Abstract:
The present invention is directed, in part, to an apparatus and methods related to an adapter for surfing or other water sports equipment that employ use of fins and fin boxes during their operation. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adapter that allows a surfer to fit a FCS® fin and engage it tightly and securely. The adapter, with the fin engaged, is fitted into the fin box of a surfboard that employs use of a Future® fin box. The user is able to quickly change a broken fin. The present invention is further directed to a system for attaching fins to surfboards that employs elements that allows a surfer to quickly replace broken or inoperable fins on the surfer&#39;s surfboard allowing replacement of such fins with new a new fin, even in the instance in which the fin and fin box originate from two different manufacturers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for enjoying the sport of surfing and other water sports that employ the use of fins and fin boxes and improving the equipment associated therewith. More specifically, the invention relates to an adapter that allows a surf rider the ability to use surfboard fins of one manufacturer interchangeably with the surfboard fin box of another, different manufacturer. Even more in particular, the present invention is an adapter that allows a surfer to use a FCS® fin and attach it securely to a Future® fin box. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditionally, the sport of surfing, which includes other sports such as for example, paddle boarding and the like, has been one that demands reliable equipment in order to maintain the safety of the individual as well provide equipment that will enhance enjoyment of the sporting experience to the greatest extent possible. There are a number of manufacturers in the business of providing surfing-related equipment and there is a variety of fins and fin boxes generally known in the art. 
         [0003]    FCS® and Future® represent two significant players in the surfing industry with both companies enjoying a large market share in the sale of both fins and fin boxes as well as surfboards. Both companies supply the surfing industry with sturdy and reliable fins and fin boxes in order to allow the surfing community the ability to ride large waves without the fear that the fin and fin boxes will fail. 
         [0004]    As with many types of sporting equipment, there is a multitude of variations on the basic configuration of surf board fins and fin boxes. Development of such equipment has sought to tailor the needs of a surfer along with ensuring that the equipment is able to take the rigorous conditions of found in the midst of large, crashing waves. Therefore, there is an obvious advantage for sporting enthusiasts to enjoy the flexibility of being able to use available surfing equipment interchangeably in order to find the fin and fin box, along with other available surfing equipment, that is going to best suit their needs in light of skill level, body type and surf conditions. 
         [0005]    Interchangeable fin systems are known in the prior art and generally comprise different variations of fins that fit into a desired fin box or set of fin boxes. In fact, there is seemingly no shortage of examples that have attempted to address the lingering problem of a surfer&#39;s inability to easily and reliably use the fin of one manufacturer with the fin box of another different manufacturer. Examples are replete in the prior art and include for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,025, 5,975,974, 7,497,752, 7,182,661 among a number of others. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,752 for example, describes multiple embodiments related to a fin box for releasable attachment of a fin having at least one fin-tab, with the fin box adapted to be inserted into and kept within the recesses of a surfboard. As described, the fin box includes an elongated body with a rectangular recess that allows the insertion of a fin therein. The patent describes a fin box system that is compatible with different fin manufacturers. The invention however, requires the fin box be installed while the board is getting shaped or initially created; it is not an accessory that can be added to an existing FCS® or Future® fin box in order to allow interchangeability. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,933 is another document that describes so-called customizable surfboards that employ use of an adjustable fin. As described, the surfboard includes a body, a fin, a recessed chamber and a fastener in which the fin can be inserted into the recessed chamber and fasted thereto with the fastener. More specifically, the recessed chamber is configured so that the fin is adjustable in a variety of cants so to allow the surfer the ability to ride the board in a variety of wave conditions. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,757 describes a fin and fin box assembly that includes a fin box that is adapted for attaching to a surfboard or other wave riding sporting equipment thereof. The fin box assembly is described as having a base that is attachable to the fin box wherein the fin assembly that can be readily attached or released from the fin box assembly. Again, as with the remainder of the prior art, the invention fails to address the long standing need of interchangeably mixing and matching the fins of one manufacturer with the fin box of another manufacturer. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, difficulties in the field of surfboards, and the interchangeability of popular surfboard fins and fin boxes, remain. Further, existing solutions fail to address particular deficiencies that confront the surfing industry and the needs of surfers seeking alternatives to the existing art and a solution to advancing the freedom of using the sporting equipment that best suits the needs of the surfer in light of his skill level and the surfing conditions in which he seeks to surf. The present invention addresses these shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates to surfboards and particularly surfboards with removable surf fins and fin boxes and an adapter that provides the user with the ability to interchange fins of one manufacturer with the fin box of another manufacturer thus, allowing the surfer to tailor his surfing equipment to suit his needs. In particular, the invention includes an adapter that allows a surfer to safely and securely attach a FCS® fin to a Future® fin box on a surfboard or other aquatic sport equipment that employs use of an FCS® fin and Future® fin box. 
