Patent Publication Number: US-2013237107-A1

Title: Adjustable fin system for surfboards

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to surf boards and, more specifically, to fin systems used on surfboards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Surfboards have one or more fins attached to the bottom side of the surfboard near the back end of the surfboard to help control movement through the water and provide stability to the rear end of the surfboard to allow a surfer to turn the surfboard. Some surfboards have a single fin, while others may include multiple fins, such as a single primary fin along the centerline of the surfboard and secondary fins laterally spaced from the centerline of the surfboard. 
     Fin systems have been developed to allow some adjustment and/or replacement of the fins of the surfboard. That is, some systems allow a user to replace the fins if they become damaged or if a fin of a different size or configuration is desired based on surf conditions. Moreover, some fin systems allow for a fin to be adjusted forward or backward relative to the surfboard. Such adjustment systems, however, require the user to leave the water, use a screwdriver or alien wrench to loosen the fin and then move the fin forward or back relative to the board to adjust the position of the fin. 
     Thus, there exists a need in the art to allow a surfer to quickly and easily adjust the position of a fin relative to a surfboard to account for surf conditions and/or surfer preference essentially on the fly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A particular embodiment relates to a fin system for a surfboard includes a fin box and a fin having a base, wherein the base is slidably engaged to the fin box. 
     Another embodiment is drawn to a surfboard comprises a fin attached to a bottom of the surfboard through a slot formed from a fin box, and a dial coupled to a base of the fin so that rotation of the dial causes movement of the fin from a distal position toward a read end of the surfboard to a proximal position toward a front end of the surfboard. 
     Yet another embodiment relates to an adjustable fin system for a surfboard, comprising a fin box adapted for mounting to a surfboard, the fin box defining a longitudinally extending channel, and a fin attachment slider that is slidably coupled to the fin box within the channel, the fin attachment slider being configured to be attached to the base of a fin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a surfboard having an adjustable fin system according to a particular embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an adjustable fin system according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate yet another embodiment of an adjustable fin system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a fin adjustment system according to a particular embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A-10B  illustrate various embodiments of fin box/slider arrangements according to particular embodiments. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate another embodiment of a fin adjustment system. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin system. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of the fin system incorporating a cable system. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrates an embodiment of the fin system having a longitudinally extending upper slot. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of a fin adjustment system that includes a slider and a rack gear. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of the fin adjustment system having a rotary wheel coupled to a scissor gear system. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a system including cam locks that may be employed to lock a slider. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment of the slider and fin box that includes a series of rollers or ball bearings to facilitate movement. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment that utilizes small gears and a rack system for movement. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment of the fin adjustment system that is completely embedded within a surfboard. 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  illustrate a fin body according to a particular embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventor can be his own lexicographer. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographer, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor&#39;s intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventor is also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate a surfboard having an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , a fin  12  is attached to a bottom  15  of surfboard  14  through a slot  16  formed from a fin box  18 . The slot  16  is longer than the longitudinal length of the base of the fin  12  so that the fin  12  can be moved from a more distal position toward the rear end of the surfboard  12  as shown in  FIG. 1A  to a more proximal position toward the front end of the surfboard  12  as shown in  FIG. 1C , and at any location therein between. In order to move the fin  12  relative to the fin box  18 , a rotary dial  20  is coupled relative to and accessible from the front side  22  of the surfboard  14 . The rotary dial  20  is coupled to the base of the fin  18  so that rotation of the dial  20  causes movement of the fin  12  relative to the surfboard  14  depending on the direction of rotation of the dial  20 . The dial  20  has an arrow indicator located thereon for indicating to the surfer the position of the fin relative to the surfboard  14  without the surfer having to examine the position of the fin  12  on the bottom  15  of the surfboard. When the arrow indicator is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1B , the fin  12  is positioned at the rear end of the fin box  18  and when the arrow indicator is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1D , the fin  12  is positioned at the front end of the fin box  18 . Thus, a 180 rotation of the dial  20  will cause the fin  12  to move between the rear and front of the fin box and vice versa, which can equate to four to six inches of movement depending on the length of the fin box  12  and the size of the fin  12 . 
