Removable and adjustable surf fin system

Abstract

A fin plug assembly to receive and engage a fin includes a cavity, a cam with gears, and a worm gear. The fin plug assembly allows a quick and easy fore-aft adjustment of the fin. Disclosed also is a method of installing the fin plug assembly in a surfboard using a one-piece complete control jig system including the step of providing additional structural strength by removing and/or spiking the foam material in the body of the surfboard.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A removable fin mounting assembly comprising: 
 a fin;    a fin plug assembly defining a cavity adapted to receive a portion of said fin;    a cam having gears, said cam positioned within said fin plug assembly adjacent to said cavity; and    a worm gear positioned within said fin plug assembly and adapted to engage with said gears of said cam, wherein turning said worm gear causes said cam to rotate and secure said portion of said fin received in said cavity.    
     
     
         2 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , said fin further comprising a tab wherein said tab is received in said cavity.  
     
     
         3 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the length of said cavity is greater than the length of said tab allowing a fore-aft adjustment of said fin within said cavity.  
     
     
         4 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , said cam further comprising a flat portion and a bulging portion.  
     
     
         5 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein turning said worm gear in one direction rotates said cam to an engaging position while turning said worm gear in an opposite direction rotates said cam to a disengaging position.  
     
     
         6 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said bulging portion of said cam is aligned with said fin in said engaging position while said flat portion of said cam is aligned with said fin in said disengaging position.  
     
     
         7 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said bulging portion includes a rubber material.  
     
     
         8 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , said worm gear further comprising an opening adapted to receive a means for turning said worm gear.  
     
     
         9 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said opening is substantially rectangular and said means for turning said worm gear includes a plastic key, a screwdriver, and a car or house key.  
     
     
         10 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin includes a rubber material.  
     
     
         11 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin has a side surface, said side surface being adjacent to said cam when said fin is received in said cavity.  
     
     
         12 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin has a side surface having a concave portion, said concave portion being adjacent to said cam when said fin is received in said cavity.  
     
     
         13 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin has a side surface having a cut out portion, said cut out portion being adjacent to said cam when said fin is received in said cavity.  
     
     
         14 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an upper part and a lower part, wherein said upper part includes a plurality of supporting arms.  
     
     
         15 . A fin mounting assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said fin plug assembly is adapted to be embedded in a body of a surfboard.  
     
     
         16 . A fin mounting assembly comprising: 
 a fin plug assembly defining a cavity adapted to receive a portion of a fin;    a cam having gears, a bulging portion and a flat portion, wherein said cam is positioned adjacent to said cavity and adapted to rotate; and    a worm gear positioned vertically in said fin plug assembly and adapted to engage with said gears of said cam, wherein turning said worm gear in one direction rotates said cam to an engaging position while turning said worm gear in an opposite direction rotates said cam to a disengaging position.    
     
     
         17 . A fin mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said bulging portion is aligned with a side surface of said fin in said engaging position while said flat portion is aligned with said side surface of said fin in said disengaging position.  
     
     
         18 . A fin mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said fin is adapted to move fore-aft within said cavity.  
     
     
         19 . A fin comprising: 
 a body portion defining a hydrodynamic foil, said body portion configured to extend generally perpendicularly relative to a lower surface of a surfcraft; and    a mounting portion attached to said body portion, said mounting portion configured to be received and frictionally held in a cavity defined by a fin plug assembly embedded in said surfcraft.    
     
     
         20 . A fin according to  claim 19 , wherein said mounting portion includes a soft, malleable material.  
     
     
         21 . A fin according to  claim 20 , wherein said soft, malleable material is rubber.  
     
     
         22 . A fin according to  claim 19 , wherein said mounting portion includes at least one tab.  
     
     
         23 . A combination comprising: 
 a fin having one and more tabs; and    one and more fin plug assemblies, each fin plug assembly defining a cavity adapted to receive at least one tab of said fin, wherein said fin plug assembly comprises: 
 a cam having gears, a bulging portion and a flat portion, wherein said cam is positioned adjacent to said cavity and adapted to rotate; and  
 a worm gear positioned vertically in said fin plug assembly and adapted to engage with said gears of said cam, wherein turning said worm gear in one direction rotates said cam to an engaging position while turning said worm gear in an opposite direction rotates said cam to a disengaging position.  
   
     
     
         24 . A combination of  claim 23 , wherein said bulging portion is aligned with a side surface of said tab in said engaging position while said flat portion is aligned with said side surface of said tab in said disengaging position.  
     
     
         25 . A combination of  claim 23 , wherein said fin is adapted to move fore-aft within said cavity.  
     
     
         26 . A combination of  claim 23 , wherein said cavity has a built in tilt angle.  
     
     
         27 . A combination of  claim 23 , wherein said built in tilt angle is 3°-5°.  
     
     
         28 . A method of installing a fin plug assembly in a surfboard comprising: 
 positioning a complete control jig system on a lower surface of said surfboard where said fin plug assembly is to be embedded;    removing a center portion of said complete control jig system;    creating a mounting cavity within said surfboard, said mounting cavity having a substantially same shape and size as said center portion;    positioning said fin plug assembly within said mounting cavity, wherein said fin plug assembly has a plurality of supporting arms;    removing depth cut outs of said complete control jig system;    aligning and positioning said supporting arms of said fin plug assembly into said depth cut outs;    filling said mounting cavity with a resin; and    sanding off said complete control jig system, a top surface and said supporting arms of said fin plug assembly.    
     
     
         29 . A method of  claim 28 , further comprising fitting a dummy fin into said fin plug assembly.  
     
     
         30 . A method of  claim 28 , further comprising placing a variable amount of putty into said depth cut outs and adjusting a vertical tilt angle of said fin plug assembly.  
     
     
         31 . A method of  claim 28 , wherein said center portion and said depth cut outs are pre-cut.  
     
     
         32 . A method of  claim 28 , wherein said center portion is in a substantially same shape as an outline of said fin plug assembly.  
     
     
         33 . A method of  claim 28 , further comprising removing materials extending from said mounting cavity and creating a space for said resin to fill.  
     
     
         34 . A method of  claim 33 , said space extends substantially to a skin of an upper surface of said surfboard.  
     
     
         35 . A method of  claim 28 , further comprising spiking and compressing materials extending from said mounting cavity.  
     
     
         36 . A method of  claim 35 , said spiking extends substantially to a skin of an upper surface of said surfboard.