Abstract:
The invention relates to a connection between a fin (skeg) or daggerboard for a vessel and a vessel, in particular a sailboard or aquafoil, such as a kite board, windsurfing board, surf board, body board, wake board or water ski, which sailboard is provided with a fin box, whereby the fin box is provided with first fastening means, and whereby the fin is provided with second fastening means that co-operate with the first fastening means of the fin box upon engagement therewith. The first fastening means and the second fastening means are embodied such that they form a releasable cantilever snap fit upon engagement with each other. The snap fit is releasable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is an U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 based upon co-pending International Application No. PCT/NL2009/000121 filed on May 22, 2009. Additionally, this U.S. national phase application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending International Application No. PCT/NL2009/000121 filed on May 22, 2009, and Netherland Application No. 1035464 filed on May 23, 2008. The entire disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. The international application was published on Nov. 26, 2009 under Publication No. WO 2009/142479. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fin system or connection between a fin (skeg) or daggerboard for a vessel and a vessel, in particular a sailboard or aquafoil, such as a kite board, windsurfing board, surf board, body board, wake board or water ski. The invention also relates to a fin and a fin box (well) suitable for use with the fin system according to the invention. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Although the invention has a broad application, it will be referred hereinafter in short to a fin system and to its application relating to a surf board. 
     Such fin systems are known in different forms in practice. One form is as follows. A surf board is provided with a mounting box, also known as a fin box or well, sunken in the board at the position where a fin that is to be mounted is to be inserted substantially perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the surf board lying in the water. The fin box is provided locally with first fastening means, such as bore holes, screw holes and suchlike, with which by means of engagement with second fastening means, such as bolts, screws, plugs and suchlike, which a fin has been provided with, the fin can be connected to the fin box and therewith to the surfboard. 
     A fin serves for compensating the lateral force that in most faring directions is exerted on a surfboard. As a result of this lateral force, were a fin not to be present, the surfboard would not move in the desired direction, with the exception of faring downwind. 
     The fin will, however, not only provide the desired compensation with respect to the lateral force and directional stability, but also give rise to a certain drag, which must be as small as possible. A fin is therefore designed with regard to optimum hydrodynamic performance within a given set of conditions. When conditions change, for example when higher waves occur, in which a certain fin does not perform optimally, then a need for a different type of fin arises. In practice, a fin is then replaced by a different type of fin, the choice of which is dependent of the desired faring properties. 
     Also, wear of a different type of erosion of the connection of a fin with the board, or damage to the fin itself, give rise to replacement of the fin. Transportation of a board also forms a reason for removal of a fin. 
     Since known fins are often connected to surfboards by means of bolts, screws, plugs and suchlike, mounting and removal of the fin are time-consuming. Moreover, hand-held tools are required for mounting and release. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a fin system which can be both formed as well as released as quickly as possible. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fin system which can be formed and released with mountable and releasable means that are as simple as possible. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fin system with a working that is as optimum as possible when applied in different faring conditions. 
     According to the invention, a fin system or connection between a fin (skeg) or daggerboard for a vessel and a vessel, in particular a sailboard or aquafoil, such as a kite board, windsurfing board, surf board, body board, wake board or water ski, which sailboard is provided with a fin box, whereby the fin box is provided with first fastening means, and whereby the fin is provided with second fastening means that co-operate with the first fastening means of the fin box upon engagement therewith, characterized in that the first fastening means and the second fastening means are embodied such that they form a cantilever snap fit upon engagement with each other. 
     An advantage of this technical feature is that no tool is any longer required for creating the fin system. 
     Another advantage is that the fin system can be made with narrow tolerances by which a high degree of fit can be achieved. 
     Preferably, the fin connection or snap fit according to the invention is releasable. An advantage of this is that the connection can be used several times. Another advantage is that a fin can be replaced quickly and easily. 
     Preferably, in the snap fit the first fastening means of the fin box comprise a functional hook and the second fastening means of the fin comprise a receptacle suitable for receiving the functional hook. An advantage of this is that the means for letting the functional hook retract back from the functional hook when releasing the snap fit can be incorporated in the first fastening means themselves. By this the means for retracting the functional hook can be made more robust then when the means for letting the functional hook retract are to be incorporated in the second fastening means of the (removable) fin. 
