boss of a fin box, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates perspective views of a modified housing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an aquatic board according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

The arrangements of the fin system, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein.

Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Any one or more features of any embodiment may be used in any combination with any one or more other features of one or more other embodiments.

Herein, an “aquatic board” is intended to refer to various types of aquatic devices, such as, for example, surfboards, boogie boards, wake boards, water skis, wind surfing boards, or the like.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of pivoting fin assembly 100, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the fin assembly 100 of FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fin assembly 100 includes a fin 110 disposed in a fin box 120. In particular, the fin 110 includes a leading edge 110A, a trailing edge 110B, and a support 112 that is connected to the fin box 120. The support 112 may be a rectangular tab extending from a main body of the fin 110. However, the fin 110 may include multiple supports 112, according to various embodiments.

The fin box 120 includes a housing 130, spacers 122, a retainer 140, a fastener 124, and retention hardware 126. The fin 110 is held in the retainer 140 by the retention hardware 126. The retention hardware 126 may be in the form of screws or the like. The fastener 124 operates to hold the retainer 140 in the housing 130, such that the retainer 140 is rotatable within the housing 130. As shown, fastener 124 may be a spring clip configured to interface with an annular groove formed in the housing 130, as discussed in detail below. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of fastener.

The spacers 122 are disposed between the retainer 140 and the housing 130 and may operate to properly position the retainer 140 in the housing 130. The spacers 122 may also operate to control the rotation of the retainer 140 in the housing 130. For example, the spacers 122 may allow the retainer 140 to be smoothly rotated. In particular, the rotation of the retainer 140 may be controlled by controlling an amount of friction that occurs between the spacers 122 and the retainer 140. For example, the friction may be increased or decreased, by increasing or decreasing the size and/or thickness of the spacers 122. The friction may be set such that the water resistance applied to the fin 110 during turning of an aquatic board is sufficient to rotate the fin 110.

According to some embodiments, the spacers 122 may be in the form of o-rings. The o-rings may be formed of rubber or silicon, for example. In other embodiments, the spacers 122 may be bearings or torsion springs, for example. Further, in some embodiments the spacers 122 may be omitted.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modified fin box 120A, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The fin box 120A is similar to the fin box 120, so only the differences therebetween will be discussed in detail. Referring to FIG. 2, the fin box 120A includes a housing 130A, a retainer 140, and a fastener 124A. Although not shown, the fin box 120A may also include the spacers 122 and retention hardware 126 shown in FIG. 1B.

The fastener 124A may be an annular plate configured to be seated on an annular groove 134A of the housing 130A. The groove 134A may be configured such that the retainer is free to rotate when the fastener 124A is attached to the housing 130A. The fastener 124A may include attachment holes 125 configured to overlap with attachment holes 137 formed in the housing 130A. Accordingly, the fastener 124A may be attached to the housing 130A by screws or the like that are secured in the attachment holes 125 and 137.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the housing 130. Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 130 includes a base 131, a side wall 133 extending from the base 131, a first boss 132 disposed on the base 131, and an annular groove 134 formed in the sidewall 133. The groove 134 may be configured to receive the fastener 124. The boss 132 may be disposed inside the sidewall 133 and is configured to restrict the rotation of the retainer 140, as discussed in detail below.

The housing 130 may also include attachment grooves 136 and alignment tabs 138. Attachment grooves 136 may be configured to allow the housing 130 to be securely attached to an aquatic board. The alignment tabs 138 may facilitate proper alignment of the housing 130 in an aquatic board, and may include alignment indicia configured to indicate how the housing is to be disposed with respect to left and right sides of an aquatic board.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view showing bottom and side surfaces of the retainer 140. FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of top and side surfaces of the retainer 140.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4A, the retainer 140 may include lateral grooves 142, a fin slot 144, attachment holes 146, and a second boss 148. The lateral grooves 142 may be configured to receive the spacers 122. The fin slot 144 may be configured to receive the fin 110, e.g., receive the support 112. The holes 146 may be configured to receive the attachment hardware 126. In particular, the holes 146 may include first holes 146A disposed on one side of the fin slot 144, and a second hole 146B disposed on an opposing second side of the fin slot 144. The first holes 146A may be smaller than the second hole 146B. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration or sizing of the holes 146, so long as the fin 110 may be secured in the fin slot 144.

The second boss 148 is disposed on an upper surface of the retainer 140. The second boss 148 may be generally semi-circular and may include a recess 149. The second boss 148 may be configured to control the rotation of the retainer 130, in conjunction with the first boss 132. In particular, the first boss 132 and the second boss 148 may be substantially coplanar. For example, the first and second bosses 132, 148 may be disposed in a plane that is parallel to a plane of the base 131. The recess 149 may operate as a passage for water, as discussed in detail below.