     Movement of the fin  12  relative to the surfboard  14  can have a dramatic effect on the performance and handling of the surfboard. Having the ability to adjust the fin position on the fly without having to remove the surfboard from the water, as is currently required by prior art fin systems, can provide a tremendous advantage to surfers, especially in competition settings. That is, by the time a surfer using a conventional board/fin system leaves the water to adjust the fin, surf conditions can change and/or cause the surfer to miss optimum wave conditions. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at  30  in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is illustrated. The fin system  30  is comprised of a fin  32  coupled to a surfboard  34 . The fin system further includes a fin box  36  within which the base  38  of the fin  32  is slideably engaged. The base  38  is retained relative to the base with laterally extending pins  40  that engage with a longitudinally extending slot in the fin box  38 . 
     Movement of the base  38  of the fin  32  is caused by rotation of a dial  42  relative to the surfboard  34  that is coupled to a gear  44 . The gear  44  has teeth that engage with a rack gear  46  coupled to or integrally formed with the base  38  of the fin  32 . Thus, by rotating the dial  42 , the surfer can dial in the desired fin location relative to the board  34  on the fly. The dial  42  is retained within a housing  48  that is permanently embedded within the surfboard  34 . The dial  42  is biased with spring  50  relative to the housing  48 . Depressing the dial  42  causes disengagement between teeth  52  on the dial  42  and teeth  56  on the housing  48  that otherwise hold the dial  42  in place relative to the housing  48 . The dial  42  is coupled to a central shaft  58 . The shaft  58  is coupled to the gear  44  such that rotation of the dial  42  and shaft  58  causes rotation of the gear  44 . Rotation of the gear  44 , in turn, causes displacement of the fin  32  relative to the fin box  36 . Once the dial has been rotated to the desired position, releasing the dial  42  causes the dial  42  to reengage with the housing so as to be retained in place by the bias of spring  50 . A retaining ring  59  is provided on the bottom end of the shaft  58  to retain the shaft  59  on the gear  44  when the dial  42  is depressed and released. The shaft  58  has a non-circular cross-section that mates with a non-circular hole in the gear so that rotation of the shaft  58  causes rotation of the gear  44 . While the forgoing illustrative embodiment has been described with reference to a dial that is depressed to engage it from the housing  48  to allow rotation of the gear  44 , it is contemplated that the dial could be configured such that lifting of the dial causes disengagement of the dial from the housing so that the dial can be rotated relative to the housing  48 , thus causing rotation of the gear and movement of the fin. In such a system, the dial would be inwardly biased so that release of the dial would cause the dial to be pulled back into the housing to reengage with the housing to prevent further movement of the dial and thus of the fin. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at  60 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The adjustable fin system includes a fin box  62  that is permanently mounted to a surfboard  64 . The fin box  62  defines a longitudinally extending channel  65 . A fin attachment slider  66  is slidably coupled to the fin box  62  within the channel  65 . The fin attachment slider  66  is configured to be securely attached to the base of a fin. The attachment slider  66  can be configured to accommodate any type of fin base known in the art. The slider is comprised of a low friction material to allow the slider  66  to tightly fit within the channel  65  but freely slide with little if any lateral movement between the slider and the fin box  62 . This prevents unwanted movement or vibration between the fin and the fin box  62  when surfing. 
     A rotary dial  68  is coupled to the fin box  62 . The bottom of the dial  68  includes an angled gear  70  having a plurality of gear teeth radially extending therefrom for engaging with a rack gear  72  provided on the top of the slider  66 . Rotation of the dial  68 , in turn, causes longitudinal movement of the slider  66  relative to the fin box  62  and thus longitudinal movement of a fin (not shown) relative to the surfboard  64 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is illustrated another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at  80  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The fin system  80  includes a fin box  82  coupled to and embedded within a surfboard  84 . A fin  86  is coupled to a slider  88  that is positioned within the fin box channel  90 . The fin box channel  90  and slider  88  have a generally trapezoidal shape so as to prevent the slider  88  from being pulled from the fin box while allowing the slider  88  to slide within the channel  90  by rotation of the dial  92 . The dial  92  is positioned in the top surface  94  of the surfboard  84 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the dial  92  includes a raised center portion  93  that can be grasped by a user and rotated so that the indicator on the raised center portion  93  is pointing at a desired position indicated by number indicators  95 . 
