HYDROFOIL ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

The disclosure includes systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies and methods for removably and securely attaching a hydrofoil to a board used in water sports. At least some of the systems include toolless removable attachment and/or toolless forward and backward position adjustment. In various embodiments, the attachment includes a U-Rail adapter mechanically mating with a U-Trench frame assembly disposed within said board.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/019,841, filed May 4, 2020, titled “Hydrofoil Attachment System And Method,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/886,789, filed Aug. 14, 2019, titled “Hydrofoil Attachment System and Method,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/886,801, filed Aug. 14, 2019, titled “Hydrofoil Assembly System,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present invention relates generally to hydrofoils, and more specifically, to a hydrofoil assembly system for ease in mechanically mating a hydrofoil to a surfboard.

Hydrofoils

Hydrofoils generally are surfaces that interact with water as those surfaces are propelled forward. Hydrofoils include a wing or multiple wings mounted on a strut or multiple struts that position the wing or wings in the water. In some designs, the wing or wings interact with the water at speed to create lift, often reducing some or all of a hull or board surface from the water; thereby decreasing water drag resistance. This decrease leads to some or all of better efficiency, additional speed, and/or smoother rides. Designers attach hydrofoil(s) or foil(s) to boats, personal watercraft, surfboards, kiteboards, windsurfing boards, and the like.

For example, FIG. 1 is a picture of a surfer harnessing the energy of an underwater swell using a hydrofoil attached to a surfboard. As shown in FIG. 1, when the surfer reaches a certain speed, the hydrofoil creates lift, raising, in the example of FIG. 1, the surfboard entirely out of the water. As further shown in FIG. 1, the hydrofoil includes one or more wings operating beneath the surface (not shown) positioned by a single strut mounted to the base of the surfboard.

SUMMARY

One challenge of hydrofoil systems is the difficulty in changing the various components after assembly of the hydrofoil, particularly the complexity, time, and needed tools for changing from one hydrofoil to another, or one strut to another. For example, hydrofoils attached to surf boards may be integrated into a single nonremovable attachment system in an attempt to ensure sufficient strength in the mechanical connection and/or simplification of manufacturing processes.

In other hydrofoil attachment systems, the hydrofoil may be attached to a surfboard by removable bolts, by one or many mortise and tenon structures, or using a track box with screws as fasteners. FIG. 2A shows a simplified surfboard with a pair of differently shaped hydrofoils, each apparently connectable by a two (2) bolt connection mechanism. Examples of this and additional types of attachment systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,378, filed Nov. 16, 1989, and titled, “Hydrofoil and Surfboard Type Assembly.” FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a hydrofoil connector system employing a series of mortise and tenon joints. Examples of this and additional types of attachment systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,586,651, filed Jun. 16, 2015, titled, “Universal Hydrofoil Connector System and Method of Attachment.” This patent references on its cover a priority benefit of Mar. 14, 2013. Each of the foregoing patent disclosures should be read in their entirety as the foregoing reference to each made herein was not a comprehensive, exhaustive, or even representative summary of scope or content of each disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a picture of a hydrofoil attachment system employing a track box with screw fasteners. These hydrofoil attachment systems often require tools, such as a screwdriver, and often a specialty screwdriver like a torx or hex head screwdriver, to attach and remove the hydrofoil from the surfboard. Tool-based attachment mechanisms can be inconvenient and tedious, particularly when a rider must disassemble the attachment mechanism and separate the board from the hydrofoil to fit them into a vehicle for transport. Additionally, existing hydrofoil attachment systems add undesired weight to the surfboard and the screws can become corroded over time. Accordingly, although strides have been made in the area of hydrofoil attachment systems, many shortcomings remain.

The systems and methods of use described in the present application overcome one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional hydrofoils, improve the aesthetics, and/or provide straightforward and/or convenient operation and use. These and other unique features of the systems and methods of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Any feature, structure, or step disclosed herein can be replaced with or combined with any other feature, structure, or step disclosed herein, or omitted. Further, for purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and features of the inventions have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily any or all such advantages are achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein. No individual aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a picture of a surfer riding a surfboard with a hydrofoil.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate prior art hydrofoil attachment systems.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary track box hydrofoil attachment system.

