Patent Publication Number: US-8113896-B2

Title: Aquatic carrier and rudder thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priorities under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 98110208 and 99109243 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 2009 Mar. 27 and 2010 Mar. 26, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a fin of aquatic carrier, and more particularly to a fin of aquatic carrier that can absorb impact. The present invention also relates to an aquatic carrier which has the fin that can absorb impact. 
     2. Background 
     Aquatic activities, especially surfing, have been very popular all over the world. Most surfboard fins are made from fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), such as glass fiber reinforced plastics. In order to reduce the dragging force of water during surfing, the edges of fins are modified so as to be extremely sharp. An impact between the fins and human bodies therefore, usually results in serious injuries. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 , in which the conventional aquatic carrier  1  such as the surfboard, consists of a carrier component  10  and a fin  11 . The customary fin  11  is one piece and fixed onto the carrier component  10 . If the stiff fin  11  hits someone doing aquatic activities, the sharp edge will slash their clothes and skin, causing unexpected injuries. Efforts have been made to modify the fin&#39;s shape, dimension, sharpness and thickness. However, all of those improvements are focused on providing better performance in different wave conditions rather than preventing people from being injured. 
     In addition, a fin  11  which can be withdrawn into the carrier component  10  has been proposed for easy carry. In this case, the fin  11  still must be drawn out and fixed before the user starts surfing. Thus this likewise does not ensure safety. 
     Accordingly, the primary issue in need of a solution is to improve the structure of the fin of the aquatic carrier, in order to protect people being injured. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the problem, this invention presents a fin of aquatic carrier including: a fixing component, a retractable component pivoted to the fixing component, and a first elastic component connected to the fixing component and the retracted component, as well as supporting the retractable component by elastic force. 
     In addition, this invention also presents an aquatic carrier including: a carrier, a fixing component connecting to the carrier, a retractable component pivoted to the fixing component, and a first elastic which is connected to the fixing component and the retraced component as well as supporting the retractable component by a tension force. The retractable component compresses the first elastic component, and rotates with respect to the fixing component when experiencing external force. 
     One feature of this invention is that the fin includes a fixing component and a retractable component, making the retractable component capable of rotating with respect to the fixing component. When the fin described in this invention hits someone or the user themselves due to overturning of the aquatic carrier, the impact force is reduced by the rotation of the retractable component with respect to the fixing component. As a result, an injury which could be caused is prevented, and the risk of damage to the fin is reduced. Another feature of this invention is that the fin can recover to the original condition immediately after the aquatic carrier passes through the point of impact or the external force no longer exists. Accordingly, the fin can keep functioning immediately after collision, making the aquatic carrier return promptly to its original status. 
     This invention therefore solves the problem that people are easily injured by the conventional aquatic carrier and fin. The preferred embodiments and effects related to the present invention will be described in detail with the following figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention can best be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which device parts are identified with reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective diagram of the first embodiment, illustrating the connection between the fin and the aquatic carrier; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective diagram of the fin of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a sectional diagram of the fin of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a first exploded perspective diagram of the fin according to  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a second exploded perspective diagram of the fin according to  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a third exploded perspective diagram of the fin according to  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional diagram the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a horizontal-roller type and a horizontal-and-vertical roller type fin; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating a roller-cylinder type fin; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram illustrating a power-driven-retraction type fin. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, illustrating an aquatic carrier and a fin according to the first (preferred) embodiment. The fin  2  of the aquatic carrier includes a fixing component  20 , a retractable component  21 , and a first elastic component  22 . The fixing component  20  and the retractable component  21  are preferably produced by glass fiber reinforced plastics, though carbon fiber reinforced plastics or other fiber reinforced plastics are also practicable. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the materials mentioned above. 
     In addition, the fixing component  20  has a fin base  202 , and is fixed onto the fin fixture  101  of the aquatic carrier  1  via the fin base  202  by way of screwing, locking, clipping or embedding. In other case, it is also practicable to eliminate the fin base  202  and fix the fixing component  20  directly onto the fin fixture  101  of the aquatic carrier  1 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, which are the exploded perspective diagrams of the fin  2  from different angles of view. The first elastic component  22  is set at the first cavity  204  of the fixing component  20 . One end of the first elastic component  22  is connected to the first elastic component fixing hole  201 , and the other end is against the retractable component  21 . In this embodiment, the first elastic component  22  is preferably a spring such as a compression spring, a V-shape spring, or a torsion spring. The retractable component  21  is against by the tension force of the first elastic component  22 , which remains at a constant included angle between the fixing component  20  and the retractable component  21  on the premise that no external force exists. 