         [0011]    Specifically the invention is a reusable and removable adapter for mounting into the cavity of a fin box wherein the fin box is configured within an aquatic sport craft. The adapter of the invention engages a fin to form a fin/adapter assembly with the fin/adapter assembly attaching to and fitting into the cavity of the fin box to hold the fin/adapter assembly securely into the fin box. In so doing, the invention allows a user the ability to attach a fin manufactured by a manufacturer and use the fin in conjunction with a fin box manufactured by a second, different manufacturer while also allowing the user to use a traditional surf key to attach the fin and fin/adapter assembly into the fin box. 
         [0012]    The invention also relates to a fin mounting system for an aquatic sport craft such as a surfboard for example, and is a reusable adapter where the adapter engages a fin manufactured by a first manufacturer, and while engaged together, form a fin/adapter assembly, with the fin/adapter assembly thereafter being engaged into a fin box manufactured by a second, different manufacturer. Importantly, the fin, adapter and fin box are attached to the surfboard or aquatic watercraft using a traditional, standard surf key. 
         [0013]    The invention further pertains and relates to a method of securing a fin of a first manufacturer to a fin box of a second, different manufacturer by means of an adapter wherein the adapter means comprises the adapters illustrated in any one of  FIG. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  7  or  8 , wherein the adapter attaches to a FCS® fin. The combination of the adapter and FCS® fin itself creates and forms a FCS® fin/adapter assembly, wherein the FCS® fin/adapter assembly attaches to a Future® fin box. The FCS® fin/assembly and Future® fin box can be located either in the center or outside positions, or both, of an aquatic sport craft. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, the present invention is generally directed to an adapter that allows a surfer to easily use and interchange the fin of one manufacturer within the fin box of a different manufacturer. In particular, the invention is directed more specifically to a surfboard adapter that enables the reliable and efficient attachment of a FCS® fin to an existing Future® fin box. In particular, the invention includes a device and methods that allow the typical surfer to engage a FCS® fin into a Future® fin box wherein the fin will remain securely attached thereto in even the most rigorous wave conditions. 