     Preferably, the first fastening means are removable in a fin box that is suitable for use with a fin system according to the invention. The advantage hereof is that when the functional hook has worn out after long and multiple use, it can be replaced quickly and easily so that a good connection of a fin to the sailboard can be ensured once again. The components of the first fastening means may hereby comprise different materials, such as for example plastics and (resilient) steel. 
     It is advantageous with regard to production to embody the first fastening means as a unitary entity. It is advantageous with regard to replacement to embody the first fastening means as a multi-part entity. 
     Preferably, the first fastening means of a fin box according to the invention comprise a number of ribs and receptacles that are suitable for co-operation with corresponding receptacles and ribs of a fin that is to be received in the fin box. The advantage hereof is that the fin system that is created becomes so robust that it is resistant to lateral forces, torsion forces and suchlike which are exerted on the fin during use. 
     Preferably, the first fastening means of a fin box according to the invention comprise a space in which a part of the functional hook can retract when releasing the fin system. The advantage hereof is that the functional hook of the fin box and its corresponding receptacle of the fin can be separated from each other quickly and without the use of much force. 
     Preferably, the space in which a part of the functional hook can retract when releasing the fin system comprises a stop for limiting the degree of retraction of the functional hook. The advantage hereof is that the functional hook does not deform too much so that it can be used for a long time. 
     Preferably, the first fastening means of a fin box according to the invention comprise auxiliary means for enhancing the retraction of the functional hook when releasing the snap fit. The advantage hereof is that the functional hook of the fin box and its corresponding receptacle of the fin can be separated from each other quickly and without the use of much force. The auxiliary means can be a spring, for example. A part of the first fastening means can be embodied in a C-shape or U-shape so that this part can compress when a part of the functional hook retracts when releasing the fin system. The compressible part can then be considered to embody the enhancing function of the intended auxiliary means. 
     Preferably, the functional hook of the first fastening means of a fin box according to the invention comprises a beveled plane at its side that is received in the second fastening means during engagement. The advantage hereof is that the snap fit can be easily formed and released. 
     Preferably, the first fastening means of a fin box of the snap fit a beveled plane there where it comes into contact with the upper edge of the fin box when being received in the fin box. The advantage hereof is that the beveled plane eases the compression of the first fastening means. 
     Preferably, in a fin that is suitable for use with a fin system according to the invention, the receptacle in the second fastening means for receiving the functional hook comprises a beveled plane at its side that comes into contact with the functional hook during engagement. The advantage hereof is that the snap fit can be easily formed and released. 
     Preferably, the receptacle extends at least across a part of the breadth of the fin. The advantage hereof is that the functional hook which is to be received in the receptacle can then be of limited breadth. 
     Preferably, the receptacle extends substantially horizontally. The advantage hereof is that the receptacle can be formed just above the footing of the fin and when forming the fin system the receptacle together with the footing can be received in a sunken manner in the fin box. 
     Preferably, a fin that is suitable for use with a fin system according to the invention comprises a single footing. This is advantageous with regard to the ease of use. 
     Preferably, the second fastening means of a fin according to the invention comprise a number of ribs and receptacles that are suitable for co-operation with corresponding receptacles and ribs of a fin box in which the fin is to be received. The advantage hereof is that during co-operation the fin system that is created becomes so robust that it is resistant to lateral forces, torsion forces and suchlike which are exerted on the fin during use. 
     Preferably, a fin box and a fin that are suitable for use with a fin system according to the invention comprise a number of co-operating ribs and corresponding receptacles, such that the fin can be connected to the fin box at more than one position relative to the fin box and thus (relative) to the sailboard. This has the advantage that a fin can be (re)positioned quickly and easily in response to changing faring conditions. 
     Preferably, a fin box that is suitable for use with the fin system according to the invention is provided with an auxiliary means or adapter with which also fins other than a fin according to the invention, such as for example a fin with more than one separate footings, can be connected to the fin box, whereby the auxiliary means or adapter comprises one or more of the described technical functional features of a fin according to the invention, such that different types of fins can also be connected to the fin box by means of the fin system according to the invention. The auxiliary means or adapter is preferably releasable. 