FIGS. 5A-5C are partial perspective views of the fin assembly 100, showing the rotation of the fin 110 relative to the fin box 120. FIGS. 6A-6C are plan views of the fin box 120 respectively corresponding to FIGS. 5A-5C.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 6A, the fin 110 is disposed in a first position relative to the fin box 120, where a first side of the first boss 132 contacts a first side of the second boss 148. As a result, the contact between the bosses 132, 148 prevents rotation of the fin 110 in direction A (clockwise).

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 6B, the fin 110 is rotated in direction B, such that the fin 110 is disposed in a second position relative to the fin box 120. In the second position, the fin 110 may rotate in either direction A or direction B (counterclockwise), since the movement of the fin is not restricted by the bosses 132, 148. In other words, since the bosses 132, 148, do not contact one another the fin 110 is free to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise.

Referring to FIGS. 5C and 6C, by rotating in direction B, the fin 110 is disposed in a third position where a second side of the first boss 132 contacts a second side of the second boss 148. Therefore, further rotation of the fin 110 in direction B is prevented by the bosses 132, 148.

Accordingly, the fin assembly 100 is configured to allow the fin 110 to rotate approximately 90° from the first position to the third position. However, the bosses 132, 148 may be configured to allow for a greater or lesser range of motion. For example, the bosses 132, 148 may be configured to allow at least about 30°, 35°, 40°, or 45° of rotation. In some embodiments, the bosses 132, 148 may be configured to allow an amount of rotation ranging from about 20° to about 235°. For example, the bosses 132, 148 may be configured to allow an amount of rotation ranging from about 30° to about 170°, from about 35° to about 165°, from about 40° to about 160°, from about 45° to 155°, or from about 60° to about 150°.

In addition, any fluid, such as air or water, in the fin box 120 may pass through the recess 149. As such, such fluids are not trapped on any one side of the bosses 132, 148. Thus, the recess 149 is configured to prevent such fluids from restricting the movement of the fin 110.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an aquatic board 250 including a fin system 200 and that is moving in a direction parallel to a centerline CL thereof, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate top view of the aquatic board 250 respectively turning in a clockwise direction C and counter clockwise direction CC.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the aquatic board 250 is shown as being transparent. The fin system assembly 200 includes a right fin assembly 100R (first fin assembly) and a left fin assembly 100L (second fin assembly). The fin assemblies 100R, 100L may be substantially the same as the fin assembly 100, and respectively include a right fin 110R and a left fin 100L. However, each fin assembly 100R, 100L is configured to restrict the motion of its respective fin 100R, 100L, according to its corresponding side of the aquatic board 250, as discussed in detail below.

In FIG. 7A the aquatic board is traveling in a direction F which is parallel to a centerline CL (lengthwise central axis) of the board. Accordingly, the fins 110R, 110L are both aligned substantially parallel to the centerline CL. In other words, both fins 100R, 100L are aligned with the path of least resistance e.g., the least water resistance.

In FIG. 7B, the aquatic board 250 is turning in the clockwise direction C. As such, the right side of the aquatic board 250 may be referred to as an inner rail, and the left side of the aquatic board 250 may be referred to as an outer rail. During the turn, the right fin assembly 110R prevents the right fin 110R from pivoting towards the right side of the aquatic board 250, such that the right fin 110L is held substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the aquatic board 250. In addition, the left fin assembly 100L allows the left fin 110L to pivot toward the right side of the aquatic board 250. In other words, the left fin 110L pivots, such that a trailing edge thereof moves towards the centerline CL.

As such, the right fin 110R operates as a pivot point of the turn, while the left fin 110L is aligned with the arc of turn, thereby reducing the resistance applied to the left fin 110L. In other words, the fin system 200 is configured to reduce drag on the aquatic board 250, by allowing the left fin 110L to pivot to a position where drag is minimized, while maintaining the right fin 110R in a position that facilitates the turning.

In FIG. 7C, the aquatic board 250 is turning in the counterclockwise direction CC. As such, the left side of the aquatic board 250 may be referred to as an inner rail, and the right side of the aquatic board 250 may be referred to as an outer rail. During the turn, the left fin assembly 1101 prevents the left fin 110L from pivoting towards the left side of the aquatic board 250, such that the left fin 110L is held substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the aquatic board 250. In addition, the right fin assembly 100R allows the right fin 110R to pivot toward the left side of the aquatic board 250. In other words, the right fin 110R rotates, such that a trailing edge thereof is closer to the centerline CL than a leading edge thereof.