         [0015]    The invention is further directed to an adapter that allows a surfer to use Future® fins interchangeably with FCS® fin boxes on his surfboard. The adapter in both cases is suited to engage the fin and thereafter, the fin and engaged adapter can be inserted into the recesses of the desired fin box. The adapter and methods described herein expand the existing options available to a surfer, in essence allowing the surfer to use Future® fins with Future® fin boxes and, as described herein, FCS® fins with Future® fin boxes. This virtually doubles the level of variability that a surfer enjoys in employing use of the equipment that will best suit his needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts the basic configuration of invention. In particular, the adapter shown is configured with a front and rear recess so to accommodate attachment of a FCS® fin. This combination (i.e., the adapter and fin) form a fin/adapter assembly. The fin/adapter assembly then fits into a Future® fin box. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts a side profile perspective of the invention. As shown, the adapter provides for two recesses that will receive a FCS® fin and engage it securely thereto. The adapter bears a rounded front end with a flattened back end. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  depicts a view of the rear of the adapter wherein the adapter is secured to an FCS® fin via a setscrew that fits within the hole opening in the rear of the adapter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  depicts a view of the front end of the adapter wherein the adapter is secured to an FCS® fin. As shown, the opening allows for a setscrew to be inserted into the hole opening with the screw being tightened with a traditional surf key. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates an FCS® fin as it is engaged in the adapter of the invention. Specifically, the fin fits within the adapter and as shown, is ready to be mounted into a Future® fin box. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates how an FCS® fin fits into and is secured to the adapter of the invention. An FCS® fin is placed into the two recesses of the adapter and is secured by means of two set screws that are tightened and secured to the adapter using a traditional surf key, hex head 3/32 inch. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates the adapter as it is engaged in a traditional surfboard. The FCS® fin and adapter attached to one another imitate the standard Future® fin allowing for interchangeability between FCS® fins with the Future® fin box system. The adapter and FCS® fin together as one unit are secured into the Future® fin box using standard methods for attaching Future® fins to Future® fin boxes. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  also illustrates the depth of the fin Future® fin boxes. As shown, the adapter employed at the center is of different dimension than the adapter of the outside fins in order to match the depth requirements of the Future® fin box. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative perspective in which the invention is engaged with a FCS® fin and fitted into a Future® fin box. Also provided is depiction of a Future® fin engaged in a typical Future® fin box. The illustration demonstrates that the invention allows the simultaneous use of a Future® fin in a Future® fin box while also employing the adapter to attach a FCS® fin to an existing Future® fin box to the same surfboard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The present invention provides an apparatus and methods that allow a surfer to employ the fin of one manufacturer (i.e., FCS®) and to fit that fin into the fin box of another manufacturer (i.e., Future®) by means of an adapter that fits the fin to the fin box. In doing so, the invention allows the surfer greater flexibility in customizing their surfing equipment to his own configurations. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the adapter of the invention is primarily purposed to connect a FCS® fin into a Future® fin box set up. The adapter of the invention engages an FCS® fin, fitting the fin tightly so that it doesn&#39;t come loose. The fitting together of the FCS® fin and the adapter creates what is termed a fin/adapter or adapter/fin assembly. Thereafter, the user engages the adapter/FCS® fin (i.e., fin/adapter assembly) into the Future® fin box tightening the fin/adapter into the Future® fin box with a typical surf key. 
         [0027]    The adapter invention is provided in written description as well as in illustrative form in  FIGS. 1-8 . The claimed invention is the preferred embodiments as specifically provided in the Figures herein for example, in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 . The reusable and removable adapter can be attached to the center or outside positions of an aquatic sport craft such as for example, a surfboard or any other craft that employs use of fins and fin boxes, fins and fin boxes manufactured for example by FCS® and Future® respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter fitting into the center position, center fin and center fin box measures approximately a dimension of between 0.50 and 0.60 inches tall from bottom to top. The outside adapter of the invention (i.e., adapter that attaches to an outside FCS® fin and to an outside Future® fin box) measures approximately between 0.68 and 0.70 inches tall from bottom to top. 
         [0028]    As envisioned herein, in another preferred embodiment, the invention also provides differently sized adapters. The outside fin and fin boxes are of different size than the center fin and fin box of a surfboard, aquatic sport craft or other aquatic sporting equipment that employ fins and fin boxes. A section of the FCS® fin that engages the Future® fin box is taller from top to bottom on the outside fin than the center fin. In such cases, the adapter of the invention is manufactured to be taller, from top to bottom on the outside fin and shorter from top to bottom on the center fin and fin box assembly. 
         [0029]    As part of the preferred embodiment, the FCS® fin adapter can be used on a single FCS® fin and Future® fin box assembly configured on, for example, a surfboard, or the FCS® fin adapter can be used to fit up to two or more FCS® fins into up to two or more Future® fin boxes. The adapter of the invention will be reusable and removable so to be used over and over. 
         [0030]    The terms as used herein will be understood by those of relevant skill in the art of surfboards and other aquatic craft that employ use of surfboard fins and fin boxes. 