FIGS. 4A-4B are pictures of exemplary components of an exemplary hydrofoil.

FIGS. 5A-5B and 6A-6C illustrate methods of connecting components of the hydrofoil.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a surfboard with an exemplary foil attachment assembly, including an exemplary attached foil plate assembly of an exemplary hydrofoil.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary details of the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate exemplary details of a sub-assembly of the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8D.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary details of a locking assembly for use with the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8C.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate exemplary details of a universal adapter for a foil plate assembly of a hydrofoil, the universal adapter advantageously for use with the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8C.

FIGS. 12A-12F illustrate steps for assembling the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, including an exemplary foil plate assembly of a hydrofoil attached to the universal adapter of FIGS. 11A-11D.

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3A illustrates a system including a hydrofoil plate insert 2 configured to snap or click into a corresponding track box 4. The hydrofoil plate insert may be attached directly onto a flat plate surface of the hydrofoil. The hydrofoil plate insert may also contain various bores to reduce the weight of the hydrofoil. FIG. 3A shows the hydrofoil plate insert of the hydrofoil engaging the track box on the surfboard to secure the hydrofoil to the surfboard. As shown in FIG. 3A, the attachment does not require traditional screws as is the case with conventional hydrofoil attachment systems.

FIG. 3B illustrates a track box of FIG. 3A configured to be mounted to a surfboard. The track box can be configured to receive the hydrofoil plate insert to secure the hydrofoil to the surfboard. The track box may include various snap, click, or other fasteners such that the hydrofoil may be attached and released quickly by a user without the need to use a traditional screwdriver and screws.

The hydrofoil plate insert may be configured to engage with a parallel rail track box or a track box specifically configured to receive the hydrofoil plate insert. The hydrofoil plate insert and track box may be “U” shaped or another configuration that allows for convenient attaching and detaching of the hydrofoil from the surfboard.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate components of hydrofoils. For example, the hydrofoils described herein may include a plate 12, a mast 14, a fuselage 18, a front wing 16, and/or a back wing 20. The plate 12 is often shaped to attach to a board via screws or other attachment mechanisms and to structurally support the mast. Each of these components may be a separate component, or one or more these components may be integrated together.

FIGS. 5A-5B depict a “click” system and FIGS. 6A-6C depict a “rail” system for assembling hydrofoil components. A “click” or “rail” system is designed such that the various components of the hydrofoil assembly system may be attached without screws. For example, the various components of the hydrofoil including the plate, the mast, the fuselage, the front wing, and/or the back wing may slide between each other along rails or secure with a click or button system, or a combination of each systems.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a surfboard 400 with a foil attachment assembly 410 on a first or bottom side 402 of the surfboard 400. The bottom side 402 of the surfboard 400 faces the water in use. The foil attachment assembly 410 may be closer to a rear end 404 of the surfboard 400 than a front end 406 of the surfboard. As shown in FIG. 7A, the foil attachment assembly 410 may be at least partially embedded within the surfboard 400. For example, the foil attachment assembly 410 may include a housing or enclosure 420 embedded within the surfboard 400 such that a surface of the housing 420 is flush with the bottom side 402 of the surfboard 400. FIG. 7A shows the foil attachment assembly 410 with a foil plate portion 440 already affixed to the assembly 410. For example, the foil plate portion 440 may include the plate of the hydrofoil from FIGS. 4A and 4B. When affixed, the foil plate portion 440 may project from the bottom side 402 of the surfboard 400 to enable connection to other hydrofoil components, for example the hydrofoil components shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the foil attachment assembly 410 may advantageously include a self-contained foil attachment system. In the example shown, the system comprises a box or a cube that a board shaper or manufacturer can straightforwardly mount into a cavity in a board. Use of a self-contained system allows the attachment system designer to control the strength of the elements of the attachment, the mechanism of removal and installation, and/or the weight of the system, as well as the specific materials for each portion thereof. Additionally, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein many shapes for the self-contained foil attachment system, including rounded or oval portions, spherical or spherical portions, detents or edges that match or mate with opposite mechanical structures in the board, or the like. Also, the artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein various manufacturing techniques for affixing the system within the cavity of the board, including fiberglassing and/or gluing various sections. The system may comprise a box made of a wide variety of materials, including, for example, foam, plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, steel, combinations of the same, or the like.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary details of the foil attachment assembly shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. It may be desirable to connect the hydrofoil at different positions relative to a center of gravity of a surfboard. Accordingly, the foil plate portion 440 may be attached at multiple installation positions. For example, the foil plate assemblies illustrated herein may accommodate two installation positions—a mid-position installation (see FIG. 8A) and an end-position installation (see FIG. 8B). Different installation positions may provide the surfer with different amounts of lift depending on the position and/or power of the waves. When the hydrofoil is mounted closer to the front end 406 of the surfboard 400 (e.g., mid-position installation), the surfer will get more lift when the waves are small or the surfer travels downwind. When the hydrofoil is mounted closer to the rear end 404 of the surfboard 400 (e.g., end-position installation), the surfer will get less lift but more control, which may be desirable when the waves are bigger. Although the foil attachment assembly 410 is shown with two installation positions, the foil attachment assembly may be designed with only one installation position or more than two installation positions.