     The dial  92  is coupled to a shaft  96  that is coupled at an opposite end to a gear  98 . The gear  98  engages with rack gear  99  formed in the side of the slider  88 . Thus, rotation of the dial  92  will cause rotation of the shaft  96  and rotation of the gear  98  to cause the slider  82  to move relative to the fin box  82  and move the fin  86  to a desired location relative to the surfboard  84 . 
     In yet another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a fin adjustment system  100  according to the present invention is comprised of a fin box  102  coupled to a surfboard  104 . An elongate slider  106  is slidably coupled to the fin box  102 . A longitudinally extending fin slot  108  is provided in the bottom of the fin box  102  that allows the fin (not shown) to slide relative to the fin box  102 . A rotary dial  110  is rotatably coupled to the surfboard  104  and includes a plurality of laterally extending gear teeth  112  that are configured for engaging with rack gear  114  formed in the slider  106 . Rotation of the dial  110  causes the teeth  112  to rotate, which causes movement of the slider  106  depending on the direction of rotation of the dial  110 . 
       FIGS. 6A-10B  illustrate various embodiments of a fin box/slider arrangement according to the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the slider  120  is comprised of an elongate member having a trapezoidal cross-section. The fin box  122  defines a channel having a corresponding trapezoidal cross-section for receiving and retaining the slider  120 . In  FIG. 7 , the slider  124  has a T-shaped cross-section with the fin box  124  defining a longitudinally extending channel having a corresponding T-shaped cross-section.  FIG. 8  illustrates a similar T-shaped cross-sectional slider  128  and fin box channel  129 . In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the slider  130  has a rounded cross-section to match the rounded cross-section of the slider channel  132 . 
     In order to allow the slider to freely slide relative to the fin box, the fin box channel  140  may be lined with low friction materials  142 , such as Teflon or other low friction materials known in the art. Likewise, the fin receptacle or slider  144  may be provided with low friction ends  148  that engage with the low friction liner  142  of the housing  146 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin adjustment system  150  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the fin adjustment system  150  is comprised of a fin box  152  within which a slidable fin receptacle  154  is positioned. The fin box  152  defines a longitudinally extending channel  156  within which the receptacle  154  can move. A worm gear  158  is coupled between the receptacle and a cylindrical roller  160  coupled to the fin box  152 . Rotation of the roller  160  causes rotation of the worm gear  158 . The worm gear engages corresponding gear teeth (not shown) on the receptacle  154  and causes movement of the receptacle  154  relative to the fin box  152  as the worm gear rotates. 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate another embodiment of a fin adjustment system, generally indicated at  200  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A fin  202  is pivotally and slidably coupled to a fin box  204 . In order to adjust the position of the fin  202  relative to the fin box  204 , a release lever  206  is raised as shown in  FIG. 11B  to allow the fin  202  to pivot downwardly away from the surfboard. The fin  202  can then be slid into a desired position. The release lever  206  is then closed as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11C  to cause the fin  202  to rotate back to the locked position. Closing of the lever  206  then locks the fin  202  in place. The fin box  204  is provided with a plurality of recesses  208  for receiving and retaining the lever handle  207 . Thus, in this example, the fin box  204  is configured to retain the fin in a number of predetermined and discrete fin locations relative to the fin box  204 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin system of the present invention. The fin system  220  is comprised of a fin box  222  to which a slidable fin receptacle  224  is coupled. A rotatable roller  226  is rotatably coupled to the fin box  22  and includes a shaft depending therefrom having a gear  228  attached thereto. The gear  228  engages with a rack gear  230  on the top of the receptacle  224 . Rotation of the roller  226  causes the receptacle  224  to slide within the fin box  222  depending on the direction of rotation of the roller  226 . 