         [0031]    The term “aquatic sport craft” or the like, as used herein, refers to a surfboard or any other equipment that employs use of one or more fins and fin boxes in and during operation the surfboard or other equipment. Examples of an aquatic sport craft include but are not limited to surfboards, paddleboards and wind surfing boards. 
         [0032]    The term “adapter/fin assembly”, or the like as used herein generally refers to the adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to a fin as intended, wherein the fin is designed to fit into the fin box of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. 
         [0033]    The term “outside fin” or the like as used herein, refers to the fin that is positioned in the non-center position (i.e., left or right of center position) of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Such craft can employ two or more outside fins in their operation. Likewise, the term “outside adapter” or the like as used herein refers to an adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to a fin positioned on the outside position of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Further, as used herein, the outside fin relates to particular fin types such as for example a FCS® or Future® fin. Therefore, an outside fin is referred to as, for example, a “FCS® center fin” or the like. 
         [0034]    The term “center fin” or the like as used herein, refers to the fin that is positioned in the center position of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Generally only one center fin is employed in the operability of such craft however, it will be appreciated that more than one center fin is contemplated in the present invention. Further, as used herein, the center fin relates to particular fin types such as for example a FCS® or Future® fin. Therefore, a center fin is referred to as, for example, a “FCS® center fin” or the like. Likewise, the term “center adapter” or the like as used herein refers to an adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to a fin positioned on the center position of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. 
         [0035]    The term “outside fin/adapter assembly”, “outside adapter/fin assembly” or the like as used herein refers to the adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to a fin as designed and intended of for example, to fin within the fin box of a surfboard. The assembly is thereafter fit into the fin box of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Likewise, as used herein, the term “outside adapter/fin assembly” and the like, relates to particular fin types including FCS® and Future® for example. Further to this understanding is that a “FCS® outside fin/adapter assembly” refers to an adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to an outside FCS® fin (i.e., FCS® fin that attaches to the outside, non-center) on a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. 
         [0036]    The terms “center fin/adapter assembly”, “center adapter/fin assembly” or the like as used herein refers to the adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to a fin of for example, a surfboard. The assembly thereafter is designed to fit into the fin box of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Likewise, as used herein, the term “center adapter/fin assembly” and the like, relates to particular fin types including FCS® and Future® for example. Further to this understanding is that a “FCS® center fin/adapter assembly” refers to an adapter of the invention wherein the adapter is attached to an center FCS® fin (i.e., FCS® fin that attaches to the center position) on a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft. Similarly, the terms “fin/adapter assembly”, “adapter/fin assembly” refers to such an assembly that will engage a fin box in either the center or outside positions on for example, a surfboard. 
         [0037]    The term “outside fin box” or the like as used herein generally refers to the fin box of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft wherein the fin box is configured and located in the left or right (i.e., non-center) position on the surfboard or craft. The term is also understood to include an outside fin box produced by a particular manufacturer such as Future® or FCS®. In describing a fin box manufactured by, for example, Future®, the fin box is described as a “Future® fin box” or similarly. 
         [0038]    Likewise, the term “center fin box” or the like as used herein generally refers to the fin box of a surfboard or other aquatic sport craft wherein the fin box is configured and located in the center position of the surfboard or craft. The term also refers to particular manufacturers. For example, as used herein, a center fin box can be referred to as a “center Future® fin box” or the like, in the instance in which the fin box is configured into the center position of a surfboard and is manufactured by Future®. 
         [0039]    The terms “attached to”, “engages with”, “mounting”, “mounted to” or the like as used herein refers to the engaging or attachment of two or more articles so that they fit together as intended and fit securely to one another. An example of the term is the instance in which a typical surfboard fin fits into (i.e., attaches to) the cavity of a fin box that has been built into the surfboard and to which the fin has been designed to fit. The term can also refer to the attachment of an adapter of the invention to a surfboard fin, the combination of which forms a fin/adapter or adapter/fin assembly. The term can also refer to the attachment of the adapter/fin assembly into the cavity of a fin box that has been built into a surfboard, with all attachments forming intended and secure attachments for each article. The terms also refer to the attachment of a fin/adapter assembly that is placed into the cavity and recesses of a fin box. 
