The present invention relates generally to a fin assembly for a watersport board and more particularly to a fin assembly which is detachable from a watersport board.
Watersport boards such as wake boards, windsurfing boards, surfboards and the like include one or more fins configured to improve the stability and/or maneuverability of the board. A longer and wider fin increases the stability of the board but decreases the maximum speed of the board because of increased drag. Additionally, the optimal fin size and configuration varies according to the type, size and condition of the waves on a particular body of water.
Traditionally, fins are permanently attached to a watersport board. This design forces the user to own and transport multiple boards having different fin configurations so as to be able to take advantage of the optimal configurations for the current water conditions at a particular body of water. Permanently mounted fins also forces users to upgrade boards as their skills improve. For example, a board for a beginner may have a fin configuration designed to maximize board stability while a board for a more advanced user may have a fin configuration designed to maximize the speed and maneuverability of the board. Having to own multiple boards designed for different water conditions and having to upgrade boards multiple times as a user's abilities improve is inconvenient and expensive.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for customizable fin assemblies for watersport boards which eliminate the need for multiple boards suited to particular water conditions and/or user ability levels.
The invention is set forth in the claims below, and the following is not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection. In general terms, the present invention relates to a customizable fin assembly for a watersport board, as well as associated methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fin assembly for a watersport board comprising a fin cap, a fin base and one or more locking members. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fin cap is mounted to a fin base and the fin base is mounted to a watersport board. The fin cap, fin base and watersport board are locked together using one or more locking members.
Further objects, embodiments, forms, benefits, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from the description, drawings, and claims provided herein.
For the purposes of promoting understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
A fin assembly 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Continuing with the present example, fin cap 22 further includes at least one mounting socket 40, 42, 44. In this particular example, three mounting sockets 40, 42, 44 are shown for illustrative purposes only and fin caps having a different number of mounting sockets are also contemplated. Each mounting socket 40, 42, 44 includes a mounting socket opening 64, 66 and 68 in mounting surface 28 and a locking mechanism (not shown) corresponding to locking members 58, 60 and 62 as will be described in greater detail below. Preferably, fin cap 22 further includes one or more guide pin sockets 34, 36 and 38. In this particular example, fin cap 22 is shown with three guide pin sockets 34, 36 and 38 although fin caps having more, fewer or no guide pin sockets are also contemplated.
Fin base 24 includes at least one mounting channel 52, 54, 56 passing therethrough. In this particular example, fin base 24 is shown with three mounting channels 52, 54, 56 although fin bases having more or fewer mounting channels are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 24 has a mounting channel 52, 54, 56 corresponding to each mounting socket 40, 42, 44, respectively, of fin cap 22. Each mounting channel 52, 54, 56 includes a mounting channel opening 70, 72, 74 in first mounting surface 30 and a mounting channel opening 76, 78, 80 in second mounting surface 32. Preferably, fin base 24 further includes one or more guide pins 46, 48, 50 extending from first mounting surface 30. In this example, fin base 24 is shown with three guide pins 46, 48, 50 although fin bases having more, fewer or no guide pins are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 24 has a guide pin 46, 48, 50 corresponding to each guide pin socket 34, 36, 38, respectively, on fin cap 22 and each guide pin 46, 48, 50 is sized and configured to fit securely in corresponding guide pin socket 34, 36, 38.
Three locking members 58, 60, 62 are shown in this particular example, although fin assemblies including more or fewer locking members are also contemplated. Preferably, fin assembly 20 includes one locking member 58, 60, 62 corresponding to each mounting socket 40, 42, 44, respectively, of fin cap 22. Locking members 58, 60, 62 are shown in
Continuing with the present example, fin cap 120 further includes at least one mounting socket 142, 158, 156. In this particular example, three mounting sockets 142, 158, 156 are shown for illustrative purposes. Each mounting socket 142, 158, 156 includes a mounting socket opening 168, 170, 172 in mounting surface 130 and a locking mechanism 144 (
Fin base 122 includes at least one mounting channel 154, 160, 162 passing therethrough. In this particular example, fin base 122 is shown with three mounting channels 154, 160, 162 although fin bases having more or fewer mounting channels are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 122 has a mounting channel 154, 160, 162 corresponding to each mounting socket 142, 158, 156, respectively, of fin cap 120. Each mounting channel 154, 160, 162 includes a mounting channel opening 174, 176, 178 in first mounting surface 132 and a mounting channel opening 180, 181, 182 in second mounting surface 138. Preferably, fin base 122 further includes one or more guide pins 196, 198, 200 extending from first mounting surface 132. In this example, fin base 122 is shown with three guide pins 196, 198, 200 although fin bases having more, fewer or no guide pins are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 122 has a guide pin 196, 198, 200 corresponding to each guide pin socket 190, 192, 194, respectively, on fin cap 120 and each guide pin 196, 198, 200 is sized and configured to fit securely in the corresponding guide pin socket 190, 192, 194. Fin base 122 also preferably further includes one or more guide pin sockets 202, 204, 206 in second mounting surface 138. In this particular example, fin base 122 is shown with three guide pin sockets 202, 204, 206 although fin bases having more, fewer or no guide pin sockets are also contemplated.