FIG. 8A shows an adapter 442 (also referred to as a U-rail or rail section) positioned in the mid-position installation. As disclosed herein, the adapter 442 is U-shaped and shaped to firmly fit within a U-shaped trench frame 430 (shown in detail in FIG. 9A). The adapter 442 includes attachment portions, such as threaded holes (shown in detail in FIGS. 11A-11D), that receive screws to firmly removably attach a foil plate of a hydrofoil. Other mechanism to attach a foil plate to the adapter, or U-Rail 442, would be recognizable to an artisan from the disclosure herein. Moreover, hydrofoil manufacturers may advantageously manufacture their foil plates to include a removable or even a nonremovable permanent adapter or U-Rail 442.

FIG. 8B shows a foil plate of a hydrofoil screw-attached to the adapter 442 (not shown) and positioned in the end-position installation. Advantageously, as disclosed herein with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12, a non-tool adjustment can quickly and straightforwardly move an attached hydrofoil from a mid-position installation to an end-position installation to change the operation of the surfboard 400 by shifting the hydrofoil toward or away from a center of gravity. Similarly, the non-tool attachment of the adapter 442 to the trench frame 430 allows a user to quickly and toollessly change from one hydrofoil with an attached adapter 442 to another hydrofoil with another attached adapter 442. Thus, a user may have the surfboard with a mounted U-Trench 430. The user may purchase one to many U-Rails or adapters 442 and removably mount them to the plates of their hydrofoils, and then swap those hydrofoils as conditions or desire dictate without a need for specialty tools.

FIG. 8D illustrates a partial exploded view of the foil attachment assembly 410. As shown, a foil plate portion 440 may be removably attached to a universal U-Rail, adapter, or rail section 442. The foil attachment assembly 410 may also include a trench frame 430, and/or a housing 420. The U-Rail 442 may be at least partially disposed within a cavity or trench 434 in the trench frame 430. For example, a rail section 442 of the foil plate portion 440 may be disposed within the trench 434, while a plate section 444 and/or a connection section 446 of the foil plate portion 440 remain outside of the trench 434.

Corresponding alignment features in the trench frame 430 and the rail section 442 may be configured to control a position of the rail section 442 relative to the attachment assembly and prevent the mounting plate of the hydrofoil from decoupling from the attachment assembly. As explained further below, one or more alignment pins 431 may be disposed within the trench 434. The one or more alignment pins 431 may interface with one or more alignment features, for example grooves 441, in the rail section 442. One or more of the grooves may advantageously include a generally vertical cavity followed by a generally horizontal cavity thereby presenting an upside-down backwards L shaped opening to one or more of the alignment pins 431. In such an example, docking of the foil plate portion 440 within the trench frame 430 includes travel of one or more of the alignment pins 431 vertically through the groove 441, then horizontally to lock vertical movement of the pins 431. In an embodiment, one set of grooves 441 include the L shape while another set includes only a horizontal groove locking out vertical movement between the plate 440 and the trench frame 430 (grooves shown also in FIGS. 11A-B). An artisan will recognize form the disclosure herein other shapes or channels for the grooves 441, including grooves that do not penetrate through the rail section 442 (U-Rail, FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 8D, one or more toolless locking assemblies 450 may be at least partially disposed in the trench frame 430. For example, each locking assembly 450 may be entirely disposed in cavities in the trench frame 430.

