Fin assembly

Abstract

A fin assembly ( 10 ) is provided for detachably removing a fin ( 112 ) in a surfboard ( 13 ). The fin ( 12 ) has a mounting base ( 26 ) and spigots ( 22 and 23 ) projecting from front and rear positions on the base ( 26 ). A socket mounting ( 11 ) defining at least complementary front and rear sockets ( 15 and 16 ) for receiving the spigots ( 22 and 23 ) is provided for inclusion in the board ( 13 ) for releasably mounting the fin ( 12 ) to the board. A grub screw or screws ( 35 ) is/are provided for securing the fin ( 12 ) in said mouting ( 11 ).

The claims defining this invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A fin assembly including: 
 a fin body having a mounting base and spigots projecting from front and rear positions on the base;    a socket mounting for inclusion in a board for releasably mounting the fin assembly to the board, the socket mounting defining at least complementary front and rear sockets for receiving said spigots;    alignment means for maintaining operative alignment of the sockets whereby the spigots may freely enter and be withdrawn therefrom, and    releasable securing means for securing the fin assembly in said mounting.    
     
     
         2 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alignment means is a channel member formed with its open face opening to a common side with said sockets.  
     
     
         3 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the spigots have a substantially constant fore and aft section throughout their length and slope either forwardly or rearwardly from the fin body.  
     
     
         4 . A fin assembly including: 
 a fin body having a mounting base and spigots projecting from front and rear positions on the base;    a complementary front socket and a complementary rear socket for inclusion in a board for receiving the spigots for releasably mounting the fin assembly to the board;    releasable securing means for securing the fin assembly in said mounting, wherein 
 the spigots have a substantially constant fore and aft section throughout their length and slope either forwardly or rearwardly from the fin body.  
   
     
     
         5 . A fin assembly including: 
 a fin body having a base and a tip and opposed major surfaces extending from the base to the tip and a spigot projecting from at least a major portion of the base;    a socket mounting for inclusion in a board and providing a socket for receiving the spigot for releasably mounting the fin assembly to the board, and    releasable securing means for securing the spigot in said mounting.    
     
     
         6 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the spigot suitably has a substantially rectangular cross-section forming front and rear walls which are parallel to one another and which slope either forwardly or rearwardly from the fin body.  
     
     
         7 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spigot or spigots include one or more lateral projections from either or both sides thereof and disposed parallel to the front and rear faces of the spigot.  
     
     
         8 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front and rear faces of the spigot incline forwardly or rearwardly and the fin body is positively restrained by one releasable securing element.  
     
     
         9 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the securing element secures either a front face of a forwardly sloping spigot or a rear face a rearwardly sloping spigot.  
     
     
         10 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fin body and the socket mounting are moulded of plastics material.  
     
     
         11 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the socket mounting is formed as a one piece plastics moulding and of relatively stiff material.  
     
     
         12 . A fin assembly as claimed in  claim 10  or  claim 11 , wherein the socket mounting is formed as a dumb bell or dog bone shaped housing and accommodates front and rear lateral extensions of the spigot or spigots in the enlarged end sections of the socket mounting.  
     
     
         13 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spigots and complementary sockets are of cruciform form in section.  
     
     
         14 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket mounting is formed with a channel shaped intermediate portion which accommodates an intermediate spigot portion.  
     
     
         15 . A fin assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket mounting is formed with an upstanding collar about its top wall and surrounding the socket or sockets and with temporary supports spaced outwardly from the collar and terminating at or adjacent the level of the top wall.  
     
     
         16 . A method of fitting a fin assembly to a board, including: 
 providing a fin assembly as claimed in claim  15 ;    forming a recess in the board to accommodate the socket mounting;    temporarily suspending the socket mounting in the recess on the temporary supports engaged with the surface of the board surrounding the recess;    filling the space in the recess surrounding the socket mounting with a bonding agent and allowing it to set;    removing the collar and temporary supports, and as required    securing the spigot or spigots on the fin body into the socket or sockets in the socket mounting.