     Further aspects and advantages of the invention will be mentioned and elucidated in the description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention shall now be further elucidated by examples of embodiments that are shown in the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C depict perspective views of a fin according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts a view of an example of a fin box according to the invention, as seen in a direction in which a fin is to be received in the fin box; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the first fastening means embodied in the form of a unitary component that comprises inter alia a functional hook for the purpose of forming a fin system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a part of the first fastening means of the fin box according to the invention in a multi-part embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of another part of the first fastening means of the fin box according to the invention in a multi-part embodiment, whereby the parts according to  FIGS. 4 and 5  co-operate with each other for forming the first fastening means; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the relative positions of a fin box according to  FIG. 2  and the first fastening means according to  FIG. 3  with respect to each other in a state preceding assembly; 
         FIGS. 7-10  schematically depict a number of views of states of assembly of the fin box according to  FIG. 2  and the multi-part embodiment of the first fastening means according to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of a state of assembly of the fin box according to  FIG. 2  and the unitary embodiment of the first fastening means according to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an assembly of the fin box according to  FIG. 2  and the multi-part embodiment of the first fastening means according to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and a fin according to  FIG. 1  that is to be received in the assembly; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a perspective view of the result after assembly of the various parts according to  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a perspective view of the assembly according to  FIG. 13  when the whole has been taken up in a sailboard; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a cross-sectional view of the connection between the fin box and the fin according to  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  schematically depicts a view of two positions of the inter-connected fin box and fin according to  FIGS. 13 and 15  relative to a sailboard; 
         FIG. 17  depicts a perspective view of an auxiliary means or adapter according to the invention; 
         FIG. 18  depicts another perspective view of the adapter according to the invention; 
         FIG. 19  depicts a view of the positioning of the adapter relative to the fin box according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 20  depicts views of the position of a fin according to the prior art relative to the adapter and the fin box according to the invention in two states of assembly. 
         FIG. 21A  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment fin box according to the invention. 
         FIG. 21B  depicts a top view of the alternate embodiment fin box according to the invention in mirrored positions. 
         FIG. 22  depicts views of the position of an alternate embodiment fin relative to the alternate embodiment fin box according to the invention in three states of assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A fin according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 1A . This fin  10  comprises a front rib  12 , a rear rib  12 , a pair of sides  16  and  18 , a point  20  and a footing  22 . The sides of the fin are streamlined. The fin according to the invention can best be formed from a piece of plastic or suchlike. Views of both sides of the footing of the fin are depicted in  FIGS. 1B and 1C . 
     The end of the fin  10  near the footing  22  is substantially linear. When the fin is received in a fin box of a sailboard, the footing  22  of the fin  10  comes to lie completely sunken in the fin box so that a substantially closed surface is formed at the bottom of the sailboard. 
     The footing  22  comprises at least one channel  26  which extends substantially horizontally across at least a part of the length of the footing  22 . The channel  26  forms part of the second fastening means of the fin according to the invention. This channel  26  serves the purpose of co-operating with and receiving herein of, at least a part of, a complementarily formed rib that is comprised in the first fastening means of a fin box in which the fin  10  is to be received and releasably fastened. At least one side of the channel  26  is beveled for enhancing the formation and release of the fin system in co-operation with the first fastening means of a fin box. 
     The footing  22  of the fin  10  further comprises various ribs  28 A and receptacles  28 B which serve for a tight-fitting co-operation in complementarily formed receptacles and ribs, respectively, of the first fastening means of a fin box. When engaging with each other, these ribs and receptacles provide strength to the connection which arises between the second fastening means of the fin and the first fastening means of the fin box. In the example that is depicted these ribs  28 A and receptacles  28 B are orientated substantially vertically. 
     In  FIG. 2  a fin box  30  is depicted which is suitable for receiving a fin according the invention therein. The fin box  30  can be seen in a top view, that is to say, when the fin box is taken up in a sailboard as seen in the depicted orientation, then one can see the underside or bottom of the sailboard. The fin box  30  comprises a number of first receptacles  32 A that are formed complementarily with respect to the ribs  28 A of the fin and a number of first ribs  32 B that are formed complementarily with respect to the receptacles  28 B of the fin, second receptacles  34  and a third receptacle  36 . Fourth receptacles  38 A and  38 B are formed on either side of the third receptacle  36  which are partly separated from the third receptacle  36 . The fourth receptacles  38 A and  38 B serve the purpose of receiving therein a footing of a fin or an auxiliary means or adapter. These receptacles  32 A, ribs  32 B, ribs  34 , receptacle  36  and receptacles  38 A and  38 B form part of the first fastening means of the fin box  30 . The functions of the receptacles  32 A, ribs  32 B, ribs  34 , receptacle  36  and receptacles  38 A and  38 B will be described later. 