     In the first embodiment, the retractable component  21  is preferably composed of the first retractable plate  211 , the second retractable plate  212  and the second elastic component  23 . The first retractable plate  211  is pivoted to the fixing component  20 ; the second retractable plate  212  is pivoted to the first retractable plate  211 ; and the second elastic component  23  is set at the second cavity  205  of the first retractable plate  212 . One end of the second elastic component  23  is connected to the second elastic component fixing hole  203  of the first retractable plate  211 , and the other end is against the second retractable plate  212 . The second elastic component  23  is preferably a spring such as a compression spring, a V-shape spring, or a torsion spring. The second retractable plate  212  is against by the tension force of the second elastic component  23 , which remains at a constant included angle between the first retractable plate  211  and the second retractable plate  212 . 
     The fixing component  20 , the first retractable plate  211 , and the second retractable plate  212  are pivoted together by a pivot  240  passing through the pivot hole  241 ,  242  and  243 . The pivot  240  is primarily used to fix the fixing component  20 , the first retractable plate  211 , and the second retractable plate  212  at the same axis, making them can be folded or unfolded as a fan. 
     The pivot  240  can be a rivet, a screw or other safe and practicable replacement. The advantage of using the rivet as the pivot  240  is the low risk of separation of the pivoted components. However, as the pivot  240  becomes loose or comes off, a rivet tool is required to re-pivot the fixing component  20 , the first retractable plate  211 , and the second retractable plate  212  together. Using a screw as the pivot has the advantage that the pivoted components are easily separated, so that the sand accumulated in the first hollow part  213  and the second hollow part  214  is easy to be removed. After cleaning, the pivoted components are also easy to assemble. The only disadvantage of using a screw as the pivot  240  is the risk of pivot looseness, which could result in separation of the pivoted components. 
     The first retractable plate  211  of the retractable component  21  is held by the tension force of the first elastic component  22 , which maintains a constant included angle between the fixing component  20  and the first retractable plate  211  on the premise that no external force exists. Further, the first retractable plate  211  has the first hollow part  213 , and the second retractable plate  212  has the second hollow part  214 . When the retractable component  21  experiences an external force (hitting something or someone), the second retractable plate  212  compresses the second elastic component  23 , causing the first retractable plate  211  to become contained in the second hollow part  214 . Provided the external force is not removed immediately, the first retractable plate  211  of the retractable component  21  will compress the first elastic component  22  as well, and cause the retractable component  21  to rotate with respect to the fixing component  20 . Simultaneously, the fixing component  20  is contained in the first hollow part  213 . 
     A drain hole  315  is arranged between the first hollow part  213  and the second hollow part  214 . The drain hole  315  is used to drain water, sand or something which should not enter the first hollow part  213 , ensuring the retractable components  21  can rotate smoothly with respect to the fixing component  20 . In addition, another drain hole  315  which is also used to drain water, sand or something which should not enter the second hollow part  214  is arranged at the opening of the second hollow part  214 . It is understood that the position of the drain hole  315  depends on the design requirements; the position of the drain hole  315  described in this embodiment is not used to limit this invention. 
     When the fin  2  described in the embodiment hits someone or something, some of the impact force can be absorbed spontaneously due to its retraction. People doing aquatic activities are therefore protected from harm, and the risk of damage to the fin  2  is reduced. Moreover, the fin  2  will recover and continuously function immediately after passing through the point of impact due to the elasticity of the first elastic component  22  and the second elastic component  23 . 
     It is unnecessary for the retractable component  21  to have both the first retractable plate  211  and the second retractable plate  212 . The primary characteristic of the invention is that the retractable component  21  is held by the first elastic component  22  as well as being able to rotate with respect to the fixing component  20  when experiencing external force. For instance, the retractable component  21  may have only the first retractable plate  211 , without the second retractable plate  212 . In addition, the retractable component  21  can also have a third retractable plate (not shown) pivoted to the second retractable plate  212 , or have a fourth retractable plate (not shown) pivoted to the third retractable plate, and so forth. Thus the impact experienced by a human body or the fin  2  can be reduced to a minimum, and people and the fin  2  protected as a consequence. 