         [0040]    The term “fin” or the like as used herein, refers to the piece of equipment that is used on a surfboard of other type of aquatic sport craft wherein the fin assists in directing the craft to a desirable direction or motion by a user with the fin being designed to fit within the fin box. The fin as understood by those of skill in the art are located and configured on the lower portion of the craft with most aquatic sport craft possessing one or more fins per craft. Manufacturers of fins include FCS® and Future®. 
         [0041]    Turning now to the substance of  FIGS. 1 to 8  and the preferred embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 1  provides a isometric view perspective of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the adapter  10  is configured with several elements including front and rear slots  11   a ,  11   b , that act to engage the FCS® fin tabs  26   a ,  26   b  holding the tabs securely thereto. The adapter is further configured with a front curved end  15  and a slotted rear section  14  both of which act to engage the fitted configuration of the typical Future® fin box. In order to secure the fin/adapter combination to the Future® fin box two screws and screw holes are included in the adapter wherein a user can secure the entire assembly with a surf key. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a side view perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Specifically, as shown, the adapter  10  is configured with cavities  11   a ,  11   b  that accommodate the tabs of a FCS® fin  26   a ,  26   b  therein. The rear slotted section  14  of the adapter element provides a recess  14  wherein the rear fin/adapter assembly will fit into the rear recess of a Future® fin box. As shown, the rear recess also provides a rear screw hole  12  wherein a screw fits to secure the rear section of the adapter to the Future® fin box. The front curved section of the adapter element  15  is also fitted with a screw hole  13  wherein the adapter/fin assembly is secured to the front-end recess of a Future® fin box. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates the rear slotted section of the adapter  10  wherein the slotted section  14  allows for fitting of the rear section of a Future® fin box therein. As shown, a user will employ use of a typical surf screw so to secure the rear section of the adapter/fin assembly into the rear section of a Future® fin box. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates the front curved section of the adapter  10  wherein the curved section  15  allows for fitting of the front section of a Future® fin box therein. As shown, a user will employ use of a typical surf screw so to secure the front curved section of the adapter/fin assembly into the front section of the Future® fin box. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of the adapter/fin assembly. As shown, the adapter of the invention  10  is engaged to and fitted onto a FCS® fin  16  and secured thereto. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  illustrates how the adapter element  10  is engaged into the FCS® fin  16 . As shown, the FCS® fin tabs  26   a ,  26   b  are moved into the recesses of the adapter  11   a ,  11   b . The FCS® fin is thereafter secured to the adapter by means of a surf screw  17   a ,  17   b  in both the front and rear sections of the adapter wherein the screws are fit through screw holes  12 ,  13  in both the front and rear sections of the FCS® fin box cavity. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective of the invention wherein different sized adapters  16  of the invention are employed for either the center or outside fin positions on a surfboard or aquatic sport device  22 . As shown, the center fin adapter  10   a  of the invention is employed to secure the center FCS® fin  16  to the center Future® fin box  27 . Likewise, the outside fin adapter  10   b  is designed to fit the outside FCS® fin  16  and thereafter fit into the recess of the Future® fin box  18 . The illustration further provides that the depth measurements between the outside and center fin adapters are different. For example, the adapter for the outside FCS® fin is longer from top to bottom  30  than is the measurement for the center FCS® fin adapter which is narrower from top to bottom  29 . As previously described, the fin adapters  10   a ,  10   b  are secured to both the center and outside FCS® fins and thereafter to the Future® fin box by means of screws  19  which act to secure the fin/adapter assembly into the recess of the Future® fin box. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates how the adapter of the invention  10   b  is able to secure a FCS® fin  16  and how the adapter can be used for an individual fin. As shown, the adapter  10   b  is secured to a FCS® fin  16  on the outside fin position (top section of the illustration). In the center fin position however, the illustration also demonstrates that a Future® fin  21  can be used in a typical Future® fin box  27  and secured to a surfboard  22  like usual. Any combination or configuration of the FCS® fin adapter assembly and Future® fin can be used in the surfboard. The right outside section of the illustration shows that the adapter/fin assembly is fitted into a Future® fin box and secured by means of a surf screw and surf key  20 . Accordingly, the invention does not require special tools to employ its use beyond what is typically used in the course of normal use of this type of equipment. 