Wakeboard 116 may optionally include at least one mounting channel 152, 164, 166 passing therethrough, a fin assembly mounting surface 140 and at least one mounting slot 148. Each mounting channel 152, 164, 166 includes a mounting channel opening 184, 186, 188 in fin assembly mounting surface 140 and a mounting channel opening 153, 165, 167 in mounting slot 148. Preferably, at least one mounting slot 148 includes a slot base 150. Preferably, wakeboard 116 includes a mounting channel 152, 164, 166 corresponding to each mounting channel 154, 160, 162, respectively, in fin base 122. Preferably, wakeboard 116 further includes one or more guide pins 208, 210, 212 extending from fin assembly mounting surface 140. In this example, wakeboard 116 is shown with three guide pins 208, 210, 212 although wakeboards having more, fewer or no guide pins are also contemplated. Preferably, wakeboard 116 has a guide pin 208, 210, 212 corresponding to each guide pin socket 202, 204, 206, respectively, on fin base 122 second mounting surface 138 and each guide pin 208, 210, 212 is sized and configured to fit securely in the corresponding guide pin socket 202, 204, 206.
Three locking members 146, 214, 216 are shown in this particular example, although fin assemblies including more or fewer locking members are also contemplated. Preferably, fin assembly 118 includes one locking member 146, 214, 216 corresponding to each mounting socket 142, 156, 158, respectively of fin cap 120. Locking members 146, 214, 216 are shown in
Surfaces 126 and 134 preferably form a continuous surface 131 when fin cap 120, fin base 122 and wakeboard 116 are engaged as seen in
Optionally, a user may replace one fin assembly with another fin assembly as desired to achieve different performance characteristics for a particular water sport board. For example, smaller, thinner fin assemblies generally work well in calmer water conditions while larger, wider fin assemblies provide increased stability in rough water. Alternatively, fin base 122 may be removed and a fin base (not shown) according to another embodiment of the present invention disposed between fin cap 120 and water sport board 116 thereby giving board 116 different performance characteristics.
Optionally, a removable cover or cap (not shown) covers mounting slot 148 when wakeboard 116 is in use and is removed when reconfiguring fin assembly 118 as is described in greater detail below. Optionally, fin base 122 is removed and fin cap 120 is mounted directly to wakeboard 116 using at least one of a second locking member 256, 258, 260 (
Continuing with the present example, wakeboard 222 further includes at least one guide pin socket 250, 252, 254 in fin assembly mounting surface 230. Wakeboard 222 is shown with three guide pin sockets 250, 252, 254 in this example, although wakeboards having more, fewer or no guide pin sockets are also contemplated. Fin base 220 further includes at least one guide pin 244, 246, 248 extending from second mounting surface 228. Fin base 220 is shown with three guide pins 244, 246, 248 in this example, although fin bases having more, fewer or no guide pins are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 220 has a guide pin 244, 246, 248 corresponding to each guide pin socket 250, 252, 254, respectively, on wakeboard 222 and each guide pin 244, 246, 248 is sized and configured to fit securely in the corresponding guide pin socket 250, 252, 254.
Continuing with the present example, wakeboard 402 further includes at least one guide pin socket 436, 438, 440 in fin assembly mounting surface 422. Wakeboard 402 is shown with three guide pin sockets 436, 438, 440 in this example, although wakeboards having more, fewer or no guide pin sockets are also contemplated. Fin base 410 further includes at least one guide pin 442, 444, 446 extending from second mounting surface 414. Fin base 410 is shown with three guide pins 442, 444, 446 in this example, although fin bases having more, fewer or no guide pins are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 410 has a guide pin 442, 444, 446 corresponding to each guide pin socket 436, 438, 440, respectively, on wakeboard 402 and each guide pin 442, 444, 446 is sized and configured to fit securely in the corresponding guide pin socket 436, 438, 440.