     It is also contemplated, as shown in  FIG. 13 , that the fin receptacle  240  could be moved relative to the fin box  242  by a cable system  244 . Rotation of a dial  246  coupled to the cable  244  can cause winding of the cable  244  to pull the receptacle  240  in either direction relative to the fin box  242 . The cable is wound at least partially around pulleys  248  and  249  to direct the cable  244  from the dial  246  to the distal end of the fin box  242  and back to the dial  246 . 
     A fin system of the present invention is also illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . In this embodiment, the fin system  250  includes a fin box having a longitudinally extending upper slot  252  for slidably receiving a retention screw  254  and a lower slot for receiving a slider  256  to which the fin  258  is attached. The fin  258  can be moved by loosening the screw  254  and sliding the slider  256  relative to the fin box  251 . The screw  254  is provided with a retention nut  259  that allows the screw to be loosened but not removed from the fin box  251  so as to prevent the screw  254  from becoming dislodged and lost. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a fin adjustment system  260  may comprise a slider  262  having a rack gear  264 . A gear  266  is mounted relative to the rack gear  266  so as to mate therewith. A gear lever  268  is mounted within a lever recess  270  that is imbedded relative to a top surface of the surfboard to which it is attached. The lever  268  can be rotated to rotate the gear  266  and move the rack  264  so as to cause the slider  262  to move relative to a fin box. 
     It is further contemplated that other systems for moving a fin relative to a fin box along a length of a surfboard may be employed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, the fin adjustment system  280  illustrated in  FIG. 16  is comprised of a rotary wheel  282  coupled to a scissor gear system  284 . Rotation of the wheel  282  causes the scissor system  284  to extend or retract depending on the direction of rotation of the wheel  282  to move the fin retainer  286  relative to the fin box  288 . 
     It is further contemplated in  FIG. 17  that cam locks  290  and  292  may be employed to lock the slider  294  in place relative to the fin box  296  once moved to a desired location using any of the systems described herein, or any combination thereof. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 18 , in order to accommodate smooth and free movement of the slider  300  relative to the fin box  302 , a series of rollers  304  or ball bearings may be employed to facilitate such movement. 
     Other systems may also be utilized such as small gears  310  and rack system  312  illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the fin adjustment system of the present invention is completely embedded within a surfboard  400  so that any exposed components are flush or recessed relative to the top and bottom surfaces of the surfboard  400  so as to not alter in any way the performance of the surfboard. Thus the fin box  402  has a bottom surface  404  that is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the surfboard  400 . Likewise, the surface  410  of the fin box  402  is beneath the top surface  412  of the surfboard or can be made to be substantially flush therewith depending on whether the fin box is  402  is inserted during the construction of the surfboard or added as an aftermarket component. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , a fin  500  of the present invention includes a fin body  502  having a desired contour for providing the desired ride characteristics of a surfboard. The fin  500  also includes a base  504  fixedly coupled to or integrally formed with the body  502 . The base  504  is an elongate, generally rectangular body sized to be received within a fin box of the present invention. A rack gear  506  is attached to or integrally formed with the base  504 . The rack gear  506  is configured to engage with a gear of the fin adjustment system of the present invention as herein described. Engagement pins can be inserted through holes  508  and  510  to engage with slots in the fin box to add stability to the fin  500  relative to the fin box when attached thereto. 
     It should be noted that the various features of the embodiments describing a fin adjustment system could be combined to form other fin adjustment systems according to the principles of the present invention. It is also contemplated that more than one such fin adjustment system could be used on a single surfboard. Since it is common for surfboards to have multiple fins, each one could be made adjustable according to the present invention. For smaller outside fins, the scale of the adjustment system could be modified to accommodate smaller fins and to fit within the surfboard in thinner sections of the surfboard. 
     In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the components and/or elements may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components. 
     The terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.