Abstract:
A fin shaped and sized to connect to a leash so that the leash is securely stored during transport or storage. In an embodiment, a leash may be wrapped about a board and a portion thereof connected to connecting means formed about a fin, not limited to a notch, a hole, or combinations thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the field of water type vessels. In particular, the invention may pertain to recreation vessels that include leveling means, such as a fin, and use a tether. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Surfing and body boarding are well-known water sports that consist essentially of a vessel (i.e., board) that has an upper surface that may support things not limited to a rider; and a lower surface that comprises a leveling and or steering device such as a fin used to provide balance and steering when propelled for example, by a motor, current, swell, wave, etc. 
         [0003]    In some instances, a tether (leash) may be used to connect things to a board so that should the two separate, neither could exceed a distance greater than the length of the leash for example. Therefore, the use of a leash has become a popular addition to many boards (including but not limited to any vessel including a surfboard, body board, boogie board, wind surfing board, boat, or other similar applications that comprise a leveling device and incidence of separation that may include retrieval). 
         [0004]    The length of a tether may vary depending on the vessel being used. When regarding surfboards, it may be typical for the length of a leash to be approximately the length of the board to which it applies. Generally, the leash has a first end that originates at an area on or above an upper surface of a board and a second end that comprises means to connect to a rider, either directly or indirectly. 
         [0005]    When a vessel is not in use, being transported, stored, or otherwise not requiring a leash, the leash may be stored about the vessel. For example, a leash may be looped and or winded about a board with a second end anchored to a portion of the leash or looped around a fin. Loops currently available are not designed to properly secure to its leash or fin. As a result, it is not uncommon for a stored leash to become undone. 
         [0006]    The following are some examples that provide attempts to secure a leash, and include, 
         [0007]    Publication No. US 20120305725 (Dacow) is for a Leash Anchor and Board Incorporating Same. In FIGS. 25A-25F Dacow discloses how a slit may be formed in the actual body of the board that is designed to particularly capture a support strap 200 within notch 710. Dacow at paragraph [0038]. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,532 (Snyder) is for a Clip for Surfboard Leash. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a clip is attached to a portion of a leash with a notch formed thereon, which is capable of connecting to a portion of the leash when wrapped around a board. The clip is removeable (Snyder at col. 3, lines 3-7). 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,270 (Hanson et al.) is for a Surfboard Leash Retainer. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the invention is for a clip retainer that is attached to the forward end of a surfboard and retains the second end (i.e., “distal or surfer ankle attachment) when being transported (Hanson et al. at col. 1, lines 35-40). 
         [0010]    Because the references require altering the appearance of the board (Dacow) or addition of retaining pieces (Snyder and Hanson et al.) there is a need in the art for improved means to secure a leash to a board that overcomes the current obstacles. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the invention to provide means to connect a tether to a vessel when a tether is not in use. 
         [0012]    An embodiment of the invention includes a vessel having at least one leveling and or steering device shaped and sized to connect to a portion of a tether. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment where the vessel may include a board, such as a surfboard or body board, or the like, wherein a vessel has at least one fin disposed about an underside, said fin may be shaped and sized so it can releaseably connect to a tether (i.e., leash). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings that show: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tether. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a fin according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a right side, perspective view of an embodiment of the instant invention showing the lower surface (i.e., underside) of a board having a leash wrapped thereto, with said leash connected to a posterior edge of a fin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the embodiment in  FIG. 3  showing an upper surface of a board. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention includes an embodiment comprising a vessel  20  having at least one fin  30  that is shaped and sized to releaseably connect to a tether  10 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a tether  10  may essentially comprise of cord or other similar type of connection means, not limited to a chain, rope, string, cable, wire or other known means in the art that may consist of material that allows said cord to embody resiliency or rigidness, depending on vessel type, use, or need of a user. In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , tether  10  has a first portion  60  that comprises means to couple and or connects to a vessel  20  (such as a ship, a boat, a board, a surfboard, a kite board, a body board, a boogie board, a wind surf board, a paddle board or other type of devices that may incorporate use of a tether  10 ) and a second portion  40  which comprises means, for example a strap  50 , that is capable of securing to objects and or things such as a component of a boat (like a sail), a person, game, and or bait, for example. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  provides an embodiment of a leveling and or steering device  30  that comprises means  70  capable of retaining a tether  10  for a period of time. In an embodiment, the leveling and or steering device may consist essentially of a fin as shown. The particular shape and size of fins are generally well-known in the art, and may be shaped and sized to conform to specific requirements or needs of a rider or operator which may also depend on the type of vessel used. As shown, fin  30  may be selectively removable, mendable or permanent and may include any protrusion disposed about an underside of a vessel  20 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , means  70  may be disposed about the base of fin  30  along a posterior edge and is shaped and sized to restrain, secure, or connect to a tether  10 . Means  70  may include a notch, slit or other known frictional means and may be selectively disposed at a location anywhere about fin  30 , not limited to an edge. Furthermore, a leveling and or steering device  30  may comprise more than one means  70  disposed thereto. For example, in an embodiment when the vessel  20  is a board, and leash  10  may be wrapped about a rear edge of said board  20 , depending on where the second portion  40  of said leash  10  is located based on the wrap—or if a leash is replaced and the size or resiliency is different—it may be desirable to connect the leash to an anterior edge in one instance or the posterior edge in another. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, a hole (not shown) is formed through fin  30 , wherein said tether  10  is threaded there through and retained by frictional means disposed about an edge of said hole, not limited to a notch or slit. Additionally, it is an embodiment of the invention that when said fin  30  comprises a hole (not shown) as means  70 , said tether  10  may comprise complimentary means disposed about the second portion  40  for example, such that it may connect to said hole formed within said fin  30  in a method or fashion commonly known as a toggle and or hook-and-eye connection (see for example, FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,471 incorporated herein). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the invention when vessel  20  is a surfboard that is not in use, being transported, stored, or otherwise not requiring a leash, whereby the leash may be stored about the board. As shown, vessel  20  has one fin  30  however is an embodiment of the invention that a vessel  20  may comprise more than one fin  30  and or more than one fin  30  that may connect to a tether  10 . As shown, tether (leash)  10  is wrapped about the rear of surfboard  20  and the second portion  40  of the leash  10  connects to fin  30 . As shown, means  50  is connected to said tether  10  and may include an adjustable band, for example, used to connect the vessel  20  to something. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the embodiment in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing first portion  60  of leash  10  connected to the upper surface of board  20 , about the rear of said board. As shown, leash  10  is wrapped about board  20  in a stored manner. The location of first portion  60  is not limited to an upper surface of a board, as it is understood that a tether  10  may originate and or secure to a board, ship or other type of vessel or device at other areas depending on design, use, etc. 
         [0026]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.