     The first fastening means of a fin box according to the invention are depicted in a perspective view in  FIG. 3 . The first fastening means are embodied in the form of a unitary part  40 . The part  40  comprises a functional hook H and compressible or resilient means  44 . Means  44  serve the purpose of allowing the functional hook H to retract from a state of engagement with the second fastening means of a fin according to the invention. The hook H comprises a rib  42 . This rib  42  preferably comprises a beveled plane so that the hook H can easily be brought into and out of a state of engagement with the second fastening means of a fin. Means  44  preferably comprise a beveled plane  41  there where when being received in the fin box it comes into contact with the upper edge of the fin box. The beveled plane  41  makes the compression of means  44  easy. The unitary part  40  also comprises a number of notches  46  of which only one is depicted here. In the depicted orientation the unitary part  40  can be received in whole in the receptacle  36  of the fin box in the orientation according to  FIG. 2 . When taken up, the notches  46  of the unitary part  40  co-operate with the receptacles  34  of the fin box for forming a connection between the two. 
     A functional hook H that is formed as separate from compressible means  44  is depicted in  FIG. 4 . In this example of an embodiment the functional hook also comprises notches  46  which have the same function as the one described above in relation to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Compressible or resilient means  44  that are formed as separate from a functional hook are shown in  FIG. 5 . In the depicted view the means  44  lie below the plane of drawing. A number of notches  48  can also be seen of which the function will be described later. 
     It shall be clear that in both embodiments of the first fastening means the resilient properties thereof are such that in a state of engagement with the functional hook H and the receptacle  26  of the fin that co-operates with it, the functional hook is pressed into the receptacle and the beveled plane  41  at its top side is pressed against the upper edge of the fin box. In this manner the fin system is secured and the means  44  together the fin box surrounding these means form a substantially closed surface. The advantage hereof is that during use there is as little disturbance of the flow pattern of water locally at the fin connection as is possible. 
     It shall be clear that the resilient properties of the first fastening means are such that in a state in which the first fastening means have been received in the fin box but a fin has not yet been received therein, the beveled plane  41  at its top side is pressed against the upper edge of the fin box. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the relative positions of a fin box according to  FIG. 2  and the first fastening means according to  FIG. 3  with respect to each other in a state preceding assembly. Means  47  serve as a stop for limiting the degree in which the compressible or resilient means  44  can retract in the space  49  from the state of engagement with the second fastening means of a fin. In the plane of drawing the first fastening means that are depicted can be brought in the fin box from below. The first fastening means can just as well be designed by the skilled person in the art such that these means can be brought in the fin box from above. 
       FIGS. 7-10  depict a number of states of assembly of the separately formed functional hook H and compressible or resilient means  44  with the fin box  30  also being shown. 
     In  FIG. 7  the fin box  30  is depicted in a view as seen from below, that is to say, the fin box  30  can be seen at its underside which when received in the sailboard is visible from the top side of the sailboard. It shall be clear that when taken up the underside of the fin box  30  will lie flush with the top side of the sailboard. A number of receptacles of the depicted functional hook H can be seen of which the function will be described later. 
     In  FIG. 8  the functional hook H is depicted in its state when it has been taken up in whole in the fin box  30 . In this orientation the receptacles  46  of the functional hook  46  are flush with the underside of the fin box  30 . 
     In  FIG. 9  separately formed compressible or resilient means  44  are depicted in an orientation whereby these are to be assembled with the functional hook H and fin box that have already been assembled together. When assembling the compressible or resilient means  44  in the hollow space  36  of the fin box  30  in which the functional hook H has already been taken up, the notches  50  of the compressible or resilient means  44  co-operate with the receptacles  48  of the functional hook H. 
     In  FIG. 10  the result of assembly of the compressible or resilient means  44  with the already assembled functional hook H and fin box  30  is shown. The top surface of the compressible or resilient means  44 , the notches  46  and the underside of the fin box  30  thereby lie in substantially one plane. 
     In  FIG. 11 , as a comparison with the result according to  FIG. 10 , the result of assembly of the unitary formed first fastening means according to  FIG. 3  in the fin box according to  FIG. 2  is shown. 