As such, the left fin 110L operates as a pivot point of the turn, while the right fin 110R is aligned with the arc of the turn, thereby reducing the resistance applied to the right fin 110R. In other words, the fin system 200 is configured to reduce drag on the aquatic board 250, by allowing the right fin 110R to pivot to a position where drag is minimized, while maintaining the left fin 110L in a position that facilitates the turning.

Accordingly, the fin system 200 is configured to facilitate turning of the aquatic board 250 and increase the speed thereof, by reducing drag of a fin disposed adjacent to an outer rail of the aquatic board 250.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a portion a fin box including a modified second boss 148A, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the second boss 148A includes a circular cutout 149A, rather than a recess 149 shown in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, water transfer may be improved.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified housing 130A according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, the housing 130A includes a cap 135 configured to mate with sidewall 133A. The cap 135 may be joined to the sidewall 135A by threads, snapping features, or the like. The cap 135 overlaps the sidewall 133A, and includes a flange 135A configured to hold the retainer 140 in the housing 130A. Accordingly, additional retaining features, such as a spring clip or the like may be omitted.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of an aquatic board 250A including a fin system 200A, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The aquatic board 250A is similar to the aquatic board 250, so only the differences therebetween will be discussed in detail.

Referring to FIG. 10, the fin system 200A includes an additional center fin assembly 100C including a center fin 110C. The center fin assembly 100C may be configured to allow the center fin 110C to pivot from the forward direction F, towards either side of the centerline CL of aquatic board 250A. For example, the center fin 110C may rotate between positions X and Y.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pivotable fin assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a base, a side wall extending from the base, and a first boss disposed on the base;

a retainer disposed in the housing and comprising a second boss;

a fin attached to the retainer,

wherein the retainer is configured to rotate in the housing by at least about 30°.

2. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer is configured to pivot in the housing, between a first position where the second boss contacts a first side of the first boss, and a second where the second boss contacts a second side of the first boss.

3. The fin assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one spacer disposed between side wall of the housing and the retainer.

4. The fin assembly of claim 3, wherein the retainer comprises at least one groove configured to receive the spacer.

5. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer is configured to rotate by an amount ranging from about 30° to about 170°.

6. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises attachment grooves formed in an outer surface thereof.

7. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises alignment tabs extending from an edge of the sidewall.

8. The fin assembly of claim 7, wherein the alignment tabs comprise alignment indicia.

9. The fin assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to hold the retainer in the housing.

10. The fin assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the sidewall comprises a groove in which the fastener is disposed; and

the fastener comprises a spring clip or an annular plate.

11. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the second boss is semi-circular.

12. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the second boss comprises a recess configured to operate as a passage for water to flow within the housing.

13. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a fin slot configured to receive a support extending from the fin.

14. The fin assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cap attached to the sidewall and configured to hold the retainer in the housing.

15. A fin system for an aquatic board, the system comprising:

a first fin assembly configured to be disposed on a first side of the aquatic board, the first fin assembly comprising a first housing, a first retainer disposed in the housing, and a first fin attached to the first retainer; and

a second fin assembly configured to be disposed on an opposing second side of the aquatic board, the second fin assembly comprising a second housing, a second retainer disposed in the housing, and a second fin attached to the second retainer,

wherein the first and second retainers are configured to rotate with respect to the first and second housings, by at least about 30°.

16. The fin system of claim 15, wherein the first and second retainers are configured to rotate with respect to the first and second housings, by an amount ranging from about 30° to about 170°.

17. The fin system of claim 15, wherein:

the first retainer is configured to pivot in the first housing, such that the first fin rotates between a first position, where the first fin is parallel to a centerline of the board, and a second position where a trailing edge of the first fin is closer to the centerline than a leading edge of the first fin; and

the second retainer is configured to pivot in the first housing, such that the second fin rotates between a third position, where the second fin is parallel to the centerline of the board, and a fourth position where a trailing edge of the second fin is closer to the centerline than a leading edge of the second fin.

18. The fin system of claim 15, wherein:

when the aquatic board is turning in the first direction, the first fin assembly is configured to hold the first fin in the first position, and the second fin assembly is configured to rotate the second fin towards the fourth position; and

when the aquatic board is turning in the second direction, the second fin assembly is configured to hold the second fin in the third position, and the first fin assembly is configured to rotate the first fin towards the second position.

19. An aquatic board comprising the fin system of claim 15 disposed on a lower surface thereof.

20. The aquatic board of claim 19, wherein the aquatic board is selected from a surfboard, a boogie board, a wake board, a water ski, or a wind surfing board.