The trench frame 430 may be disposed within a corresponding recess 424 in the housing 420. In some configurations, the entire trench frame 430 may be disposed within the housing 420.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a sub-assembly with the housing 420 and the trench frame 430. As shown in FIG. 9A, the housing 420 may include a recess 424 shaped and sized to receive the trench frame 430. The recess 424 may be formed from the bottom surface 422 of the housing 420. The trench frame 430 may be adhered or otherwise fixed to the housing 420. When assembled, the entire trench frame 430 may be disposed within the housing. A bottom surface 432 of the trench frame 430 may be flush with or recessed from a bottom surface 422 of the housing 420 (see FIG. 9B). The housing 420 may be glassed in with the surfboard 400. A portion of the trench frame 430 may also be glassed in, but the trench 434 remains open to receive the foil plate portion 440.

The housing 420 may include the same material as the surfboard 400. For example, the housing material may include a foam material, such as high-density polyvinyl chloride foam. As illustrated, the housing 420 may be box-shaped or have a rectangular profile. However, the housing 420 may take on any other shape such as a circular or triangular profile. As explained above, at least a partial or full thickness of the housing 420 may be received within the surfboard 400.

As illustrated, the trench 434 may include parallel trench portions 434a, 434b configured to receive corresponding rail portions 442a, 442b of the foil plate portion 440. The parallel trench portions 434a, 434b may extend longitudinally in a front to rear direction. In some configurations, the trench 434 may include one or more transverse trench portions 434c, 434d extending between the parallel trench portions 434a, 434b. The trench 434 may include a plurality of transverse trench portions 434c, 434d to accommodate different installation positions. As illustrated, the trench 434 includes two transverse trench portions 434c, 434d, but additional transverse trench portions may be provided.

Each transverse trench portion 434c, 434d may form a general U-shape with the parallel trench portions 434a, 434b. The U-shaped trench portion may accommodate the U-shaped rail section 442 shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. The U-shaped trench portion may also accommodate any foil plate portion with parallel rail portions without the need for an adaptor.

An artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that use of the parallel trench portions 434a, b increase or even maximize the amount of connection surface area within a limited box depth, thereby advantageously increasing or maximizing an amount of multi-directional stresses and torsion the combined assembly can withstand. The box depth limits are a function of the dimensions of the surfboard 400, which are often chosen for desired performance and rider weight characteristics and not simply for box accommodations.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the trench frame 430 may accommodate one or more locking assemblies 450. The one or more locking assemblies 450 may be built into the trench frame 430 or separate components positioned within the trench frame 430. For example, the trench frame 430 may include one or more cavities 436a, 436b (see FIG. 9B). The one or more cavities 436a, 436b may be sized to receive the one or more locking assemblies 450 from the bottom surface 432 of the trench frame 430. A first cavity 436a may be disposed between the transverse trench portions 434c, 434d. A second cavity 436b may be disposed between the first cavity 436a and an end of the trench frame 430. The one or more locking assemblies 450 may be fastened to the trench frame 430, for example with screws or other fasteners. As explained further below, the trench frame 430 may include one or more grooves 439 configured to receive a corresponding key 454 of a locking assembly 450.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrates exemplary details of a locking assembly 450. The locking assembly 450 is configured to prevent disengagement of the foil plate portion 440 without the use of any tools. The locking assembly 450 can include a frame 452 configured to support one or more locking keys 454 and actuators 456, 458. As illustrated, the locking keys 454 have a cylindrical form, but the locking keys 454 may take on any shape that projects from the frame 452. Although two locking keys 454 are illustrated, the locking assembly 450 may include a fewer or greater number of locking keys 454.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the frame 452 includes an interior space 451 configured to receive at least a portion of the actuators 456, 458. As illustrated, the actuators 456, 458 are sliders, but the actuators 456, 458 may take on other configurations such as buttons or switches. The frame 452 can include one or more slots 457, 459 to provide pathways for the sliding actuators 456, 458. For example, the frame 452 may include a pair of slots, a first slot 457 and a second slot 459, for each locking key 454. The first slots 457 may extend in a first direction (e.g., front-to-rear) to accommodate sliding of the first actuators 456. The second slots 459 may extend in a second direction (e.g. transverse) to accommodate sliding of the second actuators 458. The second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction. Each second slot 459 may intersect a first slot 457.