     In  FIG. 12  the orientations of a fin  10  and a fin box  30  relative to each other are shown. In  FIG. 13  the fin  10  and the fin box  30  according to  FIG. 12  are depicted whereby the fin  10  has been taken up in part in the fin box  30 . In  FIG. 14  the assembly of the fin  10  and fin box is depicted, whereby the fin box  30  has been taken up in the underside or bottom of a sailboard (which is schematically indicated as B) and the footing  22  of the fin  10  in turn has been taken up in whole in the fin box  30 . 
     In  FIG. 15  a cross-sectional view of the fin system according to the invention is depicted. The engagement of the functional hook H (first fastening means) of the fin box  30  with the channel  26  (second fastening means) of the fin  10  can be seen in detail. The channel  26  has at least one beveled plane  27  for the purpose of easing the retraction of the functional hook H from engagement with the channel  26 . 
     In  FIG. 16  two positions in which a fin  10  can be received in a fin box  30  are schematically depicted. After being taken up in a sailboard, the fin box  30  has a fixed position; by making the fin  10  adjustable relative to the fin box, a possibility arises of adjusting the fin  10  in the length-wise direction with respect to the sailboard. It shall be clear that the number of different positions in which a fin can be taken up in the fin box is not limited. 
     In  FIG. 17  a perspective view of an auxiliary means or adapter according to the invention is shown. This adapter is merely one of the many examples that are imaginable for taking up known types of fin, which fins have a different shape than the fin according to the invention, in a fin box according to the invention and fastening the known types of fin releasably in there. The use of the adapter according to the invention will be described later in conjunction with  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 . The adapter  70  is provided with third fastening means, which comprise inter alia substantially vertically orientated notches  72 , a receptacle  74 , a substantially horizontally extending channel  76 —which channel comprises a substantially upright wall  80  and a substantially flatly extending bottom  82 —and a vertical side wall  84  that substantially faces away from the side of the receptacle. The part of the adapter  70  around the receptacle  74  forms a footing  78  of the adapter  74 . 
     In  FIG. 18  another perspective view of the auxiliary means or adapter according to the invention is depicted. 
     In  FIG. 19  the positions of an adapter and a fin box according to the invention relative to each other are shown. In the left-hand side depiction the adapter  70  and the fin box  30  are still separate, and in the right-hand side depiction they both are shown in an assembled state. 
     In  FIG. 20  the positions of a fin according to the prior art and the adapter and the fin box according to the invention relative to each other are shown. As regards the known fin  100 , a front side  102 , a rear side  104 , a side wall  106  and two separate footings  122 A and  122 B are depicted. A length-wise side  124  and a head side  126  of the footing  122 B are denoted. The receptacle  74  of the adapter  74  is dimensioned such that the footing  122 A of the known fin  100  can be taken up in a tight fit therein. The side wall  84  of the adapter  74  is dimensioned such that the head side  126  of the known fin  100  can be placed against it in a tight fit. The middle receptacle  36  and the two receptacles  38 A and  38 B lying at either side thereof of the fin box  30  have been denoted. The compressible means  44  are also depicted in a partly exploded view. 
     When assembling the adapter  70  and the fin box  30 , the footing  78  of the adapter  70  is taken up in a tight fit in the receptacle  32 A of the fin box  30 . The channel  76  thereby comes to lie in a similar orientation relative to the hook H (not shown here) as has been described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . With this the adapter  70  fits tightly in the receptacles  36  and  38 A of the fin box  30 . The adapter can be released easily from the fin box  30  by pressing the resilient means  44  so that space is created between the rib of the hook H and the channel  76  of the adapter. Next, the known fin can be assembled with the adapter  70  and the fin box  30  that have already been assembled together. The footing  122 A of the known fin thereby fits tightly in the receptacle  74  of the adapter  70  and the footing  122 B fits tightly in the receptacle  38 B of the fin box  30  whereby the head side  126  and length-wise side  124  of the footing  122 B of the known fin  100  fit tightly in the receptacle  38 B. In all fittings that have been mentioned the various ribs and receptacles that have been formed complementarily therewith co-operate as has been described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
     The embodiments of the present invention that have been described are directed to the receiving and releasably fastening of a fin or daggerboard in a fin box without the use of a tool whereby the fin system forms a substantially closed whole with the surface of the sailboard. It shall be clear that only some of the possible embodiments of the invention have been depicted in the drawings and have been described above. A lot of modifications, such as relating to the number of fin systems, the position thereof relative to the fin, its geometry and the choice of material, can be made without falling outside the scope of the invention.