     When the fin  2  is installed on the carrier component  10 , it must be fixed onto the fin fixture  101 . If the fin  2  hits someone or something during surfing, the second elastic component  23  will be compressed by the second retractable plate  212 ; likewise, the first elastic component  22  will be compressed by the first retractable plate  211 . On passing through the point of impact, the elastic force of the first elastic component  22  and the second elastic component  23  will push the first retractable plate  211  and the second retractable plate  212  back to the original position automatically. When a collision occurs between two objects, the impact force is determined by several factors, such as speed, rigidity of objects, impact angle etc. As long as one of the two objects is elastic, the harm to people or the fin  2  can be reduced. The reliability and safety of the invention are therefore increased. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4 , which is the sectional diagram of the second embodiment of the invention. Rather than being composed of the first retractable plate  211  and the second retractable plate  212 , the retractable component  41  in the second embodiment is one piece. When the retractable component  41  experiences an external force, the retractable component  41  compresses the first elastic component  42 , making the retractable component  41  rotate with respect to the fixing component  40 , so that the impact force is reduced and the human body and fin  2  are protected from harm. Moreover, the fin  2  will recover and continuously function immediately after passing through the point of impact due to the elasticity of the first elastic component  2 . Consequently, the aquatic carrier on which the fin  2  is installed can keep its balance still. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 , in which four types of fins which provide protection against collision are also described, which are the horizontal-roller type fin  500 , the horizontal-and-vertical-roller type fin  510 , the roller-cylinder type fin  600 , and the power-driven-retraction type fin  700 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5 , in which the horizontal roller type fin  500  as well as the horizontal and vertical roller type fin  510  are illustrated. The horizontal roller type fin  500  has at least one fin plate  501  and at least one roller module  550 , wherein the roller module  550  is arranged at the leading edge or the back edge of the fin plate  501 . 
     The horizontal roller type fin  500  not only enables the surfboard  10  to change direction, but also keeps the balance of the surfboard  10 . The fin plate  501  of the horizontal roller type fin  500  is installed beneath the surfboard  10  through the fin base  202 . The fin base  202  which connects to the fin plate  501  is used to fix the fin plate  501  onto the surfboard  10 . The roller trench  525  is provided for the installation of the roller module  550  on the fin plate  501 . The foreign object  270  means anything which could be hit by the horizontal roller type fin  500 , such as a human body, swimming tool, fish, or reef. 
     Due to the setup of the roller module  550 , the foreign object  270  hits the roller  520  rather than the sharp edge, and the rotation of the roller  520  protects the foreign object  270  from harm. The outline of the roller  520  can be designed to be round and smooth and also can be produced from soft materials. The pivot  240  which passes through the center of the roller  520  is fixed to an appropriate position of the roller frame  530  so that the roller  520  can rotate free. 
     All of the roller modules  550  are horizontal and cross the fin plate  501  vertically. 
     The horizontal roller type fin  500  at least has one roller module  550  which is installed on the fin plate  501 . The gap between each of the roller modules  550  depends on the design requirement. However the gap must be narrow enough to prevent the foreign object  270  being hit by the sharp edge of the horizontal roller type fin. 
     The fin plate  501  and the fin base  202  are made as either one piece or independent. The position of the roller trench  525  is arranged at where the roller module  550  is installed. 
     In order to increase production efficiency, the parts of the roller module  550  (including roller  520 , roller frame  530 , and pivot  240 ) can be produced and designed individually. The parts are subsequently collected, classified and assembled to a module. Finally, the roller module  550  is installed on the roller trench  525  of the fin plate  501 . 
     Various material properties of the fin plate  501 , fin base  202  and roller module  550  (including roller  520 , roller frame  530 , and pivot  240 ) should be considered, such as lightness, chemical resistance, wear resistance, impact resistance and UV resistance. It is suggested that the material can be selected from the group consisting of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), light metal, rubber, and other light synthesized materials. The shape should also be taken into consideration. Streamline and safety are the basic requirements. Several methods can be used to create this invention, such as machining, module assembling, and molding. 