Each first actuator 456 can include an opening 453 configured to accommodate an end of a corresponding key 454 (see FIG. 10B). However, as shown in FIG. 10C, the opening 453 does not extend through a thickness of the first actuator 456. Accordingly, as the first actuator 456 moves in a forward direction along the first slot 457, the first actuator 456 pushes on a rear end of the corresponding key 454. A rear side of the first actuator 456 can interface with a front side of the corresponding second actuator 458. For example, the rear side of the first actuator 456 can include a concave profile 461 and the front side of the second actuator 458 can include a convex profile 445. When the locking assembly 450 is in a locked configuration, the front side of the second actuator 458 mates with the rear side of the first actuator 456.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary details of the adapter, universal U-Rail, or rail portion 442 of the foil attachment assembly 410. As shown in FIG. 11A, the rail section 442 may include parallel rail portions 442a, 442b configured to interface with parallel trench portions 434a, 434b in the trench frame 430 (FIG. 9A). As illustrated, the rail section 442 includes a transverse rail portion 442c connecting the parallel rail portions 442a, 442b to form a generally U-shaped rail section. The transverse trench portions 434c, 434d are configured to accommodate the transverse rail portion 442c to provide stability from forces transferred from the hydrofoil to the U-Rail 442. The transverse rail portion 442 provides additional stability to the rail section 442 compared to parallel rail portions 442a, 442b that are not interconnected.

A length of the rail section 442 may be adjusted to accommodate different sized plate sections 444 of a hydrofoil. For example, the rail section 442 can include an adjustable portion 443 configured to slide lengthwise relative to a remainder of the rail section 442. The adjustable portion 443 may slide along a guide structure 445 on the rail section 442. For example, the length of the rail section 442 may be adjusted using a dovetail slider.

As illustrated, the plate section 444 of a hydrofoil includes the same number of fastener portions, for example mounting holes 447, as the rail section 442. For example, the plate section 444 may include four plate mounting holes 447 (FIG. 11B) and the rail section 442 may include four mounting holes 449. Two of the rail mounting holes 449 may be disposed on the adjustable portion 443 of the rail section 442. In use, the adjustable portion 443 of the rail section 442 may slide back and forth until the four rail mounting holes 449 align with the four plate mounting holes 447. In other configurations, the rail section 442 may include a greater number of mounting holes 449 than the plate portion 444 to accommodate different sized plate portions 444.

As explained above, the rail section 442 may include one or more grooves for alignment and/or securement. For example, each parallel rail portion 442a, 442b may include two grooves 441a, 441b having similar or different profiles to accommodate alignment pins 431. As shown in FIG. 11D, each parallel rail portion 442a, 442b can have a first groove 441a at a front end of the rail portion 442a, 442b and a second groove 441b between the front end and the rear end of the rail portion 442a, 442b. The first groove 441a may be open to a front edge of the rail portion 442a, 442b. The second groove may 441b be open to a top edge of the rail portion 442a, 442b.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the foil plate portion 440 can include a plate section 444. The foil plate portion 440 may also include a connection portion 446 configured to attach to a mast of a hydrofoil. The connection portion 446 may project from the plate section 444. As illustrated, the connection portion 446 may include a curved profile, for example oval-shaped, to interface with a corresponding attachment feature on a mast. The plate section 444 is mechanically fastened to the rail section 442 by one or more locking screws or other fasteners 448, but in other configurations, the plate section 444 may be chemically fastened or integrally connected to the rail section 442. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, the adjustable portion 443 may slide along the guide 445 to fit (align with the fasteners 448) a longer foil plate section 444 (FIG. 11B) or to fit a shorter foil plate section 444 (FIG. 11C). In some embodiments, the U-Rail 442 is fixed and does not adjust.