Continuing with the present example, fin cap 404 further includes at least one board mounting socket 448. In this particular example, one board mounting socket 448, is shown for illustrative purposes. Each board mounting socket 448 includes a mounting socket opening 450 in mounting surface 408 and a locking mechanism 452 corresponding to board locking member 416 as will be described in greater detail below. Fin cap 404 further includes at least one fin mounting socket 454, 456. Each fin mounting socket 454, 456 includes a mounting socket opening 458, 460 in mounting surface 408 and a locking mechanism 462, 464 corresponding to locking members 418, 420 as will be described in greater detail below.
Fin base 410 includes at least one fin mounting channel 466, 468 passing therethrough. In this particular example, fin base 410 is shown with two fin mounting channels 466, 468 although fin bases having more or fewer fin mounting channels are also contemplated. Preferably, fin base 410 has a fin mounting channel 466,468 corresponding to each fin mounting socket 454, 456, respectively, of fin cap 404. Each fin mounting channel 466, 468 includes a mounting channel opening 470, 472 in first mounting surface 412 and a mounting channel opening 474, 476 in second mounting surface 414. Fin base 410 further includes at least one board mounting channel 478. In this particular example, board mounting channel 478 includes a mounting channel opening 480 in first mounting surface 412 and a mounting channel opening 482 in second mounting surface 414. In other examples of the present invention, board mounting channel 478 includes a mounting channel opening in second mounting surface 414 and a closed end (not shown) at first mounting surface 412.
Wakeboard 402 may optionally include at least one assembly mounting channel 484 passing therethrough, a fin assembly mounting surface 422 and a top surface 490. Each mounting channel 484 includes a mounting channel opening 488 in fin assembly mounting surface 422 and a mounting channel opening 486 in top surface 490. Preferably, wakeboard 402 includes a mounting channel 484 corresponding to each board channel 478 in fin base 410.
Three locking members 416, 418, 420 are shown in this particular example, although fin assemblies including more or fewer locking members are also contemplated. Preferably, fin assembly 400 includes one board locking member 416 corresponding to each board mounting channel 484 of wakeboard 402. Also, fin assembly 400 preferably further includes one fin locking member 418, 420 corresponding to each fin mounting socket 466, 468 of fin base 410. In one embodiment of the present invention, fin locking members 418, 420 are sized and configured so at least a portion of locking members 418420 pass through fin channel 472, 470, respectively, and are lockable in fin socket 456, 454, respectively, when fin cap 404 is engaged with fin base 410. Board locking member 416 is sized and configured so at least a portion of locking member 416 passes through board channel 484 and is lockable in base socket 478 when fin base 410 is engaged with wakeboard 402. Preferably, locking member 416 is sized and configured so that at least a portion of locking member 416 passes through board channel 484 and is lockable in board mounting socket 448 when fin cap 404 is mounted to wakeboard 402 without fin base 410.
Locking members 416, 418, 420 are shown as screws for illustrative purposes only. Other suitable locking members such as bolts, bayonet-type fasteners, snap-fit, dovetail slide, straight slide, top load and lock and the like are also contemplated for the fin cap, fin base, or both. Preferably, mounting sockets 454, 456 include a locking mechanism 464, 462, respectively, suitable for locking members 418, 420. Also, mounting channel 478 and mounting socket 448 include a locking mechanism suitable for locking member 416.
The use of fin assembly 118 as shown in
First, mounting socket openings 168, 170 and 172 are aligned with corresponding mounting channel openings 174, 176 and 178, respectively. Optionally, alignment is ensured by first engaging guide pins 196, 198 and 200 with guide pin sockets 190, 192 and 194, respectively, such as in the present example. Next, mounting channel openings 180, 181 and 182 are aligned with corresponding mounting channel openings 184, 186 and 188. Optionally, alignment is ensured by first engaging guide pins 208, 210 and 212 with guide pin sockets 202, 204 and 206, respectively, such as in the present example. Finally, fin assembly 118 is secured to wakeboard 116 by inserting locking members 146, 214, 216 through mounting channels 152, 164, 166 and 154, 160, 162 and into mounting sockets 142, 156, 158, respectively, and locking locking members 146, 214, 216 in mounting sockets 142, 156, 158, respectively. Optionally, a cover or cap (not shown) is placed over mounting slot 148 to prevent the user from contacting and potentially inadvertently unlocking locking members 146, 214, 216 during use of wakeboard 116.
To reconfigure fin assembly 118 and wakeboard 116 from the configuration shown in
Fin assemblies according to the present invention as previously described allow watersport board users to transport a single board to a body of water and then configure and reconfigure fin assemblies as desired to suit current water conditions. Fin assemblies according to the present invention also allow board users to configure a single board to suit the skill levels of various users of differing abilities.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the inventions disclosed are desired to be protected. The articles “a”, “an”, “said” and “the” are not limited to a singular element, and include one or more such elements.