     The diameter of the roller  520  installed horizontally to the fin plate  501  is greater than the thickness of the fin plate  501 ; and the roller  520  installed vertically to the fin plate  501  is designed to be jutted out the edge of the fin plate  501 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Only then can the foreign objects (someone or something)  270  be protected from harm. 
     When an unfortunate accident occurs, the embodiment protects the foreign objects  270  by two means. One is preventing foreign objects  270  from being hit by the sharp edge of the fin plate  501 , the other is making the foreign objects  270  slip away through the rotation of the roller  520 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the right side diagram illustrates the horizontal and vertical roller type fin  510  having at least on fin plate  501  and roller module  550 . 
     At the leading edge of the fin plate  501 , the roller modules  550  are installed horizontally and cross the fin plate  501  vertically. 
     Compared with the horizontal roller type fin  500 , at the tail of the fin plate  501  of the horizontal and vertical roller type fin  510 , the roller modules  550  are installed vertically. 
     The functions of the horizontal and vertical roller type fin  510  are basically the same as the description of horizontal roller type fin  500 , so it is unnecessary to repeat the details. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 6 , in which the roller cylinder type fin  600  is illustrated. In this embodiment, a cylinder  660  having similar functions as the roller  520  does is also installed in front of the leading edge of the fin plate  601 . In addition, at least one roller module  650  installed on the leading edge of the fin plate  601  is arranged behind the cylinder  660 , which enhances the impact resistance of the cylinder  660 . 
     In the embodiment, the diameter of the cylinder  660  should be greater than the thickness of the fin plate  601  so that the foreign object  270  can be protected. 
     The functions of the roller cylinder type fin  600  are basically the same as the description of the description of horizontal roller type fin  500 , thus the details is not necessary to be given repeatedly. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 7 , in which the power-driven retraction type fin  700  is illustrated. Compared with the first embodiment, the power-driven retraction type fin  700  further includes a power-driven retraction device  702 , which makes a fin module  701  (including the first retractable plate  211 , second retractable plate  212 , and a third retractable plate  713 ) can be retracted manually or electrically. Since retraction of the fin module  701  is either manual or electrical, the elastic component and the elastic component fixing hole are not necessary in this embodiment. 
     The detailed description of this embodiment is only focused on the power-driven retraction device  702 , which has not been introduced. The power-driven retraction type fin  700  includes at least one fin base, the first retractable plate  211 , the second retractable plate  212 , the third retractable  713 , the fin plate fixing unit  340 , and the power-driven retraction device  702 . 
     The power-driven retraction device  702  includes a retraction control module  710  which connects to the fin module  701 . The retraction control module  710  consists of a manual control unit  715  and an automatic control unit  720 , making user can manipulate the fin module  701  by the manual control unit  715  and the automatic control unit  720  alternatively. The manual control unit  715  provides the user with manipulating the retraction of the fin module  701  by itself. The automatic control unit  720  is electrically connected to an impact sensor  725  which is equipped at the bottom of the aquatic carrier. If the impact sensor  725  detects a foreign object  270  about to collide with the fin module  701 , an alarm signal will be sent to the automatic control unit  720 . Upon receiving the alarm signal from the impact sensor  725 , the automatic control unit  720  will retract the fin module  701  immediately. Once the impact sensor  725  detects an absence of threat, a release signal will be sent from the impact sensor  725  to the automatic control unit  720 , so that the fin module  701  will be released to the original position. The control line  730  is electrically connected the retraction control module  710  to a retraction component  735  which connects to the fin module  701 . The retraction component  735  is used to retract or release the fin module  701  according to the retraction control module  710 . The fixing base  740  fixes the retraction component  735  through a fixing rod  760 . Each of the pivot holes  750  is passed through a pivot  240 . One end of the fin rack  770  is connected to the second retractable plate  212  and the third retractable plate  713 , and another end is connected to the retraction component  735 . Hence, the retraction component  735  can retract the fin module  701  by pulling the fin rack  770  up and down. 
     In this embodiment, the fin module  701  can be manipulated either manually or automatically. In the mode of manual manipulation, the user determines when to retract or release the fin module  701 . In the mode of automatic manipulation, the retraction and release of the fin module  701  are determined by the impact sensor  725 . If the impact sensor  725  detects a foreign object  270  about to collide with the fin module  701 , the fin module  701  will be retracted. The fin module  701  is released to the original position only if the impact sensor  725  detects nothing. 
     While the present invention has been described by the way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.