FIG. 11D shows the foil plate 440 assembled to the universal U-Rail 442 ready for installation into the U-Trench 430. As is appreciated from the disclosure herein, with grooves 441 and 442, the adapter 442 is designed to slide vertical into cavities in the U-Trench over pins, then slide horizontally to lock out any vertical movement of the adapter 442 (shown in FIGS. 12A-12C).

FIGS. 12A-12F illustrate partial cutaways of the foil attachment assembly 410. The foil plate portion 440 and the trench frame 430 can include corresponding connection features to facilitate proper alignment and/or securement between the foil plate portion 440 with attached adapter 442 and the trench frame 430. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the trench frame 430 may include one or more pins 431a, 431b, 431c disposed within each parallel trench portion 434a, 434b. The one or more pins 431a, 431b, 431c may project outward from inner walls of the trench frame 430. As explained above, the foil plate portion 440 may include corresponding grooves 441a, 441b, for example on the rail section 442, configured to interface with the one or more pins 431a, 431b, 431c. However, in other configurations, the pins 431a, 431b, 431c may be disposed on the rail section 442 and the grooves 441a, 441b may be disposed within the trench frame 430. One or more of the grooves 441a, 441b may be shaped to capture a corresponding pin 431a, 431b, 431c and prevent disengagement of the foil plate portion 440 from the trench frame 430, for example in a detent configuration. Once the grooves 441a, 441b in the foil plate portion 440 are aligned within the pins 431a, 431b, 431c in the trench frame 430 (see FIG. 12B), the foil plate portion 440 may slide to capture the alignment pins 431a, 431b, 431c and prevent disengagement of the foil plate portion 440 from the trench frame 430.

The number of pins 431 in each trench portion 434a, 434b can be greater than the number of grooves 441 in each rail portion 442a, 442b to facilitate two or more installation positions. As shown in FIG. 12C, for a mid-position installation (see FIG. 8A), the adapter 442 may interface with the front set of pins, for example the front two pins 431a, 431b in each trench portion 434a, 434b. However, for an end-position installation (see FIG. 8B), the adapter 442 may interface with the rear set of pins, for example the rear two pins 431b, 431c in each trench portion 434a, 434b. Although only two installation positions are illustrated, additional pins 431 may be provided for additional installation positions.

As described above, the foil attachment assembly 410 may include one or more locking assemblies 450 to secure the foil plate portion 440 with attached adapter 442 to the trench frame 430. A combination of the above-described pins 431 and locking assemblies 450 prevents unintentional disengagement of the adapter 442.

Each installation position can have a separate locking assembly 450, but in other configurations, a single locking mechanism may be provided for all installation positions. Each key 454 of the locking assembly 450 is configured to mate with a corresponding locking features, for example hole 462, in the rail section 442 of the foil plate portion 440, for example on the transverse portion 442c of the rail section 442. Depending on the installation position of the foil plate portion 440 with attached adapter 442, the user may activate the actuators 456, 458 on the corresponding locking assembly 450 to lock the adapter 442 in position.

FIGS. 12D-12F illustrate operation of the locking assembly 450 corresponding to the mid-position installation. In use, a first actuator 456 is actuated to move a corresponding key 454 into a mated configuration with a corresponding hole 462 in the rail section 442. For example, sliding the first actuator 456 in the forward direction may cause the corresponding key 454 to move in the forward direction. As explained above, forward movement of the first actuator 456 leads to corresponding movement of the key 454. The first actuator 456 and/or the key 454 may be biased to an unmated position. Each key 454 may be moved by separate first actuators 456 or the same first actuator 456.