         [0049]    To manufacture the adapter of the invention, materials and methods as known in the art can be employed. For example, in preparing the adapter on a small scale (i.e., 100 units or fewer), the adapter will be created using CNC milling. The CNC machine automatically cuts the ABS plastic using a preprogrammed G-code from a 3D CAD model. This process therefore, allows for low start-up cost when producing the adapter on a small scale of 100 units or less. On a larger production scale, manufacturing will turn to plastic injection molding. 
         [0050]    The plastic injection mold will be prepared from an aluminum alloy and created using a CNC machine. A negative mold will be injected with ABS plastic. The ABS plastic takes the shape of the mold making a positive part from the mold. There will be two jaws on the mold that open and close allowing the ABS plastic to be injected when closed then opened to release the adapter, known as the clam shell technique. 
         [0051]    There are two techniques available in order to create the threading for the part where the two set screws will be used, located on either side of the adapter. Firstly, a through hole can be tapped to make thread and secondly a threaded insert may be installed. Each allowing, respectively, for a setscrew or socket head cap screw to be tightened upon the FCS® fin. 
         [0052]    For manufacturing the adapter, materials such as those known in the art are utilized. For example, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer is used however, other materials such as polyurethane, silicone resin, poly (vinyl acetate) and other appropriate materials including for example aluminum and other metal based alloys, may be used likewise. The adapter can also be prepared using a more rigid material such as silicone based polymers or Teflon in which the material is molded at melting point temperatures and cooled to produce the necessary size and shape. 
         [0053]    The FCS® fin teeth are thinner than the Future® fin box by forty thousand of an inch leaving the FCS® fin moving freely and loosely when inserted into a Future® fin box. The adapter adds material to the thickness of the FCS® teeth allowing the fin and adapter to grab the inside of the Future® fin box. The added thickness results in constructive interference that exerts outward force on the Future® fin box and inward force on the FCS® fin. These forces prevent the FCS® fin from wiggling while in the Future® fin box. 
         [0054]    There are four physical directions the FCS® fin could move within the Future® fin box: X, Y, Z, and degree of rotation (wiggle). The X direction is parallel with the length of the fin box, measured at 4.40 inches. The Y direction is parallel with the thickness of the fin box, measured at 0.283 inches. The Z direction is parallel to the depth of the fin box, measured at 0.696 inches. The X direction is locked into place by the two FCS® tabs that fit into the adapter with a rectangular shape and are constrained into position by two set screws located on either side of the adapter. The Y direction is locked into place by the adapter&#39;s material thickness between the two FCS® fin tabs and the inside wall of the Future® fin box. The added thickness results in constructive interference preventing the fin from wiggling or having a degree of rotation. The Z direction is constrained by the depth of the adapters two rectangular tab where the Future® fin sits into, it is also constrained by the set screws on either side. 
         [0055]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention the adapter can be configured to fit an FCS® fin wherein the FCS® fin will thereafter fit into a Future® fin box. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the adapter will be configured to engage a Future® fin wherein the engaged adapter/Future® fin will then be able to fit into the cavity of a FCS® fin box. The adapter in both cases will be secured by tightening the screws of the fin and fin box arrangements with a typical surf key 
         [0056]    Certain advantages can be obtained in utilizing the present invention. Foremost, the invention allows a user the flexibility of tailoring their surfing equipment to his own specific needs. For example, the user can mix and match an FCS® fin and use it with for example, a Future® fin box. Benefits of the present invention over the prior art also include the ability to save money on purchasing an entire set of fins if only one fin needs replacing. 
         [0057]    Although the invention has been described with reference to the above examples, it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.