After the one or more keys 454 mate with the rail section 442 of the foil plate portion 440, a second actuator 458 may be actuated to prevent movement of a corresponding key 454 and/or first actuator 456 back to the unmated position and prevent disengagement of the foil plate portion 440. For example, sliding the second actuator 458 towards the key 454 blocks movement of the first actuator 456 back to the unmated position. The second actuator 458 may be configured to slide in a different direction than the first actuator. For example, the first actuator 456 may be configured to slide in an axial direction (e.g., front-to-rear direction), while the second actuator 458 may be configured to slide in a lateral direction (e.g., right-to-left direction). Each key 454 may be locked in place by separate second actuators 458 or the same second actuator. FIG. 12F illustrates the adapter 442 locked in the mid-position installation by the locking assembly 450.

Although certain embodiments have been described herein with respect to hydrofoil attachments, the systems described herein can be used to attach any component to a surfboard, for example to attach one or more fins to a surfboard.

As used herein, the terms “bottom” and “top” are defined from the perspective of the surfboard in use. Thus, bottom refers to the side closer to water in use.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that some embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, blocks, and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Although certain embodiments and examples have been described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of the systems shown and described in the present disclosure may be differently combined and/or modified to form still further embodiments or acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. A wide variety of designs and approaches are possible. No feature, structure, or step disclosed herein is essential or indispensable.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Further, the actions of the disclosed processes and methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering actions and/or inserting additional actions and/or deleting actions. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the claims and their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. A toolless attachment assembly configured to removably and securely attach a hydrofoil to a board configured for water sports, the hydrofoil including a mounting plate operably attached to a mast operably attached to one or more wings, the one or more wings configured to interact with water as the board moves to create lift, the attachment assembly comprising:

a trench frame including at least two elongated portions operably connected by a transverse portion to roughly form a U shape, the trench frame including cavities within the two elongated portions; and

at least one toolless locking assembly configured to removably and securely position the mounting plate of the hydrofoil with respect to the board.

2. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein an adapter comprises two rail portions and a transverse portion, each rail portion configured to slide within said cavities of said trench frame, said adapter including fastener portions aligned to fastener portions of the mounting plate of the hydrofoil.

3. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said adapter includes an adjustable portion configured to change the dimensions between at least some of the fastener portions of said adapter.

4. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one toolless locking assembly includes at least two toolless locking assemblies, a first locking assembly configured to removably and securely position the mounting plate in a first mid-position with respect to said board and a second locking assembly configured to removably and securely position the mounting plate in a second end-position with respect to said board.

5. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one toolless locking assembly comprises one or more user actuators configured to enable a user to secure a position of the mounting plate with respect to the board without any tools.

6. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one toolless locking assembly is disposed within the trench frame.

7. The attachment assembly of claim 1, comprising a housing, and wherein said trench frame and said at least one toolless locking assembly are mounted in the housing.

8. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said board comprises a surfboard.

9. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said board comprises one of a surfboard and a kite surfboard.

10. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein said board comprises one of a wakeboard, a wake surfboard, and an air chair.

11. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the trench frame comprises one or more alignment features configured to control a position of the mounting plate of the hydrofoil with respect to the board.

12. The attachment assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more alignment features are configured to prevent the mounting plate from decoupling from the trench frame.

13. An adapter configured to toollessly mechanically operate with an attachment assembly to removably and securely attach a hydrofoil to a board configured for water sports, the hydrofoil including a mounting plate, the adapter comprising:

two rail portions operably connected by a transverse portion to roughly form a U shape, each rail portion configured to slide within cavities of a trench frame having a roughly U shape and disposed within said board, said adapter including fastener portions configured to align with fastener portions of the mounting plate of the hydrofoil; and

an adjustable portion configured to change dimensions between at least some of the fastener portions of said adapter to cause said alignment.

14. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein the adjustable portion is configured to slide lengthwise relative to the two rail sections.

15. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein at least one of the fastener portions is disposed on the adjustable portion.

16. The adaptor of claim 13, wherein the two rail portions comprise one or more alignment features configured to interface with corresponding alignment features in the trench frame.

17. The adaptor of claim 16, wherein the alignment features are configured to prevent the adaptor from decoupling from the trench frame.

18. The adaptor of claim 13, further comprising one or more locking features configured interface with a locking assembly configured to securely position the adaptor with respect to the board.

19. The adaptor of claim 18, wherein the one or more locking features are disposed in the transverse portion.